Knapp 23 = Digobert Farol.

KNAPP 23. “Digobert Farol”.
Science Fiction novel. Chile.
Written by Alfredo Francisco Umberto Juillet Frascara. January 2011.
Words -- 25870 22 February 2011

Year = 4.071 E.C.
Location = Knapp
Characters = Director and general Manager plus actor Mr. Digobert Farol,
Female actresses = Lamat Digot; Nadidodula Naderin
Male actors = Sarrion Fegal, Marmachucken Fedigoifor; Latigotifor Maginifren; Maschio Latikofagoter.
Art Producer= Boskon Korbl
Daron Hinauer (Admiral of the Second Domicilium Fleet); Foren (Assistant to Hinauer); Myrna Lower (Daron’s woman)
Knapp=
Ring Knapp XXXIII, wife 2 daughters.
Governors: Oxiborion= Ravengo ; Oredloro= Ufogor; Rixiaberg= Sufifodingo Matiforlio; City 20= Tito Chukarno.
Ministry of Foreign Relations , Duke Fotipotel
Lubina town, 1230 pop. 840 km north of Rixiaberg.

CHAPTER I
Digobert Farol was looking how the spaceship was docking into the Knappian Orbital Station Number 3. Soon they will be going down to the surface of the planet, possibly in a shuttle craft.
“Hey, where are my valises?”—Miss Lamat Digot appears saying, while pricking his elbow. He looks at her—a nice woman indeed, with blue eyes and white skin—but she added’ Don’t stare like that unto me, Mr. Farol! You are a married man!”
Digobert smiled and said:” I really don’t know where are your valises, Lamat! Perhaps you forget them at your cabin?”
“No, there are not there!”—She said, stomping on the metallic floor. Someone appears and give her two valises, saying:” Sorry, I thought they were mine!”
Digobert looked at the one who brought her the valises—it was Sarrion Fegal, the handsome actor (and gay) who was for ever trying to learn everything the women had in their purses…
“Oh, it was you! Thanks, anyway.”—Lamat Digot said, with a theatrical smile that was like an ice mask.
“We are going down in a shuttle, I suppose?”—Mr. Sarrion Fegal said, not directing his question to anybody in particular.
“That or the Transporter! I guess it will be the traditional shuttle—remembers we are in Knapp!”—Digobert said, smiling.
Some bells were now ringing—the airlock in place, some personnel from the Orbital Station enter the “Allegro” spaceship and went to talk with Render Song, the Captain, while the crew was already getting inside the Orbital Station for a couple of drinks, after weeks of Artificial Beingstinence—they were not going to depart again in weeks.
A voice was heard by the loudspeakers, saying:’ To all the passengers: please walk by the airlock to the Orbital Station to be beamed down to the surface.”
Digobert Farol paled, afraid to be using that method of transportation. Lamat Digot looked at him and laughed, as she knew he was scared stiff of Transporters, and said:’ Take heed, Mr. Farol! It doesn’t bite!”—And she went out of that corridor, laughing—a crew member carried her luggage to the Orbital Station.
The Station was not new but well kept; the corridors were painted in green, with lamps on the ceiling and a magnetic rug on the floor.
Lamat Digot was directed to the Transporter room, where five white circles on the floor were shown where five persons should be standing if wanting to travel out of the Orbital Station—this time, to the city of Oredloro, where they were already booked on the Kunushi Hotel.
Lamat Digot walked to a circle, saying:’ I hope my luggage will be carried the same way?”
“Yes, lady! But first are the people.”—The man in charge of the Transporter said, smiling to her.
“Thanks, young man.”—Lamat said, knowing that phrase was pleasant to a middle aged man..
Digobert, Sarrion Fegal, Marmachucken Fedigoifor, Latigotifor Maginifren and Nadidodula Naderin stepped to that dais, standing on the white circles together with Lamat, who said:” We are all ready, young man! Beam us down!”
“Yes, lady. In a moment.”—The man in charge hurriedly moved the dials, and soon the image of those five persons begins to flicker until the group disappears in trembling smog.
“All ready, now the next group of five!”—The technician said, looking at the rest of the theatrical team, who were waiting next to the dais; the first stepping up was Maschio Latikofagorten with his black coat as always; then it was the captain of the “Allegro” , Mr. Renfer Song, and three other crewmen from the same ship—they were with shore leave, and they looked very happy.
The technician moves the dials again, and the same procedure was performed; the figures changes to wavering light and then they were gone.
A green light was flickering on the controls, so the technician knew that the whole process was successful—the people were already on Oredloro’s soil.
From the chamber of the transporter they walked by a corridor and to the Custom offices, where the “Electromen” functionaries dispatched them very quick; Mr. Digobert Farol asked for the wardrobe set he get to receive from the “Allegro “ spaceship.
“It’s being transported already, Mr. Farol! Gate three, if you want to take it right now.”—An EC said, mechanically.
“It’s very important for us—the wardrobe for our performances in town; we are actors.”—Mr. Digobert said.
But he had a surprise, as when they get out from Custom office, a crowd was waiting for them at the Reception hall; they were chanting names, especially Miss Lamat Digot’s name, who was giving now autographs to anyone who wants it.
“Dear of mine, thanks for this unexpected welcome! I appreciate this gesture of yours with all of my heart!”—She said, smiling radiantly and apparently moved.
Other actors who had fans were Sarrion Fegal and Nadidodula Naderin, the next female in the group.
Dagobert Farol takes the opportunity of to say something to the crowd:” Ladies and gentlemen, a little moment of silence, please! Miss Lamat Digot and Miss Nadidodula Naderin are here as members of our theatrical team, to perform several classic works such as “The battle for Oredloro”. The “Night of Lady Shurvana”, “Perion of Janarvia”, “Astor and the dog—woman”, and others! We’ll be in the “Suhrim Theatre” performing for you at least for a week!”
The women of the crowd shrieked and the men howled and everyone were happy and excited.
A clerk from the Kunushi Hotel come in and rescue them from the fans. Mr. Digobert Farol went with another clerk to the Gate 3, where they received the seven trunks with the wardrobe and some bags with other articles; Digobert was told he could get everything unto a store room on the basement, but he prefers not—so his own suite was literally cramped with those valises, trunks and bags full of clothes.
“In this way I economize money!”—He said to Lamat Digot, who approaches to his suite to see why there was too much noise.
“Oh, dear! You should ask the “Suhrim Theatre” administrator to take care of this stuff! Plenty of room there.”—She sniffed, as the bags smelled of dust.
“Good idea, but I must present myself to those people first.”—He said, sighing.
“Why are you still here? Go, go to that theater now!”—Lamat said, clapping her hands; Digobert close the door and taking a Flier taxi, he directed the driver to the “Suhrim Theatre””, that was in a bohemian sector of town; where every kind of Restaurant, Bar and entertainment place was located. By night, the location was brilliantly light with advertisement and signs for all to choose.
The “Suhrim Theatre” was near a plaza and, to the other side, to several Restaurants – a faint smell of grilled dinosaur pervaded the air.
Digobert went inside the hall, and asks an AB about the management office—the AB said:’ Go by the corridor, second door to the left. Mr. Boskon is there.”
Boskon Korbl was the Manager, and he was dictating a letter to his AB (Artificial Being) secretary when Digobert enters that office. The Manager waved a hand and keeps on dictating some very bored reply to someone named Cassis, giving rows of numbers in between.
