Quazum

SWAMPLANDS 117

An older-looking Gabriel, with longer grey hair and beard, walked quietly with his c****d shotgun through the mossy old trees in the swamps. With his finger on the trigger, he was ready to fire. He was wearing a camouflage hat, a torn green t-shirt, black shorts and heavy boots as he stepped in and out of mud.

When he heard the slight sound coming from deep in the swamp, he quickly lifted the rifle up to his eye and stared down the barrel. Gabriel then turned the g*n slightly to the side, looking for some form of motion, before firing three quick shots.

“Bam! Bam! Bam!”

Gabriel then nervously looked into old bushes, when a scared small squirrel jumped out from behind the leaves and ran up the side of a tree.

After a deep breath, Gabriel continued walking while reloading the shotgun. After hearing a sound from water in the swamp, he nervously lifted the g*n back up and stared down the barrel. He tightly held the g*n still again, c****d and ready to fire.

Water from the swamp began showing a slight motion, and Gabriel moved quickly. He pointed the g*n down as the little crawfish ran back into the shallow water.

Another creaking sound then came from behind, and he spun around again turning back to the marsh and trees in the distance. He slowly walked towards a big tree looking for any sign of motion.

“Where are you hiding, boy? It’s getting dark,” mumbled Gabriel. “I think I’m gonna have to give up. Again!”

No sound or motion was coming from anywhere around the muddy waters and trees. Gabriel moved around looking down the barrel of the g*n but still saw nothing.

Suddenly, a moving creature that looked like partial bark from the tree with green leaves, began climbing down the side of the tree and ran up to Gabriel.

“Here I am, Grandpa!” Quazum yelled with excitement.

“Where the hell were you?” snapped Gabriel with a smile. “I didn’t see nothing!”

The partially invisible colors of Quazum, with the reptile shaped face and body, continually changed as he walked alongside Gabriel. The medium sized chameleon boy had short arms and a lizard-shaped face and quickly changed to blend in with the backgrounds of green marsh and old trees and going out of sight. Grandpa Gabriel carried his g*n over his shoulder and walked alongside Quazum.

“I knew you couldn’t find me up in the trees,” said Quazum with excitement. “It’s one place you can never spot my shadow.”

“I don’t know how you can get up there? Aren’t you scared of falling?”

“Falling don’t hurt, Grandpa. I don’t weigh nothing,” answered Quazum. “And I can wrap my legs around the base and grip the sides of the tree trunk with my fingers. It’s easy to climb!”

“It’s like you truly are invisible,” said Gabriel. “We gotta make some rules about places you can’t hide.”

“I can change my body to all different colors... Like brown tree bark with green leaves... And I can blend in with the blue sky! Or the grey clouds. Or I can just be invisible.”

“Now I gotta start looking up in the trees and down in the mud. But I’ll find you! I’ll shoot you tomorrow! Just wait!”

“No way, Grandpa! I got lots more places I can hide!”

Quazum grabbed his small bag with his shirt, pants and hat, and began putting on the specially cut shirt with shortened sleeves. His pants were bigger with longer legs cut specially for his body.

Gabriel and Quazum continued walking across the mud towards the cabin. When they got to the old fence, Quazum held wires so Gabriel could lean over and climb in between. Quazum then easily hopped over and ran alongside.

“First, you were backing up behind the trees,” said Gabriel. “I couldn’t see nothing but a shadow!”

“I remember when I was lying down in the mud,” answered Quazum. “You stepped right on my back, and I had to bite my tongue to keep from yelling!”

“That’s one place I can never find you,” said Gabriel. “It’s whenever you’re lying down in those muddy holes!”

Quazum slid his arms into the shirt sleeves and continued, “You said it wasn’t fair, so I haven’t dug a hole since.”

“Now you’re climbing up in the trees. We gotta make some rules against that too!”

Quazum finally put on his baseball cap, making him nearly completely visible, and started to laugh. “I got some other places to hide where you won’t never find me, Grandpa.”

The two continued walking when Gabriel’s new-looking cabin came into sight. The exterior looked different with a fresh coat of paint and a new landscaped yard with flowers and freshly trimmed bushes. Decorative plants were also hanging around the front porch and sitting in the windows.

“What’s your mom cooking for dinner tonight?” asked Gabriel.

“I don’t know. Smells like her classic crawfish etouffee. I love that smell.”

“I hope so! Your mom got some great recipes from your grandma twenty years ago!”

