Fernando
|
Fernando manages to make it back to his tree house with no one else bothering him. As he walks by the living room to get to his bedroom, he finds nobody home. He then goes to his laptop and starts typing in a few codes into his chronoserver. A bright flash of light around and about the place signifies that the house in interphased out of time by a microsecond, making sure that no on can come in or out of the house but still be able to send in electronic and/or photonic messages back and forth to those within. He closes his laptop and heads to the bedroom. Taking off his glasses, he goes about what is known to a few as his "Isolation Chamber', for with the shutters in place and the lights are off, the room is a very dark and quiet place as per his liking. He walks about the room in darkness, taking off his clothing and puts them on the table that can not be seen in the dark place. He then walks over to his bed and sits on it for a minute before climbing under the covers and blankets where it will warm. Of all the basic needs a man has to have, food and rest is 2 that Fernando treasures most. Fernando takes one last stretch before retiring, then he notices that he is not alone. Fernando: Tammy, I hope that is not you I'm feeling behind me. Tammy: Why not, you don't love me anymore? Fernando (turning around under the covers to face her): Tammy, I'm not the Fernando that you married. Tammy: But you are the one and the same. Fernando: How so? Tammy: I figure that if you hopstotched your way around Time, that you must be the same Fernando that I married. Fernando: But I'm not the same Fernando. Tammy: Prove it. Fernando: Its virtually impossible to do that, and you know it. Tammy: If its impossible to prove it, it must be because you are the same Fernando I married before he died, but because you hopstotched your way to the future for some reason, you saved yourself from getting killed or you will be killed in the future when you travel to the past to marry me. Fernando: Tammy, you're making no sense here. Tammy: Then prove that you are not Fernando. Fernando: The Fernando you know was #2. The first Fernando was killed shortly after "our accident' that made us one with All Time. That Fernando was killed by the Orions who are a race of self proclaimed Time Police. They basically go after any other race that discovers Time Travel and tries to destroy them. Fernando discovered this and allowed the Orions to come close to Earth, only to unleash a runaway ORG on their armada. He died of radiation poisoning 4 days later. With the Orions gone, the time machine turned on and out came out the Fernando you knew shortly after the first one died. This is Fernando #2- the one you married. Aiesha's father was the original Fernando, or Fernando #1.Fernando #2 did do a lot of hopstoching about through time, even trips to the future. He developed the Time Traveling laptops, befriended a red-haired chipmunk name Jeanette, did a lot of things, some good, and some bad. But it took him a while to get beyond what happened that day that killed the first Fernando. Headaches would set in, memories clash, things that should be were not. Welcome to the world of Temporal Psychosis. And only he had it in the worst of ways. Then there was convincing his old friends that he was actually still alive. Well, as you can see, his old friends are not around. In fact it was his daughter that accepted him as her father from those days. Now, give or take 15 years since then, we are here now. Your Fernando- Fernando #2 is dead. I, Fernando #3 is here, alive. It is not going to be easy for me to live his life. I don't share the same feelings or emotions that he may have had with others, and I do not agree to many of the memories of events that occurred. I have not accepted this universe for what it is, and I have not accepted your love of me Tammy. I could be down right evil and use you for my whims and desires, but fortunately for you, we Fernando's do not operate in that fashion. I don't know what it is that holds us back from hurting others like you, but don't push your luck with me- what you make take as a start to a romantic and intimate interlude can easily end up as a rape. And you being in this bed can be deemed as something that you started. Do you understand what I'm trying to say? Tammy: I do, but you would never do anything to hurt me. I know that. Fernando: And I said that I am not to be trusted. Now get out of my bed! Tammy slowly kneels up, sniffling. Fernando (sitting up): Tammy, don't cry. Tammy's sniffles begin to become shorter and more frequent. Fernando: Tammy, just don't. You're a grown woman for god's sake. Tammy: Women *sniff* cry *sniff* too...