When he finished, he said to Digobert:’ Mr. Farol, nice to see you in person! Please, be seated.”—And he waved a hand to a couple of armchairs in front of his desk. Digobert seats on a very comfortable dinosaur leather armchair with a sigh—the voyage by the ether makes anyone a feeble man, for a while.
“Nice to meet you too, Mr. Korbl. I arrived just now with my artistic group; They are all very anxious to start representing the plays I told you we were ready to perform.”—Digobert said.
“Yes, of course! My “Suhrim Theatre” will open this season with your team! Hope we could have decent revenues! The last time I remember presenting classic plays we barely get enough money to pay the meals!”—Boskon Korbl said, leaning back on his chair.
“I assure you we get quite a reception here at the landing strip! People cheering our actors! Surely that all of those people will certainly buy tickets to see them performing their representations.”—Digobert said, calmly.
Boskon waits three seconds before saying:’ Yes, of course! “—But his tone of voice was decidedly dubious. Digobert realize that this man will cut or end presentations the minute the box—office decrease in sells.
5
“Well, as we had an agreement, I’m forced to ask for the first installment, Mr. Korbl. Three hundred thousand Credits.”—Digobert Farol asks.
Boskon uses a machine on his desk, saying:’ A deal is a deal! Here! You already have the money on your account, as we talked by holographic set. This entitles me to have your team working three times a day for a lapse of fifteen days. If all goes well, another equal quantity will be deposited on your account. All of this depends on the success you could achieve in here.”
Digobert gives a sigh of relief—certainly he cannot assure a success, but he will certainly try.
Korbl stands up, saying:’ now I’ll show you the place; everything is new and well kept.”—And certainly was like he said: the three levels had new seats, new rugs on the floor, a nice and well lit scenery, with panels and a screen on the back, to project the necessary backgrounds; a holographic machine to project animals or objects between the playing actors; from there, to see the dressing rooms—ample and with small bathroom on the back, plenty of mirrors and some chairs, also a bed to lie on.
“This is certainly nice!”—Digobert said, appraising the place as it should.
“Yes; well, in three days I want your team working here! I’ll be advertising under my own expense—don’t fail on me!”—Korbl said, stomping out.
Digobert walked out of the “Suhrim Theatre” in high spirits—he was certain that the acting team will be as happy as himself, with the nice rooms and the payment he has already on his bank account…
6
At the Hotel, he asked for a wagon flier, to carry every item to the Theater. In that trip, several actors ask to be carried to the “Suhrim Theatre”, in order to see where they were going to perform the several plays in schedule.
Several men from the staff helps him in this chores—presents were Sarrion, Latigotifor, and Maschio Latiko, who said:’ We even could sleep on these beds! Pity we must travel to and fro the hotel to perform.”
This he said as the distance was more than forty blocks between the hotel and the “Suhrim Theatre”.
7
Sarrion said:’ You should know by now that the farthest from work, the better! Imagine a crowd furious by your perform, and you living on the same “Suhrim Theatre”!”
They all laughed, as the mental scene was funny. Digobert said:’ We have just three days to begin our works here! I guess we must get hurry hiring the chorus girls!”
‘They must look nice! No fat women allowed!”—Latigofor said.
“We know that!”—Maschio said.
“I’ll hire women for the benefit of the male audience! The more naked legs and nice looking faces, the better!”—Digobert said.
“Hope you won’t choose “The Battle for Oredloro” as the first play!”—Sarrion almost begged. Digobert looked at him, saying:’ you know we have a fixed schedule! First we play “the Battle” and then the rest—it’s our tradition: people expect that from us.”
“All right! But for how many times?’—Sarrion said.
“We hare hired for two weeks no more! Four days for each of our plays seems fine to me. Any problem with that?”—Digobert asked.
“Of course not, Digobert! Four days, means twelve times!”—Sarrion said.
“Hope we could abridge those plays!”—Latigotifor said.
Digobert said, in a low voice:” It all depends on how much people are in each of the representations! If we get a big crowd, we perform the whole play. But
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If not, we simply begin abridging.”—
“A one hour play!”—Maschio asked, smiling.
“Yes, one hour would be fine—we can fill the gaps with music—the girls dance, and everybody is happy!”—Digobert said.
“When are you going to start calling for women? _ Sarrion asked.
“I will use Model Institutes! They have skilled professionals—women with lots of enthusiasm and little money! I’m sure we’ll have a hit.”—Digobert said.
That night, he invites them all to dance, and a good dinner. They respond with a joyful attitude.’
“You are such a good fellow!’—Lamat Digot said, dancing with him, when at the Hotel Restaurant.
9
“Thanks, but I must strengthen our ties! We are a team, we must get together.”—He replied, looking at her beautiful eyes.
“You are flirting with me? Remember you are a married man!”—Lamat Digot said.
“Oh, but that’s in the past! I will never return to my home country!”—He said, sensing she was pressing the matter just to know what his intentions were towards her.
“All men have ideals—your ideal seems to be this: to perform plays. Acting just like me.”—She said, pressing her body against him.
“Yes, darling. We are birds of a feather! The pity is that my feathers are worn out by the ages!”—He said, and she laughed his joke.
Once at the table, Digobert speak about the rehearsals.
“We must be ready in two more days! I will hire a chorus, just to back—up our performance.”—He said.
Nadidodula laughed and said:” At least you are being honest! You seems not to appreciate the good taste of this people!”
“Our future clients.”—Maschio Latikofagorten said, caustically.
“Oh, yes! We could as well present a vaudeville act!”—Nadidodula scoffed out.
“Not in a hundred years I would go down the line to present myself as raw meat!”—Lamat Digot said, while Digobert takes her hand and kissed it.
At the next day, the rehearsal was performed from ten to thirteen hours—Digobert playing his role plus the role of Maschio Latikofagorten who was dead drunk at the time.
At the foyer, Lamat Digot whispered to him:’ You did it better than Maschio!”
10
“Oh, yes? I was not performing!”—He said, and Lamat takes a quick glance to his face, and laughed.
Mr. Boskon Korbl enters the building at that moment, and seeing Digobert, he approaches, saying:” The advertisements cost me a fortune! It will be appearing today in a dozen media formats!”
:”I appreciate your efforts, Mr. Korbl! We will be doing our best.”—Digobert assured him. Korbl looked at Lamat, and said:” I am sure you will—lady, your beauty surpassed any holographic film I had ever seen about you!”
11
She blinked her big green eyes, saying: “You are a flatterer, Mr. Korbl; but I thank you for your appreciation.”
“yes. Well, I must be going now.”—The owner of the “Suhrim Theatre” said, walking inside his den.
“Hope we could attract lots of people.”—Digobert said, sighing. She takes one of his hands in hers, saying:” I see you are too worried! Let’s go to my dressing room to talk about this!”
They went to the cabin assigned to her, and after locking the door, she kissed him, saying:’ there’s nothing better than love to ease the worries!”
Digobert was of her same idea…
At the next day, the rehearsal was very much intense; the stage was a place of words and situations more serious than before. Korbl was looking at the actor’s performance for some time, and accented with his big head—interiorly, he was sure this people were serious actors—the doubt was: could the Knappian comprehends that they were the best in town?
The answer walked one day later, in those persons that filled the chairs and waits religiously for the curtain to be raised.
Miss Lamat Digot appears in a common interior of a Knappian house, saying:” Where is my husband? The great diplomat who was going to fight for our well being?”
A voice comes from another room, which has its door closed—saying:” Wait a moment, dear! I’m trying to finish something here!”