As they stepped up onto the porch, Gabriel began taking off his muddy boots. Quazum sprayed water from the hose onto his bare feet and wiped them down before putting on special shaped shoes and socks. He then joined Gabriel as he carefully opened up the door.

“Oh, it smells good!” announced Gabriel with excitement. “Quazum could smell that crawfish from way out in the swamps.”

“I need some salt water, Mom!”

“I just made some for you. There’s a warm pitcher next to the oven,” said Lacy as she stirred her spoon in the big pot. Lacy also looked older and was wearing plain clothes with shorter plain hair. “And I got a whole new batch of roaches in the aquarium. I think those eggs finally hatched.”

“I’ll wait on the roaches,” Quazum answered as he sprinkled food into the aquarium for Nigel. “I just want some of your special crawfish etouffee.”

“Quazum got a whole new hiding place out in the swamp,” laughed Gabriel. “He’s racing up trees and turning green and brown, with blue sky spots. Ain’t no way I can spot him up there.”

Lacy shook her head before responding, “I don’t like this game. I heard you shooting that g*n. Someone’s going to get hurt!”

“Ha! I can’t never find him to shoot at anyway!” answered Gabriel with a laugh.

Quazum gave a big smile as he walked over to the table. “It’s okay Mom. The bullets don’t hurt when he does hit me.”

“It’s not funny. It’s dangerous!”

“I told you,” replied Gabriel as he took off his jacket. “I ain’t even using real bullets. They’re just green rubber balls that can’t penetrate the skin.” Gabriel held up a box of green rubber bullets and continued, “At least not the skin on that boy. It’s safe.”

“And hunting with Grandpa helps me practice changing colors, and getting stronger. I can climb trees ‘round the swamps and jump down without making noise, and without getting seen. It’s something I’m just naturally good at.”

“Chasing Quazum around the swampland is okay,” replied Lacy. “But I just don’t want to hear guns firing!”

“It’s okay, Mom. It’s fun!”

“We can play Hide and Shoot tomorrow,” said Gabriel with a smile. “I just won’t fire any shots. I promise.”

“Now go wash your hands. We only got one month left of crawfish,” said Lacy as she began pulling out clean dishes. “They’ll be out of season soon. And my etouffee is a real delicacy!”

“You’re right about that, Mom!” shouted Quazum “I want you to teach me how to make it one day.”

Gabriel and Quazum hurried to rinse their hands in the sink. Quazum’s reptile fingers were barely visible as the soap and water rinsed off. After they dried their hands with the clean towel, they each rushed back over to the well-set table.

Lacy spooned big servings of rice on their plates, then carefully poured the etouffee sauce over and sprinkled a filet seasoning. Gabriel and Quazum each then turned to Lacy who thought for a second, then said, “Qui vivra verra.”

“Merci beau coup,” responded Gabriel as he lifted his drink.

Quazum looked confused. “What does that even mean?

“It’s an old cajun expression that just means we control our own future,” answered Lacy. “It’s important that we consider every decision we make.”

“It comes from our French ancestors that discovered this swampland three hundred years ago,” said Gabriel with pride.

Quazum took several bites of the etouffee before reaching out for the salt shaker.

Lacy raised her hand when she saw. “Don’t put more salt on my etouffee. It’s already seasoned.”

“And it’s really spicy the way I like!” answered Gabriel.

Gabriel then drank from his cup of fresh water, and Quazum sipped on his salt water drink. Gabriel spoke up between bites. “I tell you, Quazum! Your mom’s etouffee is better than your Grandma’s used to be. And I didn’t think that was even possible.”

“She taught me how to make it when I was just a kid,” answered Lacy with a smile. “It’s truly a secret recipe that I’m going to teach you one day, Quazum.”

“How many days do we have left of crawfish season?” asked Quazum between bites.

“Not long. After August, mid-September... It’s going to be about eight months before we even see them again.”

“But that’s when the ducks start flying in,” replied Gabriel with excitement. “It should be a great winter season for fish and wild ducks! Maybe we can even get a gator. That’ll be a good month’s worth of gumbo!”

“I love Mom’s alligator gumbo, but the etouffee is my favorite.” Quazum seemed to be slightly changing colors as food went down his throat, but he remained constantly visible because of his special jacket and hat.

Lacy cringed as she watched droplets of the etouffee landing on Quazum’s shirt. “Be careful, Quazum. You’re dripping food.”

