Dead Money

Chapter 1: VISITING A COMRADE

The clock is about to hit mid-night and the solemn atmosphere of dim-lighted thoroughfare torn by a shivering brakes of a car. Far apart street lights makes the place hard for anybody recognize people. A vigilant eyes peeped beyond a broken window trying to see who ejected from the cab. The old man in the house (nearly 60’s) then push towards the door… and open it. The man who have just dropped is now in front of the door. “Olds got problems upon sleeping, do you?” said the man. “I got no problem at all, it’s just my habit that I sleep in shallow manner and you knew it…come in”. Said the old man. “How are you Brent...what push you here? Asked the old man while the hand grasping the switches. Brent already sitting in the sofa when the light struck in the messanin floor. “It’s been too long Brent…I am happy you visited…and you looked well now…want some coffee?” Asked the old man. Brent just kept silent, he knew he don’t have to answer ‘coz the old man now taking steps towards the kitchen. In less than five minutes the old man is back having two cups in both hands. The old man put one cup of coffee on a little wooden table in front of Brent…and sit in two feet gap beside.

    BRENT: (took the cup) I missed this farm ground coffee…its bitterness and      the aroma.

    OLD MAN: But you don’t answer me yet.

    BRENT: Did you asked something? (Slowly turning his face to the old man)

    OLD MAN: I feel something different every time you do this. You don’t bother telling me you’re coming.

    BRENT: (Putting back his coffee on the table…nodding slowly…he cannot hide things to this old man. Takes a deep breath.) I filled my R & R.

    OLD MAN: Is that so? (Tapping Brent’s leg…slowly he stand and peep again in the window. The surrounding was fine.)

    BRENT: I’m tired. I need space to crash.

    OLD MAN: But you’re not done with the coffee yet. You knew there’s always a room for you here Brent. Just get in there (pointing a room facing another room under a messanin) I have to go back to sleep…we still have hours ‘till morning. Good night Brent. (And the old man enters the room.)

    BRENT: Okey…sleep tight…hope you’ll accompany me downtown tomorrow. I missed lurking this place.

Brent heard no answer from the old man. He continue sipping coffee. Brent really feels tired but his eyes don’t feel weariness. The last time he was in the place maybe nearly 3 years ago. This old man is also a military before which he once met during the siege of Baghdad. It’s their last met in service for the old man filed his early retirement due to physical injury he’d got. They both fought hardly in Baghdad where the old man was their team leader. American soldiers fought tirelessly night and day…struggling against radical Saddam Hussein.

Brent and the old man did not stay long in Baghdad. They were brought back to USA after their vehicle accidentally dragged land mine that caused some casualties to their team. In good faith, he and the old man receives only minor bruises and burns…they both ended in a military hospital in Washington.

His cup’s now drained. He heard crowing c***s nearby. Checking his watch and it’s already getting 2 in the morning. He’s aware of the time for c***s to crow. He used to hear of those even in the battlefields. Suddenly he felt sleepy. He could see from the half-opened door the bed where he could lay down. But he lay in the sofa instead, closed his eyes resting his wrest in his forehead. And he fall asleep. The idleness of time passes very solemn…and Brent’s weary soul snores until the clock stroke at 5 in the morning. Soldiers always have that shallow sleeping habit. With sub-conscious mind he could hear kitchen utensils clasping. The old man is preparing something for breakfast. Brent stretched for a while, squeeze his still sleepy eyes and erected from the sofa slowly.

BRENT: You’re not changing…just like you are in the camp…you’re the early bird     always.

 OLD MAN: Ohh…and you’re now awake…Good morning Brent! Get some coffee here. I’m preparing food for breakfast. Anyway, did you have a good sleep?

BRENT: Ohh yah…of course…I always felt comfortable in your place you know that. (Brent looking for his luggage he put beside the sofa where he sleeps.)

OLD MAN: (With cups of coffee in both hands coming out from the kitchen and saw Brent seems looking for something.) Uhmmm…your bag now inside the room…but let’s have our coffee first…and uhmmm…you have so many things to tell me.

BRENT: Like what? (Handling the cup from the old man and uttered slowly thanking words.)

OLD MAN: You have a different aura today. (Stands…takes a sip to his cup…and walks toward the door and open it partially…enough to see the glowing rays of the morning sun kissing all the leaves around.) I feel something unusual to you. You looked uneasy. What’s wrong with you?

BRENT: (Now holding the cup with both hands. His point finger dashing round the cup’s mouth. Took a deep breath before answering.) I need your help…I need to fly to the Philippines.

OLD MAN: What the hell you are talking…you’re just having your R&R, don’t you?

*R&R - It means “REST & RECREATION” a time given to a military man who wants to take a leave to re-fresh or relax himself to any obligation related to work as a military man. Maybe a week or the longest span of two weeks.

BRENT: Believe me…I can make it in a week or two.

OLD MAN: (Laughing.) HA-HA-HA-HA! We are not fooling here man…why can’t you give me the real score!

BRENT: (Bowing his head down…admitting to himself he could not hide things to this man.) Alright…alright…(putting down his cup on a little table in front and take both hands up saying…) I can’t hide things from you but I’m begging you this time…help me.