“Yes! I’m sure you are certainly finishing something, but that didn’t answer my question:’ are you going to fight for our freedom in any form?”
11
After the sound of the water flush, appears a man (Digobert Farol) in a very homely dress, saying: “My wife, how could you possibly ask me to go out and fight the Neongos? I am a simple disarmed man, and they had a fleet of warships!”
“Yes! I am well aware that you are a simple man!”—Said she, provoking more laughs, when pronouncing those eleven words with marked irony.
Two men arrive abruptly (Sarrion Fegal and Marmachucken Fedigoifor) -- bumps on Digobert, who said:’ Neighbors in my living room! What are you doing here, Sirs?”
“The cannons fired to a spaceship! Oh, the retaliation could be terrible!”—Sarrion said, rubbing his hands.
“Wish they are blown up sky high! But, do you see more?”—Miss Lamat utters
“Yes! The spaceship Bursa into flames!”—Marmachucken said, and in that instant terrible blows were heard in the scenery: angry red flames fluttered by the corners, and ayes of pain were also heard—the floor seems to rumble and rock.
“What was that? The spaceship falling on us?”—Miss Lamat said, and run to take a peek to a side of the scenery.
“What happens?”—The three men asked, not moving from their sites.
“Fires are all over the city of Oredloro! Seemingly, the spaceship explodes and the igneous pieces fall on edifices and the fires is on everybody!”—Miss Lamat said, in a hurt voice.
“Let me see!”—Sarrion said, running to see to a side and the others followed him. The scenario changes and they were on a roof, looking some buildings a—burning fiercely.
“This is no debris that causes this!”—Sarrion said.
“These were missiles!”—Marmachucken said.
“We are all doomed!’—Digobert yelled, and after a couple of seconds, Miss Lamat said:” What are you doing there, staring as old turtles?”
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“Let’s go there to help!”—She said, and walked out of the scenario.
“What a fiery woman! She is really brave.”—Sarrion said.
“I cannot risk myself! I have too many debts.”—Digobert said, and some laughs spurted among the audience.
“A woman has more guts than us? Let us go there and be of help!”—Marmachucken said, also departing from the scenery. Sarrion looks unto Digobert, saying:” And you, worrying for your debts! If you die helping, I am sure your debtors aren’t going to Hades to pursue you for your debts!”—
“You are right! Let’s go!”—Digobert said, running alter him.
Curtains down.
A row of applause was heard, and the five actors embrace one another, saying:” Success! Good acting!”—Others also come to express their congratulations. Then Digobert said:” Three minutes for the next act! Next group, be ready!”
When the curtains goes up, the scene was inside a big Hospital room—rows of beds were seeing at both sides; doctors and nurses were very busy, going from bed to bed, and a surgeon was cutting and stitching at a side—Nadidodula Naderin was one of the nurses, the doctor who was cutting was Maschio Latikofagorten, Marmachucken Fedigoifor was the anesthetist – the person who was being operated was; of course sedated and asleep. (Digobert).
The doctor said: “This is a severe case of liver failure—pieces of metal all around, severed veins.”
“Poor people! This ward is full of people who was happy on their homes, and now look at them! Yelling in pain, members of their bodies to be cut, eyes that will not see!”—Nadidodula said.
“Pass me the forceps! Yes, it is a pity! But, one moment we are here, and at the next we are gone!”—Doctor” Maschio said, moping the wound.
“There was a child – with half a head! Terrible—her mouth was open and she was panting. Oh, I don’t know how she was still alive!”—Nadidodula said.
“Life finds the way—sometimes the body finds the way to stay working no matter if without parts of what was had previously.’—Maschio said, now stitching.
The place rocks, and some nurses falls to the floor—alarms and sirens were heard.
A soldier come in, saying: “Stay calm! It’s not an attack, but some buildings leaking gas!”
“This sick person needs your help!”—A nurse said to Maschio, who waved to his aids to bring that stretcher to his post—the already operated person was moved to a side, and this new one was set in place. The doctor moves the sheet to a side and a terrible wound on a leg was shown: it was Lamat, “fainted”.
“Oh! This leg must be amputated! Pass me the scalpel! “—Doctor Maschio said, after applying pincers to the bigger veins and arteries.
He begins to cut, and when only the bone was in view, he cut the bone with a small sharpened chirurgical saw. The noise of it working on that body filled the audience with horror.
“Poor woman! She will be not able to walk again!”—Nurse Nadidodula said.
“Why not? She will get a new cloned leg—in time, of course. Right now, she will have to wait for a couple of months!”—Doctor Maschio said, taking the severed leg and throwing it on a bucket.
“You mean—they are going to grow another leg—and foot—by the remnants?”—Nurse Nadidodula asked.
“Of course not, lady! There is special growing technique—it will grow from the wound down to the toe! Cloning legs and then stitch together to the body is a thing of the past!”—Doctor Maschio said, repeating what was the last achievement in the realm of Knapp (In Earth, it was an old technique already!).
“This attack was made by people who lost a war against us—they were living in a planet named Jerifordion.”—Dr. Maschio said, stitching the remains of that leg.
“So this is a pay—back?”—Nadidodula asked.
“Of course yes! Now we haven’t a star fleet anymore! The Neongos had won the celestial battle!”—Marmachucken replied, who was the second assistant.
“Ready! Take her to the Recovery room! She will need a psychiatrist, pronto!”—Dr. Maschio said.
All the while, wailing was being heard and sound of fire trucks and people yelling from the street.
14
The curtain falls on that terrible scene, and the people applauded—they had memories of those days.
Digobert said:’ Fast! Now the next scene must be as fast as we could be ready! Miss Lamat! You have plenty of time to clean your leg now! “—Digobert said, knowing that she was not appearing in this next scene.
When ready, the curtains went up, showing a new scene, plus the omnipresent holographic smaller things and/or people, that just appears to give the necessary “atmosphere”.
Characters: King Knapp 33= Sarrion Fegal; AB Assistant to the king= Maschio;
Chancellor Forgas= Digobert;
It was the king’s chamber—ruling Knapp 33-- the same person that was ruling the planet outside the fiction! And it was been impersonating by Sarrion Fegal, who was tall and handsome. The king was seated at a royal desk of golden appearance; at his side was an AB – an Assistant, and he was leafing through a yellow book.
“Plenty of recommendations from my royal parents here, AB 030.”—The king said.
“Sire, you have an appointment with the Chancellor Forgas in five minutes more.”—AB 030 said, who was impersonating by Maschio.
“All right, tell him to come in!”—King Knapp 33 ordered.
Chancellor Forgas (Digobert) enters, salutes and the King said:’ Seat down, Chancellor! I call on you because, in my recent conversations with the man in charge of the alien Starfleet from Domicilium satellite, I promise him the post of Chief of our Army Forces. This was so, because they had the power to make us stay without aerial communication between our cities. Also I obtain the opening of the space commerce between us and the rest of the planetary systems!”
“Good negotiation, Your Majesty! “—Chancellor Forgas said, adding:” The chief of the Army are you, of course.”
“Yes, me. I am above this Daron who appears to me as a mighty Admiral with profusion of battle ships but now I know he has only one Cruiser and one armored space freighter with capacity to fire C beams!”
Chancellor Forgas was surprised to hear it, and said:” Remarkably! In fact, this Admiral has no fleet at all!”
The king paced the room (the stage) saying:” I give my word and I am as good as my word. But I will call on the Federation of planets—I need their help.”
“Of course, Your Majesty. The Army Forces had several small spaceships capable of to fly into the first Brana. I will be honored if Your Majesty designs me as your special envoy to Earth!”—Chancellor Forgas said.