“He’s fine. Just let him eat.”

“You know? Maybe I can make some special coats from Grandpa’s old jackets this winter. You want some new jackets?”

“I don’t really get hot or cold like you guys,” answered Quazum as he continued eating. “I’m just a normal kid.”

Gabriel and Lacy looked at each other, then continued eating.

* * *

Ben looked older and was pouring black coffee into an extra-large cup, in the employee section of a used car dealership. In a dirty suit with messy hair and unshaven face, he began to yawn.

“Looks like you had a busy night,” commented a coworker when he walked up.

Ben then put a few aspirin pills in his mouth and took his first sip of black coffee. He then swallowed pills with his eyes closed. “Just the usual night.”

“If I went out like that for just one night,” commented the co-worker. “My wife would kill me.”

“Well, that’s why I ain’t married.” Ben then carefully carried the coffee cup over to the couch in the waiting room, sat down, and leaned back. He reached down, grabbed the remote and started changing channels. When he got to a baseball game, Ben put down the remote and leaned back in his chair.

Paul, the manager at the car dealer, walked in and looked around. He was annoyed when he spotted Ben and walked over. “This is the third time this week, you showed up after lunch and then sat in the waiting room drinking coffee.”

“I’m fine. I just got a headache,” answered Ben without looking up.

An older couple suddenly walked into the car dealer and looked around hoping for possible help. Ben ignored them and seemed annoyed as the baseball game was being played on the TV screen.

Paul shook his head in disgust, then walked out to greet the older couple. “Good morning. If you’re looking for a high-quality used car, then you’ve come to the right place.”

“I think we just need some information,” said the older man. “We just have some questions.”

Paul interrupted, “Well, we’ve got the answers. I’ll get you some qualified help.” Paul then walked over to Ben. “We’ve got two customers looking at cars in the salvage area, and they need help.”

“They ain’t buying,” replied Ben without looking up. “They were here last week”

“Get out there, and sell. I want those old cars off the lot! Today!” said the frustrated manager before he turned and walked back to his office.

Ben looked around, then reluctantly got up and walked over to the older couple. He put on a fake smile as he greeted the customers. “Hello there! Welcome back to New Used Cars! It’s great to have the old car experts back again.”

“Thank you,” answered the older man. “We just had some questions since our last visit.”

“I see you’ve got your eyes on the classic Cadillac,” said Ben. “This car is a real piece of work!”

“We wanted to know how many miles this car has on it? Is it over the 200,000 mark?”

“I can check that!” replied Ben. “Not a problem.”

The wife smiled at Ben and mumbled with pride, “My dad used to own a Cadillac like this a long time ago.”

Ben reluctantly looked up information on the computer screen and rolled his eyes. “Oh, the Cadillac will never go out of style. No matter how run down they get!”

The couple looked confused as Ben continued with insincere excitement, “Oh yeah. This was one of the very best car models in the world a hundred years ago. Less than a million miles. That’s really low for a car like this, and upkeep was performed by an engineer at a factory. You couldn’t ask for anything more classic!”

“How many miles to the gallon does this car get today?” asked the older man.

“Oh yes! This old car still uses the classic gasoline,” answered Ben. “You can’t find that feature in many cars these days.”

“Can we still buy gasoline?” asked the older woman. “I mean. Do they still make gas for a car like this?”

“Of course! It’s an antique substance being sold in special stations around the world. I can truly guarantee that form of gas is still available!”

“Can we take it on a test drive?” asked the man.

His wife then added nervously, “Maybe just around the block?”

“Well, let’s check that out,” answered Ben as he pushed buttons on his computer. He then tried to hold back a yawn and continued insincerely. “Yes! You can drive this vehicle around the parking lot two times, but at a very low speed. And I’ll be required to sit in the back seat.”

Paul, the boss, was looking on and seemed annoyed. Other salesmen also watched as Ben continued pretending to be helpful. When Ben noticed Paul out of sight, Ben turned away. “And all information can be found on documents inside the glove compartment of the car. When you’ve made up your mind, you can come find me. This key will open the front door.” Ben handed over a key and a business card and walked away. “My name is Ben.”

“Well, does it have an automatic braking system?” asked the older man.

The older woman also tried to get Ben’s attention, “And how does the automatic air condition work in the hot weather?”

Ben ignored the questions, and walked back to the couch by the television. He picked up his coffee and took another sip. Ben then grabbed the remote control and turned the volume up on the baseball game.