*sniff* We're *sniff* supposed *sniff* too *sniff*... Fernando: Tammy did not go through all this crap of rescuing her sister so she can cry on some guy's bed! Tammy: But *sniff* You're *sniff* Not *sniff* Just *sniff* Some *sniff* Guy *sniff*, You're *sniff* My *sniff* Husband...! *WHAAAAA!* At this point Tammy releases all the barriers holding back the waters of Hoover Dam. At the same time she goes for his shoulder and holds on crying. Fernando catches her as to make sure that she does not fall to either side or off the bed. Fernando: Tammy (*WHAAA!*) Don't! (*WHAAA!*) STOP (*WHAAA!*) CRYING! (*WHAAA!*) TAMMY!!! (*WHAAA!*) I (*WHAAA!*) Don't (*WHAAA!*) Want (*WHAAA!*) To (*WHAAA!*) Do (*WHAAA!*)This! (*WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!*) Fernando takes Tammy by the shoulders and gives her a hard shake but she is still out of emotional control. In fact, she starts hitting a his chest with the sides of her fist, still crying that she wants her husband. Fernando lets go of his right hand off her and smacks her across the face with it. Tammy freezes in silence after giving a loud yelp. They both stare at each other through the darkness that their eyes had gotten used too. Fernando: I'm sorry. Tammy: No... I'm the one that should be sorry. And I am. After a second of silence. Tammy: Thank you, I needed... that. Fernando: Look Tammy... I don't... generally hit... women. Tammy: I understand, I was of control... Wasn't I? Fernando: Yes, but... Women are supposed to be emotional Tammy: Emotional, yes. Not out of control. Again, thank you. Tammy leans over to him and holds him. Unsure of what to do, he puts his arms around her. Tammy: Forgive me. I have been such a fool. Fernando: Two wrongs don't make a right, Tammy. Tammy: Husband or not, I'm in love with you, Fernando. Nothing is going to change that. Fernando: But I'm not the Fernando you fell in love with. Tammy: You share his memories, his feelings, his experiences. You are everything he ever was. Fernando: But I don't agree with it though, that is where the differences lie. Tammy: You do not agree that deep down in your heart that you love me too, as much as I do you? Fernando: The emotion is there, but I do not acknowledge it. Tammy: And why not? Fernando: Because- out there somewhere is Fernando's killer. And that killer will do anything to finish the job that was started- that means killing you. So before I can go back to relationships and fulfilling desires of emotion and flesh, I have to take care of that first! If not for my revenge, then for your safety! Do you understand that? Tammy gulps. Fernando (continues): Fernando was not the intended target but rather an opportune one. With you here, you are now safe, as long as you listen to my instructions! And as long as you listen to my instructions, I will not have to through the memories of burying another loved one! And until I can get this resolved, you and I are not a couple, we are not dating we are nothing more than cafŽ buddies and friends. Do I make myself clear? Tammy nervously nods. Fernando: Good. Now unless you want a quickie fling or an update on your sexual education, I would advise you to get out of this bed and LEAVE ME ALONE! Tammy starts sniffling again. Fernando: Come on woman- don't cry, I swear! Tammy tries her best again not to cry. Fernando: Look, Tammy. For now, while you are here in the area of the cafe, you are safe. Don't leave it, don't go downtown shopping, don't go to Italy- all for the time being until I can get this solved. Nor am I going to say that I love you, because I do not want to be distracted by you. And I do not want you to talk about me as if I am still alive- because that will signal to the outside world that I am not dead and buried in Italy when I actually am. With me dead, this makes my job easy to do. Upset that, and I will be upset at you. Tammy leans over to him and holds on to him. Fernando: TAMMY! Tammy: I do not want to let you go! Fernando (struggles to push her away): Let Me Go, I Need My Rest, Damn It! Tammy: Rest? Fernando: YES! Tammy: But, you woke up a few hours ago... Fernando: Do Deal with What Is Going On In My Head, I Need My Rest, Girl... Now If You Want Me To Eventually Love You, You Will Have To Leave Me Alone So My Mind CAN HEAL! So If You Don't Mind.... LEAVE ME ALONE! Tammy slowly withdraws, biting on her lower lip. Then she gets out of the bed, puts on a bathrobe, gathers her things she had neatly stacked on the table, and walks over to the bed. Fernando had