King Knapp 33 smiled briefly and said:” Right to the point! Of course, this mission is dangerous—but if you volunteer, I will give you some memory pills to deliver to the high council of the Federation of Planets, explaining with films and pictures what happened here—plus the demise of their spaceships at the hands of the Neongos!”
“I accept, Your Majesty! Permits me to use a vessel.”—Chancellor Forgas asked and of course, the King Knapp 33 accepts. The curtain was drawn and when raised again, a beautiful vista of planet Knapp was in sight—a silvery vessel departs from it, travels through space, traverse through the Branas and appears next to the Solar System—all of it with wonderful music that transported the audience to the marvels of the cosmos—then the curtains went down—for the next scene—this time ,on a terrene street, with a big building to the right, and the silvery spaceship to the left. From a side, appears a dozen persons to give the welcome, most of them beautiful young women in short pants and small shirts—and they sing:’ Welcome to Earth, you who arrives today from the far away Knapp, the planet of the dinosaurs! Welcome, happy traveler; be assured we meant well to anyone coming from Knapp, the beautiful planet of the dinosaurs!”
After the song was played, the Chancellor Forgas walked to the center of the stage, saying:’ I salute you, mighty Ministry of Foreign Policies! I am Chancellor
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Forgas, envoy from His Majesty the King Knapp 33! I am the bringer of bad news and I am here to ask for your help!”
A man from the earthian group detached from the right, saying:’ Welcome, Chancellor Forgas from the Knapp realm! I am Justo Valenzuela, the Ministry of Foreign Policies! I am sorry to hear bad news and happy if we could provide your planet and community of any help! Speak, that we are prone to hear and offer help to our friends from beyond our Brana!”
Chancellor Forgas said:” The Neongos Star Fleet had won the war against your VI Star Fleet at Knapp planet and destroyed our Royal Armada! Now we are waiting your help to reduce the Neongos Starfleet to nothing!’
The Ministry of Foreign Policies said:” Of course! But let us talk at my office! This place was for a jolly reception—that now it was out of place! Please, follow me, Chancellor!”
One portion of the scenery darkened and the other transforms into an office, desk and all. The chairs were brought by “Assistants” of the Ministry of Foreign Policies, and Chancellor Forgas seats in front of that holographic desk, while the Ministry reads the information carried by the Chancellor in those memory pills. Then he raises his eyes and said:” But this is grave! I am sure the President will be moved with this notice… do you have where to stay, Chancellor?”
“No. But I will choose any Hotel for me and Assistants, of course.”—Chancellor Forgas replied.
“No, no! We will offer you our full hospitality! We have a special and safe hotel for important visits: the “Curahuilla Hotel”. Let me tell my Assistants to help you arrive there… “—The Ministry said, and calls an Assistant to give him the necessary instructions…
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Forgas said:’ When could I receive a reply, Sir? Every day of delay counts—as I said, now there are only two enemy vessels—later, it could be more.”
“Of course, and I understand your urgency, Chancellor. But first I must inform the President and the Chamber of the Senate. It will require some time—a matter of days. I should say: “—Replied the Ministry Justo Valenzuela.
“I thanks you in the name of the King Knapp 33 and the people of Knapp.—“ Chancellor Forgas said, standing up and walking out of the stage. The Ministry uses a holographic set, and soon he was talking with the President of the Solar System, who said:” What is this time, Valenzuela? You know I’m in vacations!”
“Yes, President, but this is urgent! I had received Chancellor Forgas from the kingdom of Knapp.”—Ministry Valenzuela said.
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“Oh. And what happens with him—or his Majesty the king Knapp 33?”—The President asked.
“Invaded by a race of humanoids—they are called the Neongos. The spaceships we sent there to visit the kingdom help them against the Neongos, but were defeated entirely. I read the memory pills, and the enemy now has only two space vessels remaining—one of them a space cruiser, the other a space freighter! “—Ministry Valenzuela said.
“What a catastrophe! Call the Chief of the star fleet command! I will give orders to begin a retaliation on the Neongos! It’s an outrage as well as a tragedy for us all—the demise of so many able astronauts! “—The President said.
“Are you going to return from your Vacations, Sir? People are very touchy in these cases—
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A president that didn’t cut his vacations no matter a whole wing of the Starfleet is lost, could be criticized acidly.”—The Ministry Valenzuela said and recommended.
“You are right, Ministry Valenzuela! I will return to my post tonight! See you at my office, later.”—The President said, ending the conversation.
The Ministry Valenzuela keeps on looking at the holographic set (now without images) and then said:” Yes, Mr. President! Your Vacations are over!”
The curtains went down, and the people of the audience clapped their hands for a while.
Romantic music ensued, with vistas of the Earth and their cities—behind the curtains, the actors were busy locating themselves on high chairs—with the magic of holographic, they soon appears as astronauts in one of the mighty Star Cruisers of the Terran Starfleet.
20
The curtains went up again, and the interior of a flagship was in plain sight; the actors seems to be dressed in astronaut outfits and in front of command consoles. The captain (Digobert Farol) says:” Enemy ship in front! Gunner! Fire photon torpedoes!”
Sarrion, the gunner, pushed figures at his console, says:” Five photon torpedoes fired, Sir! The space-freighter will be fried in just a moment!”
“Fried is not an acceptable military expression, Gunner!”—The captain scoffed him, and from the audience somebody laughed.
Several concussions and explosions later, and the Captain said:” It’s fighting back! Use the C beam cannon on them!”
The gunner said:” They will be demolished with that, Captain!”
“Worst for them! They refused to surrender!”—The captain said, and before he ends the phrase, a flash of light and a mighty rumble was heard—then, silence—broken by the radar man (Marmachuken) saying:” There is nothing left of that armored space freighter now, Sir! Other spaceships also had fired against the freighter!”
“Good! Where’s the other enemy vessel?”—The Captain asked.
“Out of range, Sir! But wait! It’s escaping to the next Brana!”—The long
Radar man said.
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“Lost! But apparently we defeated the Neongos fleet!”—The captain said, and in a moment, the confirmation arrives by the holographic set—an officer, with enough stars on his breast pocket to represent a whole galaxy, said:’ To all the spaceships from the Star Fleet : present you at the Knappian kingdom: the enemy has been defeated! Long and free life to the realm of Knapp!”—
They all cheered—in the public too—and the curtains went down, to raise one minute later—to show a gay street in Oredloro city, full of people dancing happily—here the music was used to dance—every actor was dancing, some of them with astronaut outfit—the female models with scant clothes, showing beautiful legs, danced and smiled for the benefit of the male audience.
Eight minutes later, the curtains went down, finally, and the words “The End” were projected there, but the music keeps resounding until the final group of people leaves the “Suhrim Theatre”.
At the dress—rooms, everyone was happy, saying how glad were the public, how long they had applauded, and things like that.
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The same performance was repeated at 20 hours and at 23.00 hours.
Mr. Boskon Korbl, who had attended the three representations, said:” I congratulate you all! Keep in this way, and we will get rich!”
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Digobert was sure the actors will keep on performing in a good manner, but that was the half of the equation: the audience was the important half.
The critics about their play were magnanimous and the advertisements keep on, so they could work at the “Suhrim Theatre” for those fifteen days and more! When the 90th. representation was worked out, Mr. Boskon Korbl talks with Digobert Farol, saying:” I guess it’s time to change the play, don’t you think? We don’t want to fatigue the audience, won’t us?”