OLD MAN: (Took a deep breath.) What kind of help do you think I can Brent? I’m no longer in the service…you knew that.

BRENT: Of course you can…nothing else I knew I could run…please help me.

OLD MAN: (From the main door, turning back to sit down next to Brent again.) Alright…to what extent Brent?

BRENT: (Moving his head trying to get nearby leaning his body towards the old man and almost whispering.) Help me check this bruise at the back of my neck.

OLD MAN: OWWW…..HO-HO-HO-ho! (Then he faced Brent with the most serious stare.) Look Brent…we killed people in the field…but I’ve never been a Medic!

BRENT: C’mon man…(grasping the old man’s arms who tends to stand.) It’s not that what you think. (Again in whispering manner.) I want you to help me find out what’s inside this bruise.

OLD MAN: (Stared again to Brent and flung back to sofa.) Are you serious…aren’t you trying to ruin my morning?

BRENT: Why not try to look what the hell is that planted in my neck?

OLD MAN: Alright, alright, (suddenly stands) but I think we’ll eat breakfast first.

The old man slowly go back to the kitchen with face quietly thinking what’s really is going on. Brent followed inside. And there they both sat facing each other ready to eat.

OLD MAN: I suppose you have to tell me all things about this Brent.

BRENT: (Answered briskly) It’s only you which I think can help me…I trust you.

OLD MAN: Alright, let’s eat now and we’ll talk about it later. Ok?

BRENT: (Didn’t answer…applauses instead.) Holy….I missed lobsters!

OLD MAN: Satisfy yourself…I cooked plenty of rice over there. (Pointing where the rice cooker was.)

And the two shared the food on the table. Most of the soldiers lack of eating manners. They chew noisily and they are both voracious eater. After consuming more or less 10 minutes on the table, the old man done dining first. As he stands to get some beverages (canned beer), he belches too laud as he tried opening the refrigerator.

BRENT: Why can’t you get rid of that bad habit (smiling while his mouth full of food).

OLD MAN: I see no other people aside from us here. (Smiling while handling one can of beer to Brent.)

And the two go with their laughter over a couple of beer for each of them. The old man went back to the receiving room while Brent still sitting on the dining table wanting for another can of beer. But decided not to look for another one for he knew that they will be tackling serious things. Finally he vacated the chair and followed where the old man is at rest. The old man was the first to refresh the disturbed conversation. They’re both back in their formal gestures.

OLD MAN: I can hardly believe they still use the system up to now. (Talking but not facing towards Brent.)

BRENT: (Frowning, suspecting that the thing wasn’t new to the old man.) What do you mean?

OLD MAN: (Didn’t answer but asked Brent instead.) When was that when you noticed the irregularity in you?

BRENT: Not less than a month from now but I’m pretty sure this thing is in my body after we both extracted from Washington.

OLD MAN: How many of you left in the flock? (As a team leader before, the old man meant flock as the men he used to lead before.)

BRENT: Four of us, 2 casualties were replaced that very time after the incident. And you were replaced by a woman from Elite Force based in Afghanistan.

OLD MAN: Her name?

BRENT: Lieutenant Margaux Palmer.

After the old man heard the name…he became speechless…trying to reconcile history. It seems that he once met that lass in the last years before the tragedy. He is keenly grasping in the corners of his mind how he would and where they acquainted. But Brent break the silence.

BRENT: All I knew is that somebody not in uniform brought her to Col. Broody.

What Brent just have said, gives a hint to him. Things are becoming clear now. Three days before the tragedy, he was ordered to report in Baghdad to meet Col. Broody for some confidential instructions. But prior to that, he could see the woman naming Lt. Margaux Palmer roaming around the camp…in Baghdad. But he is now being disturbed…who is the man whom Brent said a man not in uniform? Although he knew that CIA is working all the time…the old man could hardly believe that Col. Broody is dealing with Mercenaries. His turmoil was again disrupted when Brent tap him in the shoulder.

OLD MAN: (Sadly saying.) I hope you’re not getting into trouble.

BRENT: What do you mean…I do not understand what the hell was it in my neck?

OLD MAN: The CIA hovers of your whereabouts. That is a tracking device they have planted.

BRENT: What the hell you are talking, and what the f**k this tracking device is all about?

OLD MAN: This is how I see things that are going on Brent. And that little thing planted in your neck explains everything…EVERYTHING!

Then the old man turned back and hurriedly enters his room and slums the door. Brent was left in the receiving room speechless. Aside from the fact that his mind is full of questions, he is shocked of what the old man revealed. Brent slowly walks toward the other room where his luggage was. The room was so solemn…added with the pale hue laminating from the bathroom. The atmosphere of the room seems to console Brent. He felt this moment as the lowest point of his life.

Slowly, he lay down his trunk in bed crosswise, both feet still touching the floor. Closed his eyes tightly and want to relax his tormented mind. Brent stayed minutes in that position until he heard again the old man talking to him loudly as he was in the other room.

OLD MAN: Give me little time to relax Brent…I’m bit horrified.

BRENT: Alright…take your time…I have to call someone anyway.