already buried himself under the blankets and pillows, nonetheless, Tammy leans over and kisses where she thinks his head was- although it was a pillow she kissed and not his head that was under it. Fernando does not stir as she thought he would. She then quietly walks out of the room and to the living room, closing the door behind her. Tammy walks about the house and then starts cleaning it up. - - - - - Fernando: How can I help you? Red-Haired Mouse: Don't you remember me? Fernando: Anne? It cant be... Anne: Why? Because you killed me? Fernando: I did what had to be done- you took Tammy's gun and was going to use it. Anne: Does that make it justifiable? Fernando: I did what I had to do, Anne. I don't expect you to forgive me in that. Anne: But I do forgive you. Fernando: You do? Anne: Can I come in? I need some rest. The injuries you gave me tire me out so easily. Fernando: Well, uhm... Anne: Oh, you busy? Got company or something? Fernando: I'm about to leave in a few minutes... for a wedding. Anne: Yours? Fernando: Afraid so. Anne: Who is she? Is she that red-headed squirrel... what her name... Tammy? Fernando: It is. Anne: I can wait with you. I would like to go and see it happen... you and her getting married. Fernando glances over to the alarm panel which said that Annie was not carrying anything that could be considered as a weapon. He then walks away from the door, leaving it open. Anne enters the place behind him, not closing the door. She follows him to the dining area. Anne: Can I have something to drink, water would be best. Fernando: Uhm, hold on. Fernando walks around the service island into the kitchen and gets out a clean glass for her. He fills it with ice and then water. Anne had found his gun neatly holster away on the table. She quietly removes it from the holster and takes aim to him. He turns to put the glass on the service island, seeing Anne having his weapon already aimed at him. Fernando: You don't want to do that. Anne: I don't? Understand where I am. You killed my lover and then you tried to kill me. Fernando: If he did not pull out his gun, then I would not had killed him. Anne: You had your gun between my breasts, he was trying to defend me! Fernando: All I wanted was answers, I did not wanted to shoot you. But since your kind of people only listen to ideas at the end of a gun, I had little choice. Anne: You want those answers? Yes, it was one of our bombs. We wanted to blow up that plane with the SWA personnel in it. We wanted to end the Frankensteinian work that they do. It is not fair what they do to those girls. They had to be stopped, their work had to end. Fernando: At the price of innocent lives? Anne: Innocent people always get hurt when opposing sides clash. Fernando: You knew that I was to pilot that plane back, didn't you? Anne: The cockpit would have remained intact in the explosion, you are a flying squirrel, you would have survived. Fernando: But not my daughter. Anne: Daughter? Fernando: Dr. Aiesha G. She was part of the group trying to undo the conditioning and cyborgnetic implants of the girls. Anne: She would have survived. Fernando: How so? Anne: She's a flying squirrel like you, she would have flown like you would have. Fernando: She is only 1/2 flying squirrel. She would have landed too hard in the water and be killed from the impact. That is if she would not have been killed or hurt by the initial explosions that would have taken out the fuel tanks, spilling flaming fuel into the passenger section. Anne: You lie. Fernando: And you're letting yourself be blinded by your own actions. Anne: Like you know what it is like to be blind. You just wear those glasses just for show. Fernando: Think what you like. Anne: Think what I know. Fernando: What about Tammy? Anne: What about her? Fernando: She would have been on that flight too. All she ever wanted was to recover her sister Bink. Anne: Innocent lives have to pay the price when they agree with the guilty. Fernando: At the time, she did not side with them. She only wanted to recover her sister Bink from them. Now you are going to deny her a marriage, a family, and happiness? If you are going to kill me then go a head and just do it. You are no better than the terrorists you build your bombs for. Or you can be better than them and put the gun down. Anne: You denied me those things when you killed Franco. Now tell me, Fernando. Are you afraid to die? Fernando: No I am not. Fernando takes a step towards Anne. Fernando: Give me the gun. You don't want to do this. Anne: What do you know what I want? Fernando: Because I know. Anne: All I wanted was to