The couple seemed confused. They tried again to look inside the car to read information while Ben took his place back on the couch. When they looked over to see Ben relaxing, they turned and walked out of the showroom seeming confused.

Paul, the boss walked out of the office again to where Ben was sitting. “That’s it? You let them walk out? No sale?”

“It’s not worth the time,” mumbled Ben. “They walk in once a week and ask the same questions about the old gas guzzling piece of crap, the magic Cadillac. Then they always walk out talking about more car investigation and research. They are a complete waste of time.”

“Oh, I believe you’re the big waste of time.” Paul then turned and walked over to another man looking at cars on display.

* * *

Gabriel walked in drinking from his shiny silver cup and asked, “Is there anything that can come from Quazum becoming an expert in rockets and bombs computer games?”

“It’s a great form of letting out aggression and showing the talent little Quazum has built up. It just gives us an idea of what he is capable of.”

“But what can come of it? Can he use any of this talent for hunting?” asked Gabriel. “Or maybe catch more fish in the bayou? We’re looking at a truly gifted boy, just stuck playing computer games.”

“Quazum is a homeschooled boy,” said Lacy as she walked over. “He’s got the hand-eye coordination of an NBA star and the mind of a brilliant scientist. There’s nothing he can’t do.”

“What we got sitting in there is an undiscovered multi-talented genius,” said Gabriel with pride. “I just want to show him off!”

“No! No one can see him. If scientists discover what we’ve got, they’ll put him in a zoo! And start doing tests and studies. I think the life on Quazmopolis is an intelligent species. They know the heat is increasing, and they’ve moved underground.”

Gabriel interrupted, “So why can’t they fix it? If these creatures are as smart as Quazum, they could be flying rockets!

“They might be. I think they want Quazum to explore new land.”

* * *

In California, it was late at night in an old, almost empty bar. The big screen TV was playing news in the corner screen while music played over the speakers. An intoxicated Ben got up from his barstool to stretch. As he started to sit back down, two older women, Brenda and Mary, walked in and looked around.

“Hi,” said Ben as he walked over to greet them in the doorway. “Welcome to one of the hot spots in Southern California. Are you girls from around here?”

Brenda laughed and moved closer. “We’re from a nearby city, not too far. And we’re just here because we want to spend a night out in this big city!”

“Well, welcome! I want to buy you a glass of the best beer west of the Mississippi.” Ben turned and walked back up to the bar. “Quincy, get these beautiful girls a couple of mugs of your best stuff! On me!”

“Whatever’s left on tap,” answered Quincy, the bartender.

“Just the cheapest draft,” mumbled Ben as he walked over. “Add it to my tab.”

Quincy filled a couple of mugs of beer and looked annoyed as intoxicated Ben leaned over the counter. “Here it is! Two of the southland’s best,” said Quincy.

Ben picked up the beer mugs and walked back over to the girls. “Here you go! It’s two of the best brews in all of California!”

“Thank you,” said Brenda as she took her first sip from the cold mug of beer.

Mary then took her sip and smiled. “Thanks. Here’s to the free beer.”

Both girls then turned and whispered quietly leaving Ben standing and looking annoyed.

“Well, thank you for thanking me,” mumbled Ben under his breath as he turned and walked back to his seat at the empty bar, “Thanks for nothing.”

Ben motioned to the bartender, and pointed to his empty beer mug. Quincy walked right over and took his mug. “You sure you want another refill? Or are you ready to call it a night?”

“I’ll take one more. And I swear this is my last one,” answered Ben.

Quincy reluctantly filled his mug with the tap beer and looked up at Ben. “You know you’re building up quite a tab here.”

“Not a problem,” said Ben with a laugh. “I just gotta sell one car, and we’ll be even.”

“Fine,” replied Quincy as he handed Ben the beer.

The big screen TV screen on the wall then suddenly cut to a news story about Quazmopolis, and Ben pointed at the TV screen and put down his mug. “Hey! Turn it up. I want to hear this!”

Quincy looked confused but turned up the volume on TV speakers and lowered the music. Ben walked over and listened closely.

The news anchor was reading with hi-tech graphics and video playing over his shoulder. “The Quazmopolis moon on the fourth planet of the Kepler solar system, and has a nitrogen oxygen-based atmosphere. The Space Exploration Agency in California is planning another mission to explore the planet and possibly start new life forms of plant or insect.”