“Yes, Mr. Korbl! We’ll change the play right now. The next play was “The nights of Lady Shurvana”, do you know something about it?’—Digobert asked him.
“I don’t recall her name. Was she some obscure queen of old?”—Mr. Korbl asked.
“No, she was a governor! But never mind! Her story is very interesting—you will like it!”—Digobert said.
“Please don’t forget the starlets! Young women appearing on the stage, dancing and singing! Men likes that—your play could be saved by those niceties.”—Mr. Boskon Korbl said, and invited the group to a dinner party, to celebrate the change of play. At that dinner, in a fine Restaurant, he said:” I congratulate you because success was the name of our last play!”
They cheered, and more than one asks for an increase in their wages. Digobert said:’ this trip is becoming successful. Now we’ll begin playing “The nights of Lady Shurvana”. I must say that our group of dancing young ladies has to play a part! Here people love singing, and men loves pretty women. So our success will be certain if we just did what in the past has been donned: play our individual parts as best as we are able to do.”
“We always do!”—Miss Lamat Digot proudly said.
Digobert added:” We know that the play “The nights of Lady Shurvana” is half fiction. The poor lady was a widow and she takes refuge on a half completed and little town. His relations with the others are mainly circumstantial. But here, to enlighten the drama, we present a Lady Shurvana prompt to have delight on love affairs . So in this play are lots of ceremonies and dancing parties.”
“Who tells the truth? Truth is very commonly a boring episode!”—Miss Lamat Digot said.
“Well said!”—Sarrion Fegal said, rising his glass of wine. Latigotifor was munching some piece of Lambeosaur*, and said:” What impress me the most is the spirit of that lady, alone in a wild environ, but all the while, commanding and being respected by everyone.”
“There are a few of us that has guts!”—Nadidodula said, eating some lettuce with mayonnaise.
“I love this play! You can stop lunching, with all that food that will be ready to eat on stage!”—Maschio Latikofagorten said.
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Some days later, at the “Suhrim Theatre”, they present the first act with the “Suhrim Theatre” full of people/
The curtains went up and the scene starts on an office, with a man seated in front of a big mahogany desk. A person enters, saying:’ Lady Shurvana is here, Ministry! She has an appointed with you at this hour. Remember the Queen is requesting a good job for her.”
“Yes, now I remember! This recommendation is like an order, I will give her the town of Lubina to be administrated. Not many people down there, so she cannot screw up things too much.”—The Ministry said, not in the best of moods.
After some time, Lady Shurvana appears. (She is, of course, Miss Lamat Digot). She looks full of energy, and is wearing a black dress with no decoration, rings or necklace. She bows a little and seats on the chair in front of the desk, saying:” Good afternoon, Minister. I’m Lady Shurvana, widow of lord Bifeno. I’m here as the Queen Maculla said that you can give me the administration of a town. I’m sure I could handle it—I have some diplomas and experience to prove it.”
“Yes, lady Shurvana, good to know you. The town of Lubina is located at 840 kilometers from here. Maybe you’ll be out of place in there, as there’s no social life at all. Moreover, there are only peasants and a couple of merchants, apart than a Bank.”—The Ministry said.
“So more the better, Ministry! After the decease of my husband, I had lost any interest in dancing parties or social reunions with people who had so much money that they bored in life. At Lubina, I am sure; I will be working from sunrise to sundown while helping others. “—Lady Shurvana said, and some people at the audience applauded.
“As you wish, Lady Shurvana. The title is governor—you will be the second governor in town. Three AB assistants will go with you, and there’s a building there for your use.”—The Ministry said, after looking at the personal holographic set.
“I thanks you, Sir. But I must ask you some other questions of importance, before I depart.”—Lady Shurvana said.
“Ask whatever you like, Lady; I have in here all the available information.”—He said, looking at the holographic set.
“How much money I will have to help people down there? And about my wages, I want to know how much it’s going to be.”—Lady Shurvana said, thinking probably in her daughters.
“You, as the governor, will receive three thousand Credits a month. There’s an amount to expend in wages, machinery and developments of 300.000 Credits a year.”—The Ministry said.
“All right. When I will be counting with that money?’—Lady Shurvana asked.
“Before your departure, Lady Shurvana; I think in a week elapsing time;
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And there will be an Army aerial vehicle to carry you and your assistants to Lubina town.”—The Ministry said.
“Well, I think I will read this memory pills to the full, and then if I have any question, I will come here again—if you permits it.”—She said, dreamily.
“Yes, of course, Lady Shurvana—you are now a Governor, and the title is important, I assure you.”—The Ministry said.
After she was gone, he calls his Secretary, saying:’ She is the new Governor of Lubina: Lady Shurvana, recommended by the Queen Maculla herself. Prepare her wages and the money that place is assigned with. Call the Aerial Royal Forces, to prepare a Wagon Flier to travel when we decided—possibly in five or six days more.”
“Very well, Sir. I will advise the Ministry of Colonization for it, and the Aerial Forces—a bigger aerial vehicle could be of use too, Sir—a Wagon Flier for a full Governor is not too impressive.”—The Secretary reminded him.
“Or a Frigate! Perhaps to impress those simpletons a big spaceship could do—no matter how old it could be. “—The Ministry said, smiling his own joke.
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At the stage, the lights were dimmed and then another scene ensued—this time was apparently a hotel room, with Shurvana lying on a bed, looking at a portable holographic set, and a small box with memory pills. After some seconds, she said:” Well, I guess I have a real problem in my hands!”
The holographic set gives a beep and she pressed a section in the controls—a woman‘s face appears, saying:’ “Hi, dear! Hope I’m not bothering you at this hour of the night!”
“Of course not, Your Majesty! I was looking at the information the Ministry of Foreign Policies just gives me, about Lubina administration!”—Shurvana said.
“Yes, of course. Too many troubles?”—The Queen Maculla asked.
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“Not for me, Your Majesty. I know I cannot cope with it all in a day or two, but give me time and I’ll solve them all.”—Shurvana said.
“Of course, my dear! Don’t forget to blame me if the town it’s too boring.”—The Queen Maculla recommended.
“I only want you to stay in touch with me, Your Majesty! Perhaps a communication once and then could be possibly?”—Shurvana said, not willing to go to the oblivion in one stroke.
“Of course I will not forget you, my dear! Well, good night and have a nice trip! Bye.”—The Queen Maculla said, ending the conversation.
The scene ends with the curtains going down. Digobert Farol said:’ Hurry! Now it comes the scene of the welcome!”—And he takes Lamat Digot by the hand.
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“How did I do it?’—She asked, while they climb by a wooden structure or ramp.
“Fine, just fine! Now you descend from the ramp and are received by the military attaché.’
“Of course! I almost don’t say a word, in this scene!”—Lamat Digot said.
“Yes, it is music and dance!”—Digobert said, leaving her on top of that ramp, and he descended rapidly.
An assistant approaches him, saying:’ All it’s ready, sir.”—
“All right! Holographic on! Curtains up!”—He said, and the people at the “Suhrim Theatre” could see now a splendid panorama—at their right, the Cruiser and Lady Shurvana descending; to the right, a small town with a building three stories high and a man approaching, who finally said to her:” Welcome to our Lubina Town, Miss Shurvana! Please accept some music and dance we had prepared for your welcome!”
She smiled, seeing men and women dressed in green and yellow costume, and said:” Of course, and I’m happy to be here.”