OLD MAN: (Out of his room in a sudden.) No! Don’t make any call by now! Give me your phone…you are possibly tapped.

BRENT: I mean…my phone’s in my bag. I have to re-activate it. I have to call someone in the camp. This is my 3rd day out.

OLD MAN: Ok…but let me handle your phone first. We have to make it sure that it is clear. Or let’s make it this way…just remove your card and change your phone. It’s pretty sure safer…right?

Brent: OK!

The old man then gave Brent extra phone just for him to be free from possible tapping. Brent now has that new phone – safety from any irregularities which the old man suspecting.

Then they talked again about the thing on Brent’s neck. The old man now has better suggestion to Brent. It’s better for Brent not to mind about it and he must have to go with SOP by now. The young soldier insisting that he has to follow Mira in the Philippines which again hindered by the old man. Rationalizing that there is still ample time ahead.

OLD MAN: You have to be smart and be very careful to your moves and plans starting today Brent. Take my warning, don’t touch it (the device), it might be putting you in the Order of Battle.

Brent wants to rebel…he can’t accept that he was trapped to unwanted conviction. He feels great depression…such as freedom was coveted from him. But his mind is shouting…he has to listen…this old man never lied nor hurts him.

OLD MAN: It’s great that you came here first to spend your R & R. There are things sometimes that we hardly understand…and when time comes that you fully understand…still not easy to accept. There’s no way to resist…it is in the system.

BRENT: Have you been experiencing things like this before?

The old man stared at Brent but wasn’t able to answer as the phone rang. Brent does not expecting any call. It was Margaux calling. The old man get apart although he have no idea who’s on the line…its indecent listening to other’s conversation.

BRENT: It’s Margaux! (He laudly said to parting old man).

The old man stopped and looked back to Brent. Readable upon Brent’s gesture that he wanted him to come close enough to hear possible conversation. And the old man hurriedly get back near to Brent. Then Brent pressed the phone to answer the call. He’s about to talk but the other end came faster.

MARGAUX: Brent I’m trying to call you since yesterday.

BRENT: Ohh I’m sorry…just have fixed my phone…I broke it during my travel. What is it anyway?

MARGAUX: You talk strangely now. What’s wrong with you Brent?

BRENT: Nothing…nothing is wrong. I mean, why did you call?

MARGAUX: I hate you Brent. Where are you?

Brent & the Old Man’s eyes met. The Old Man gave a wink urging Brent to continue the conversation.

BRENT: Haven’t I told you I’m going Arkansas?

MARGAUX: Have you? Or you are trying to avoid me, don’t you?

The old man maliciously smiling at Brent.

BRENT: Uhhhh…no…I’m not…why should I?

MARGAUX: Then why don’t you call me? You’re in your 3rd day enjoying in plain clothes.

BRENT: I’m not f*****g around…I’m doin’ somethin’ important here. And I have to cut this conversation. I have to go. I’ll call you later. Bye. (And Brent cut the line.)

OLD MAN: AhhhhhHA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA…Ohhhh…God them Brent…you’re a funny man…you should have told me something. Ohhh man…anyway…it’s been a long time since I heard conversation of sweet nothing…HA-HA-HA-HA….

BRENT: Stop!...You’re not funny anymore.

Inspite of the old man’s laughter, Brent stayed serious…he failed to tell the old man his relationship with Margaux. And so the old man wasn’t able to hold his laughter.

BRENT: What are we going to do now? I really want to fly to the Philippines.

OLD MAN: You’re really a hard headed brat. That’s is why I wanted you to be out of my flock before. If you stay to be like that and you’ll not change, nothing good will happen to your life. Try to be a good soldier sometimes. Try to listen to me. You’re not getting to where you want…you understand me?

BRENT: But I still have more than a week to gallivant.

OLD MAN: You can stay here. Or go to other places you want to go and enjoy. But you can’t go out the country. You get what I mean? They will be alerted if you did. Or…you can go to Margaux (slightly smiling).

BRENT: Ohhh man…let’s get serious.

OLD MAN: Yah! Why don’t you tell me more about Margaux? You know there is something fishy going on.

BRENT: Let’s forget about it.

OLD MAN: There is something wrong here Brent. Can’t you see?

BRENT: She’s just a woman.

OLD MAN: God! Is that you talking? I can’t believe this. You’re telling me “she’s just a woman”…do you know what you are talking? HA-HA-HA-HA…alright just stay here and get relaxed…I’ll see what we can have here for lunch.

The old man went again in the kitchen and Brent was left in the room thinking. Feels great dismay…his R & R will be spoiled. He really wanted to see Mira. Although he knew that Mira is engaged to somebody…his bestfriend Jigger. He knew that Jigger and Mira are related for several years and he knew also that they are planning to get married. His intention of flying to Philippines is foolish but Brent doesn’t mind at all. In the sense that he and Jigger are the best of friends…flying to Philippines to see Mira is illogical. And he must be in the Philippines by now if not of the thing in his body which lead him first here in Arkansas. He have just arrived here late last night and this is the first day he’ll have. He still have several days ahead to enjoy but what outcome do he expect with tormented mind.