eliminate the SWA. Stop the government from what they were doing to the girls. I wanted to save those girls from what was being done to them! Fernando: If you were, you and Franco would not have been targeting and bombing all of Italy. Trying to stop the major government construction projects like the Sicilian Bridge, or churches and museums. Anne: That's Not True, And YOU KILLED FRANCO! A shot rings out, Fernando get hit near center of his chest. Breathing for him just become difficult, the pain unbearable, nerve signals to his legs and lower body: gone. His white wedding shirt, turning bright red at the site of impact and spreading fast. But yet he manages to holds on to the island to keep him standing. He looks at his shirt as it turns from white to red before looking back at her. Fernando: You... don't... know... what... you... have... done. Anne: I got rid of one rat... There is still one more to kill when I find her. Fernando: Who... would... that... be? Anne: Your wife to be. Fernando:...Why? Anne: Because she has Bink. I wanted Bink as I wanted all the others. Fernando: You... have... a... de...mented... mat...ternal... instinct... Anne: You going to die or do I have to shoot you again. Fernando stumbles a bit as he gets weak. Fernando: As... long... as... I... still... stand... there... is... hope... Unfortunately, Fernando falls to the floor at this point. He pants heavily for air though it does not help. What little blood remains in his brain does not make it to his lungs or back to his brain but rather to his wound where it escapes to the outside world. Anne walks around the dining area to where Fernando was in the kitchen. Fernando: You... don't... know... what... you... have... done. Anne: See you in hell, you #$@!ing bastard... Fernando stops breathing, his brain starts to shutdown, his life starts to end. The blankets and pillow gets thrown to the side, and a sweat covered squirrel sits up breathing heavy. Confused, he looks around, hearing the roar of a vacuum cleaner in the back ground. His breathing becomes easier. He puts his hand to his chest, finding it warm and wet but from sweat and not blood as he had first thought. He moves his leg and then wiggle his toes. He shakes his head to try to set reality into place. Systems diagnostics seem to pass, at least for this body. The dream sequence is replayed outside of dreamscape, the red haired mouse, the talk, the gun, the talk continues then the shot to the chest. The dream continues on the last 1 minute of its events, zooming in on the red haired mouse. Fernando: Annie... but how?!! - - - - - A cellphone rings and a hand reaches to answer it. "Hello?" gruff and husky voice answers. "Huh? Chloroform? Where am I going to get that? Italy? So soon? Hold on Boss Squirrel Man... 2 hours? Well... Yes, See you in the cafŽ then." The call is disconnected, and the cellphone is hung up, put into sleep mode. He looks about his place, locks the door, and walks to his truck, throwing a duffle bag of personal items inside before stepping in himself and drives away. - - - - - After taking a quick shower, Fernando changes his attire to a more casual one. He then goes about his room, looking for a gun that does not exists because it was stolen. He did find his NAA .32 within the suit he wears. He searches further and finds a few 10-round magazines filled with ammunition. He pockets them and puts the gun into a clip on holster which he places into his back onto belt and inside his pants, hidden by his bushy tail. For a moment he goes to his laptop and types a few commands, tying in his pda to it for a network connection and data transfer. The last item he puts on is his camera watch even though he takes his glasses. He walks out his room as he stuffs his wallet and pda into his pants in different pockets. Tammy was struggling with putting the vacuum cleaner in the hall closet, still dressed in her bathrobe and little else underneath. Fernando steps up behind her, reaches into the closet, turns the vacuum clean around and fits it into the space inside. Fernando: It only goes in 1 way. Tammy: Oh... I did not know that. Fernando: You better put something on, at least look descent when in my house. Tammy (looking at herself inside her robe): Uhm... Fernando: Wife, girlfriend or not, too many people walk in and out of this house because it is also my personal office. I can not have a naked secretary and house cleaner if you are going to spend time with me. Tammy: But... I got underwear on, and I can tie up the robe if people come in. Fernando: You missed the point. Get dressed as if you are ready for