And then the music begins, with the female dancers using their tight dresses, and the males jumping and capering around. This takes fifteen minutes of the play, and then the man said:” Hope you like it, Governor Shurvana!”
“Yes, it was very interesting! Now, show me the Governor’s building!”
The man said.” I am but the general manager of the only Bank here on Lubina. Please accept my apologizes.”
“Of course. Who was replacing the Governor?”—Lady Shurvana asked.
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• The Chief of police, Milady! Here he comes!”—Said the Bank Manager—A big man in his forties arrives, saying:’ Welcome, Governor Shurvana! I am the Chief of Police and here are the keys of your new home!”
“Thanks you. Assistants, follow me!”—Lady Shurvana said to her seven AB artificial persons body guards. Some military men from the aerial vehicle precedes them.
There was a fleeting image of the building, and then of some dusty rooms.
“But this is unacceptable! There’s no order nor maintenance here?”—Lady Shurvana asked to the Chief of Police.
“My Lady, we didn’t know you were coming today! But don’t worry: I will send some town women to mop the place!”—The Chief of Police said.
“No way! I will sent my own people to do this job! But you’ll be presenting your resignation tomorrow morning at my new office!”—Shurvana said, enraged.
The AB begin cleaning and Miss Shurvana was at the street, looking at the peasants= a woman approaches her, saying:” Governor: I invite you to my home for tonight! It’s not fair that you must to be waiting in the cold for a dusty bed!”
Shurvana looked at her and said:” Certainly this situation is very disappointing! Let me call a couple of Assistants and I will be with you!”
She calls for two AB synthetic persons, and they walked by the street—a nice house—they enter—and next to the fire, an old man bowed and said;” Good evening, Governor! Don’t you want
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A nice glass of wine?”
“Yes, thanks you.”—Shurvana said, coughing.
Once seated in front of the fireplace, she drinks the wine and fell asleep. The old man calls his wife and whispered;” Let’s awake her! This is not a good way to be sleeping!”
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The woman touches an arm of Lady Shurvana and she stared at the woman, saying:’ what? Oh, I feel asleep! It had been a long day for me!”
“Yes, please follow me to your bedchamber! “—The town woman said; soon they were at a very ordinary room, with a big bed made of beams.
“Here you’ll be fine! It’s our guest room for rent. Here you have a bell—just sound it if you want anything!”—The woman said.
“Of course, there must be a bathroom somewhere?”—Shurvana asked, looking at the solitary lamp hanging from a fly specked ceiling.
“Oh, yes, Milady! Down the corridor, to the left!”—The woman said, bowing ridiculously.
Shurvana looked at the synthetic men, saying:’ I want you on the corridor outside my bedroom, for protection!”
They went outside, with the hostess; she close the door and went to sleep at the bed, but soon she was standing and saying;’ What? It smell like rat urine!”
She stomped to the ground floor, with the AB men behind, and walking out to the street she finds a military man and said:” Lead me to the governor’s house! I cannot resist a poor house with rats in it!”
“This way, Milady!”—The soldier said, afraid to dissatisfied her request.
The Governor’s house was now radiant—the old door was painted blue; the bedroom was clean and more lights were shining at the corners.
“This is better!’—She said.
“We use an aspirator, Governor! The dust was aspirated and expulsed to the street!”—A man said.
“Fine. I want e—men on the corridors, two on the front door, and with weapons! I don’t want to be harassed in any form. Shoot if you must!”—Shurvana said, her mind reeling with so many memories of dead functionaries killed the first week they take command on some small towns all over the planet.
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The scene changes—a very ordinary bedroom, with blankets. Shurvana said: What a cold! It’s not a stove in here?”
“No, Governor! But I can bring you a bucket with red hot coals.”—An AB said.
“No, I detest that smell! I have a better idea: you will sleep at my side. Set your external temperature to 30 Centigrade!”—Shurvana said, and she went to bed with the Assistant, who smiled.
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The scene blurred and darkened. At another side of the stage, appears the Police Station and then a room. A desk—the Captain of the Police was seated in front of a group of farmers and said”: And now, what do you want in here, Mr. Darude? More complains about the seeds you don’t get?’
“Yes, seeds! We want seeds! Now that a lady is the Governor, I am sure you could ask her for an appointment—I need to talk with her about our problems.”—The man said: he was Darude, the president of the Farmer’s association and spokesperson.
“I tell you what: you go to the Governor’s office and ask for that appointment yourself! I have a lot of things to do in here!”—The Chief of Police said, not willing to goes there, or the lady could remember she fired him from office.
Darude looks on his wristwatch and said:’ I guess it’s too late to go bothering the lady! I’ll be going
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There tomorrow! And as I’m in town, I will get some fun of it!”—And he walked out of that office.
Another section of the stage was now alighted, showing a Bar, with people drinking on a long table. Darude seats at the end of it; suddenly the music start, and eighteen beautiful ladies, dressed in brown leather, short pants and yellow blouses, appears dancing to the utmost merriment of the male audience.
After the dance, each woman chooses a gentleman and after some small talk, the music begins again and they all cabriole ,yelled and danced with those exquisite women—but somebody wants to dance with an already coupled female, and a big row of a fight ensued. After the place was badly broken, the police chief and his assistants carried the guys to jail, with the Chief of Police yelling everybody at heart’s content.
Curtains down—a break. People could go out and buy drinks, candies, sandwiches, etc. at the Parlor’s hall. Then, some rings, and after they were all seated again, the curtains went up, and a river was seen, showing a lot of trees, grass, rocks and a group of females appears—in the center of them, Lady Shurvana walks like a queen, saying;” It’s a hot day for everyone! I will take my daily bath at the river—that small shower room at the Government’s house is really disgusting.”
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Now the scene shows her on the water, mainly walking and throwing water over her head [time to admire the good shape Miss Lamat Digot (“Shurvana”) is having). A soft music accompanies this scene, with the three e—females dancing and laughing—showing a lot more skin than the actress…
Darude appears at the end of fifteen minutes of this , asking for a conversation with Shurvana. She was told about this by one of her assistants—she said to Darude:’ What do you want from me, good man?”
“Seeds, Governor Shurvana! Seeds! The previous Governor never gave us all the seeds we wanted! And you are here, to help us!”—Darude said.
“Silly you! I am here to take a bath!”—Lady Shurvana retorted, and her maids laughed.
“Oh , yes! I see you are in the river! But take care! There are crocodiles in this waters!”—Darude informed her.
“I am not afraid of crocodiles!”—She said, but soon she was out of the water, being dried by her assistants. She takes a towel and wrapped in it, then said:” I grant your request! Go to the Administration and ask for your seeds! And go right now: don’t you see I’m taking a bath?”
“Yes, Madam! Yes, I’m going right now.”—Darude said, throttling out of the scene, for the merriment of the public.
Shurvana takes the towel from her body and said:’ bring me my clothes!”
The maids brought her the clothes,
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While she takes her swimming dress out, and dressed calmly giving a view of her beautiful back to the audience, for the delight of more than one gentleman.
The scene goes to black, and at the other side of the stage, an angry couple of Velociraptor appears, eating a cow. A road at the back, where a truck appears running as hell. The truck turns right, and now we are following it to a town—a sign post with the name “Lubina Town” in it appears, and a close up of the driver is seen. It’s a man (Sarrion Fegal); then the scene shows the interior of a barn. Darude appears there, looking to all sides—a truck stops at the entrance, and the driver, who is also the barn keeper, stepped down.
“Good morning, young fellow! What do you want in here?”—The man from the truck asked him.