Video on screen played, showing old satellite and solar jet video of the rock surface in a variety of colors, and temperatures measuring over one hundred fifty degrees.

The TV anchor continued, “President of SEA, Dr. William Palmer, will be sending new crew members along with some scientists from the last mission to investigate possible new element combinations previously discovered on Quazmopolis. Palmer will also be testing a new form of artificially created Arid Cactus plant, which has been proven to grow in all possible temperatures with an unmatched tolerance ranging over two hundred degrees.”

Dr. Palmer appears on screen with a graphic title of “Owner / Chief Executive Officer”.

“The new Arid Cacti will be planted in manmade shaded areas in an artificially created ground of crushed aggregate compound natural to Quazmopolis. This dirt will be very high in natural fiber and can survive a diet of a salt water, also natural to Quazmopolis.”

News anchor continued, “Bearable temperatures on Quazmopolis range from one hundred and fifty degrees daytime and nighttime temperatures of twenty degrees below zero.”

Quincy, noticing Ben’s concentration, walked back over. “So, does any of that surprise you?”

Ben looked up to the bartender and answered, “That same Dr. Palmer promised to give up on the Quazmopolis mission after nothing new was uncovered the last time.”

“He seemed to think this mission is important to all of mankind. I think with this new exploration, he wants to be like God and just start new life.”

“Quazmopolis is just a moon,” responded Ben with disgust. As he began taking another swig from his drink, he noticed Palmer speaking from the SEA Press room.

“This mission will be faster and safer with new solar powered gear able to better withstand temperatures -- like the heat of daytime hours, and the freezing cold night. We’ll have a bigger solar jet and a bigger crew.”

“Will you be paying for the investigation again? Or will costs be coming from the pockets of taxpayers?” asked a reporter.

“Taxes will not be increasing to anyone for the cost of this exploration,” answered Palmer. “That is my promise.”

Ben spoke up again to the bartender, “You know? I was involved in the most recent Quazmopolis mission. Complete waste of time and money. I can attest to that.”

“You were part of Space Exploration? Wow! I remember all the commotion. You know their headquarters is not far from here.”

“Yeah. I was going to marry one of the scientists,” said Ben with a smile as he took another drink. “I was truly in love.”

“Yeah? So, what happened?”

“Well, when she got to Quazmopolis, she started dating some horny explorer dude,” answered Ben. “She got pregnant. I got pissed off, and we called off the big wedding. Something like that.”

“I’m sorry. So, what does this girl do now?” asked Quincy.

“I don’t know. After we broke up, I quit SEA. I couldn’t put myself through that anymore. Two years of pure torture.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah. It all taught me a lesson I’ll never forget!” Ben said as he took a final gulp from his beer mug and looked around the room. “Life with her and the whole SEA group was just a soap opera nightmare. Pure torture.”

“And you’re happy with your new life today? Selling used cars?”

“It’s a steady job. I think I’m doing okay.” Ben then got up and walked over to the table with the girls. “So, how’s the beer? I told you. That’s some of the best tap beer this side of the Mississippi.”

“It’s okay,” answered Brenda with a smile.

Mary then smiled politely and took another sip. “I think it’s fine.”

“We heard you got some connection to Quazmopolis and Space Exploration,” commented Brenda. “Is that true?”

“Yeah, it was a long time ago. I was all into that stuff years ago.”

“I know one of the scientists who was on that mission,” said Mary.

Brenda immediately joined in, “Yeah, and he still works for SEA. That’s Space Exploration Agency.”

“Not many people worked there back then,” replied Ben. “It’s grown a lot. Who did you know?”

“His name is Chris Evans,” answered Mary.

“Did you know him?” asked Brenda as she turned to Ben.

“Yeah, I remember Chris. He’s the one that ran off with my fiancé’, a real jerk.”

Brenda looked surprised and answered, “Oh, he’s married now and still works at SEA. And he’s going back on this new mission.”

“And his whole family is looking forward to it,” said Mary with pride.

Ben then stopped to think. “Hmmm. I'll tell you what. Nothing goes better with a mug of beer like this than a shot of Comatose Bourbon. Have you ever tried that?”

“I don’t think so,” answered Brenda with a laugh. “But we’re driving.”

“You’re driving? What kind of car do you have?” asked Ben. “If you’re interested, I can get you a really good deal on a Cadillac.”

Ladies looked at each other and smiled, while Ben turned to the bartender and yelled, “Two shots of tequila!”