business because this is a place of business. Not a place where women walk around naked like some gentlemen's club. Tammy: Gentlemen's club? Fernando: A Stripper's Joint. Tammy: Oh... Uhm... Fernando: Just get dressed. Tammy: Uhm... yeah. Tammy steps away from between Fernando and the closet, closing the door. Fernando: Tammy? Tammy (stopping in midstep and turns to Fernando): Yes? Fernando grabs her and holds her against him, giving her a more then intimate kiss lasting longer than it should have. At first she struggles for a second or two but then gives in to it. And as suddenly as he started it, he ends it. Tammy leans against the wall panting for air. Tammy: What... was... that... for? Fernando: In case I don't come back, to give you something that you want. Tammy: But... Fernando: Would you prefer if I take you to the bedroom and do you lovely? Tammy: Uhm... No... Fernando: No? Tammy: If you don't love me, then when mock my feelings? Fernando: I told you- first I deal with what I told you before. Then if you want, we can work on a relationship. But until then, when I leave, I will give you a little something in case something happens that makes it so I do not return. Tammy: Don't do it then. Fernando: Why not? Tammy: Why? Because I am not worth it. I just a squirrel who gathers acorns and nuts and hibernate during winters. I'm not famous or powerful, nor am I going to save the world. There are others more important to save than just me. Fernando: In my point of view, you are worth saving, as you are worth loving and having as a girlfriend and as a wife. And who knows, maybe you will save the world, but you wont know unless you try. Tammy: But... Fernando: Cut it out with your self doubts. I swear Tammy- you were strong back in Italy. What has made you into a whimpering little squirrel puppy? Tammy: You did... Holding your dead body against my, not accepting what has happened, hoping that it has never happened. Hoping that you would return to me and that things would be alright. But its not! Why...? Tammy starts to hit on Fernando's chest before stopping and leaning against him crying. Fernando holds her though he can not answer her. She cries for a long time as he continues to hold her. After a while, she stops, and steps back, looking at his shirt. Tammy: I'm sorry. Fernando: What for? Tammy: I messed up your shirt. Fernando opens the closet and pulls out a cleaning pen from a box within. Fernando (as he scribbles the shirt with the pen): Its OK, really. Tammy: Would you want me to make dinner? Fernando: No. We'll go out if I return. Tammy: Can I ask where you are going? Fernando: Somewhere far away. But, I'll call when I am returning home. Is that alright with you? Tammy just nods. Fernando: Look, get dressed and lets see what this day has to bring. Tammy (nodding her head): OK. Fernando reaches over to her and brings her close to him. He then kisses her on the forehead before letting her go and walks out the door. Fernando steps out several steps from the tree, pulls out his pda, tapping some code on the screen. A light flashes about the tree as if somebody had taken a picture of it with a camera flash. He then continues onward to the cafŽ. Tammy goes into his room, turning on the lights and pulling out her suitcase from his closet, pulling out a fresh set of clothes and other items before going to the bathroom to freshen up. Fernando takes his seat at his table at the cafŽ to order a small lunch. Along the way he picks up a newspaper from the squirrel pup who sells them by the door. He starts to read it as the waiter goes to his table. Waiter: What will be your order, sir? Fernando: Lets see... Make it a t-bone- medium rare- with a baked potato and grilled vegetables. I'll take a carafe of red wine with that but I'll start with a bit of the green fairy first. Waiter: Green Fairy? Fernando: Absinthe. You know how to prepare it, right? Waiter: Uhm... Fernando: Just put it in a jigger glass and serve it straight. Waiter (as he writes it down): Yes sir. Fernando: And step on it. I'm starving. Waiter: Is that all sir? Fernando: I'm expecting company. What ever they order, put it on my tab. Waiter: Will do sir. Fernando: Good, now git... The waiter scurries off to the kitchen area to get his food ready. He then goes to bar and makes Fernando's drink for him. It is quickly served. Fernando nods approvingly and stares at the drink, which is the same colour as anti-freeze/coolant and a very strong and sweet smell of Anise and other herbs. He just takes a deep sniff of the glass but does not sip it. He goes back to reading this newspaper first.
|