“I am Darude Bean, the Director from the Lubina Farmer’s Association. I come from a talk I had with the new governor, Miss Shurvana, and she told me to take the rest of the seeds you can have here! Hope you have a lot.”—Darude said.
The man seats on a sac of grains, saying:” Oh, yeah! Plenty of seeds! Mainly beans, soy beans. Three hundred kilos of it.”
“Only that? Soy beans?”
“And lettuce, carrot seeds, some potatoes, some corn. Well, mainly samples of it. If you
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Said you want it all, no problem! You can take it those, too—have you a truck?”
“Oh, yes! I come to town in a truck I used at the field.”—Darude said.
“OK, buddy! But take heed: I saw a couple of Velociraptor eating something on the road to here—watch that they don’t eat you on your way out!”—The barn keeper said, merrily.
During the next twenty minutes, the audience could see Darude toiling with the sacs of grains, carrying it up to the back of his truck, not being aided by the barn keeper, who was listening to a radio that was playing gaily music (for the entertainment of the people, who could see some ballerinas dancing on a corner).
Then, a sudden change: Darude at his truck, fully loaded and going fast by the road—the couple of Velociraptor saw it and run to intercept it—one goes by the right, making Darude turn left—out of the
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Road, dirt—a—flying—this change of direction slows down the truck, permitting (or allowing) the next Velociraptor to jump to the rear, ripping sacs in its way to the cabin.
The beast almost catch Darude unawares, because he was bumping while returning to the road) and so he close the door—but the creature smashes it with a blow of its head.
“Go away!”—Darude said, firing the brute with his old bullet gun. The blood spurted all around, and the Velociraptor begin kicking the door as good as a pneumatic hammer—the door hinges gives way, and disappear together with the dinosaur.
Darude looks by the left mirror, saying:’ Good riddance, you grain robber!”
The scene ends with the truck going by a road to the mountains…
The scene changes again—to a side: a group of rude farmers standing on the side of the road, complaining about the lack of aid from the government.
“Wish the government believe in our plight!”
“Yes! So many promises and here we are almost abandoned in the wild.”
“I brought my family here and look how they pay me!”
“We need seeds!”
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Soon they see a cloud of dust in the distance…
“Look! Seems a stampede of Lambeosaurus!”
“Yeah! Hope they turn and avoid us!”
“No! It’s a truck! Must be Darude!
”Well, yes! I think there’s no other truck as the one he gets from the Governor—old and clacking!”
The truck stops at their side and Darude descended, saying:” Hi, Guys! Guess what? I brought seeds! The new Governor gives me everything they had on that warehouse!”
“Let’s see it!”—A farmer said, and Darude lift the tarpaulin, showing them the seeds they were asking for.
“Now we are secured for a couple of years! “—Another farmer said.
“We must protect this seeds. We must secure seeds at the time of the harvest. For the future.’—Darude recommended. But many of them just believe the government has the obligation to provide just as well…
A group of women from the village appears by the side, and danced and there was lively music for the audience—time of the dancing, twenty minutes.
Another change of scenery—from the left, a picture develops to the sight until the audience could only see the side of a mountain and a big stone wall. Several workers appears, and soon a truck brought stones and mortar , the workers begin their toil, using ladders and stairs—Shurvana appears being carried in a palanquin by her Artificial Beings; a man appeared also, coming from the other side. Shurvana stands up and said:’ …! You lazy engineer! How come that you hadn’t finished my tower?”
“But ,Governor! I had only twenty workers and one truck to do all the work! I need at least 200 workers and 10 trucks!”—The man said, bowing.
“Inept! I will call for more workers! But pay attention: if in half a year you didn’t finish this tower, I swear I’ll cover my bed chamber with your body under the ground!”
“Yes, Milady.”
Shurvana walked to inspect the wall—a man appeared—he was Darude.
“You call for me, Governor?”
“Yes! Two days ago! Why you didn’t come here at once?”—Shurvana said, staring at him with rage.
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“I was busy with the harvest, Governor, and the truck we own breaks up! I come on foot, Milady! “—Darude said, visibly afraid.
“You have experience delivering good excuses! I barely believe you! But here is what I want of you: I need trucks and workers to finish this tower! You will be going to Oredloro and beg for trucks and AB people—more than 200 is what I need! Tell them I’m building an Hospital! Tell them I need doctors, nurses, and medicines!-- Shurvana said.
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“An hospital for the people? Good idea, Governor! The people will be certainly most happy to hear it!”—Darude said.
“Yeah, whatever. Now you are my Chancellor, as man with power! I will ask for a flier to the government! Be ready to depart—you will stay at the governor’s house by now! “—Shurvana commanded.
“Oh! But my land—and my wife?”—Darude asked her.
“Call her here! Perhaps she could serve me at the kitchen!”—Shurvana said, climbing to the palanquin, the Artificial Beings takes it and departed, crossing the scenery under a glorious march, while Darude stays there fumbling his hat on his hands. When alone, he said:’ and they are still people who say women are the weak sex!”
Curtains.
During the 18 minutes that the curtains are down, the actors dressed themselves for the finals; they were now using the best clothes, and all the hired young lovely women are dressed (scanty dressed) in translucent clothes.
Curtains up and the scene is the same tower, but this time finished—Darude and the farmers at a side; the Chief of Police and the women at the other side—the palanquin is now brought by six AB males and Shurvana descends with a long dark red dress, but that shows more than it hides.
And taking the shy Darude to dance, the music begins and everyone danced on the stage.
20 minutes later, curtains down and it was the end of the play.
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The producer and owner of the “Suhrim Theatre”, Mr. Boskon Korbl, was at the exit, looking at the faces and hearing what they say about the play and the performance – in all, men were satisfied and women happy to see them portrayed by Shurvana, the woman who notwithstanding being a young widower, fights for an important place in society.
Later, Korbl visits the actors at their dressing rooms, saying he was very pleased by their acting and announcing they were all invited to his home, where he will offer a banquet to celebrate their success.
“Fine! At last somebody understands we are valuable!”—Marmachucken said, cleaning his face from the powders he had used while acting.
“The future representations could be spared! I recorded it all! We can project the whole drama with holographic vision—for once; the people will not notice a thing.”—Mr. Korbl said, opening a big leeway for them= less work. Considerable lest work!
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Lamat Digot said: “But we must appear coming to work!”
“Of course! You just appear here everyday at every representation! And waits at your dressing room! I am sure you could do that!”—The owner of the “Suhrim Theatre” said, blinking an eye to everyone.
“Well—as long as our wages keeps on being untouched…”—Digobert Farol said, looking at this Producer with utmost suspicion.
“Of course! Nothing else changes!”—Mr. Boskon Korbl said.
They celebrate their sheer luck and the presentations keep on for two weeks; then, Mr. Korbl calls on Digobert Farol, saying:’ we need another play! People is coming in less quantities now.”
“I see no problem…”—Farol said, but he was discouraged.—he was certain the present play could had been going for more than a month!
“You don’t believe me? See the charts! Full sells the first week, and now it’s a 27% less! I cannot wait for a 40 or 50 % less!”—Boskon Korbl shows him a graphic.
“All right, in two days we could play the next play—you should close for that day.”—
“No! Why? You just play in front of the audience!”—Korbl laughed, understanding that these actors need some rehearsals first, but too in a hurry to wait.
“No problem, then! We will work hard, beginning now.”—Digobert Farol said, and two hours later, they were all in a room, at the “Suhrim Theatre”, talking about it.
“Why the hurry? I see people waiting in files in front of the vendor...! I am sure the Producer wants us to play all of our repertory, so he could keep on filming
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And giving the people holographic versions of us.”—Lamat said.
“As long as he pays…”—Nadidodula said, lazily. She was happy that some machine could do the job for her.
“Mr. Korbl was adamant, I tell you! If we refuse, I’m sure this job is over for us.”—Digobert Farol said, looking in despair.
Maschio said:” We have a signed contract, why the worries? Let’s play our next obra! I need some acting, myself. I am an actor! Not some old fat merchant!”
They all realize he was right, and begin rehearsing that same day. In two days, they were ready to begin acting, as they had represented that same play in previous occasions.
The play was “Perion of Janarvia”, and when the curtains lift up, two days later, the whole team was in custom there. The audience applauded. The seats were all occupied, and Mr. Boskon Korbl laughed at his office, looking at the amount of money he had collected that day…
The curtains goes up, and a spaceship was seeing traveling on the backwards, and several actors were shown at a side, apparently on an office. There was the usual big and long table and seated around it the actors begin to speak.
Digobert Farol portraying Mr. Perion said:” I have this project of mining as you expect.”
Miss Lorenfa Magnin, 34 % shareholder, represented by Lamat Digot said:’ We choose you because we know you have good ideas.”—
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Perion (Digobert Farol) said:’ With one single cargo spaceship we could earn millions! The Brana jumps are available and we could grab planets with a bucket and for half the price than in our own Brana.”
Miss Lorenfa said:” The Brana voyages are dangerous, but we need a safe jacket, so I’m with you in this silly project.”
Gomer, another director (Sarrion Fegal) said:’ This Corporation needs money to survive and I adhere to your idea, Perion, but hear this: the spaceship must be a rented one; the operation cannot last more than three years and the mineral must be a very valuable one.”
“I know of several planets where with a little digging we could extract copper and gold to replenish the hauls of a cargo vessel.”—Perion explained.
“You have a green light for your project, Mr. Perion.”—The lady Lorenfa said—“But you must be aboard in that spaceship! We cannot be sure of personnel newly met for this enterprise.”
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Perion almost fall from his chair when hearing that, and said:” Me? But I’m an important person in the commercial section! I have a list of important clients that confides in me to buy our products! “
“They will confide in the second man at that section, I’m sure of it, Mr. Perion.”—Gomer growled from his chair—and as he was the general Manager, the case was settled right there…
The scene obscured and at the other corner was now appearing a table at a Restaurant—a female (Nadidodula Naderin portraying Perion’s fiancée, Miss Lamar Fewrio). Soon Perion approaches her, kissing her cheek, and seats in front of her at the table. She said:” Oh, dear! You left me waiting here for 20 full minutes! Where had you been?”
“Sorry, darling—I was at work.”—Perion said.
“Oh! That work gets the most of you!”—She said,
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Looking at him.
“It’s money, dear, I must look for the future! Perhaps I will need it for my future wife.”
“Oh! I thought love is the more important thing in this world!”—Lamar Fewrio said, making a grimace.
“You are the most important thing in the world for me, darling! Money is only to put the world at your feet!”—Perion said, taking her hands … An attendant appears with a cellphone, saying:” There’s a phone call for you, Mr. Perion.”
“Thanks you. Hello? Yes, wait!”—Perion said, and then he looks on his fiancée, saying:” This will take a minute, darling. It’s about my job.”
“Yes, your job. Go, attend it!”—She said, visibly upset.
Perion walked to a corner, saying:’ What do you want, Nogar?”
A voice said:” Well, I’m hired or not?”
“Yes, you are hired—you and your cargo spaceship! We need to bring back copper and some other materials. A piece of cake! I know of several desert planets full of those minerals! “—Perion said, and the voice responded:” You are a genius! Who will be going with me?”
“The Board of Directors wants me in charge! I will be saying good bye to my dozen fiancées! So I will be going there as the man in command! I will give you the right coordinates and maps where to start digging.”
“So—you go in this trip?”—The voice asked.
“Of course ! I will be there, waiting for my prompt return—I’ll pay you handsomely now, and the rest at our went back! What do you say about that?”—Perion asked, and the voice replied:’ All right, buddy! Come to my place with the maps and don’t forget to bring me the money!”
“Of course, man. See you!”—
“Bye.”—The voice said. Perion returns to that table, but the lady was gone. A waiter appears, saying:” Dinner for one, Sir?”
“Yes, Pancho. Bring me a couple of bottles of wine, too—I’m celebrating!”—The waiter laughed, and departs to comply with the order.
The lights dims and the scene was now at the opposite corner of the stage. An iron door is visibly on a brick wall; Perion appears, pressed a white rectangle on the door; it opens with a rasping noise—in front of him there is a man dressed in a black and silver uniform, looking intently.
“Captain Nogar at home?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Perion, your passenger and the man in charge of this expedition. Nice to meet you.”—He said, while the other let him pass inside—then, by a corridor, he guided Perion to a small room where Captain Nogar was seated playing cards with two other men.
“Hi, Perion! Takes a seat! We’re finishing a game, here.”—Nogar said, puffing smoke from a pipe. Soon he was winning the game, and the rest went out, grumbling their defeat. Nogar pocketed a handful of money, and said:” So you are going with us!”
“Yeah, there’s no way out of this! It is because the gains are much.”—Perion said, looking at the stained glasses that were on the table.
“Welcome, of course. I’m glad you go with us—the mining fields have a lot of work to do; and I’m only a spaceship’s captain! Profits and percentages are your lot; mine, it’s a nice wage.”—Nogar said, handling him a cigar, which Perion lights with a match.
“We’re to depart as soon as some other passengers arrives—no problem with them—you just storage them on the deep sleep coffins you have.”—Perion said, meaning the cryogenic pods.
“Some people calls them hibernation tanks, cryogenic pods or chambers of deep sleep. The truth it’s we get in there and loose a chunk of our life, for sure.”—Nogar said.
“The machinery will be ready in a week, same with the passengers! Where do you have your spaceship?”—Perion asked.
“Orbiting the planet! But you just go to the space port, Pole 4, Section B—there’s a nice shuttle craft there—able to carry all the load you want to the orbit! Let’s put a date to our departure, shall we?”_ Nogar asked.
“All right, the 151st day of this year. But of course, we must start before that with the carrying of machinery.”—Perion said.
“My shuttle is there right now! You can begin taking your stuff right now, and be ready by that date.”—Nogar said, puffing at his cigar—the room was now blurred with so many smoke.
“So be it! I’ll start making things tick! Bye, Nogar.”—Perion said, standing from his chair, but the hand of Nogar retains him at the chair, while he said:” Wait! Give me some juice now, buddy! Too many words and no cash?”
Perion gives him a check, and said:” It’s forty grand—enough to put a smile on your face?”
“Of course, patron!”—Nogar said, laughing.
The lights goes dim, and then appears a shuttle craft posed on the ground of a spaceport, and trucks and other vehicles coming and going from it—then another scene shows the interior of a space cargo vessel, and Captain Nogar was a corridor, saying:” All the passengers to the Pods! No time to waste!”
And some crewmen in black guide them through the corridor—Perion appears saying:” I hadn’t eat a sandwich in six hours! Give me a cup of coffee, Nogar!”
“You better go with an empty stomach! You’ll save yourself from an infection! Chamber six for our patron!”—
And a crewman guided him along the corridor…
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Perion said:” Is he always so funny?”
“No, Sir. Sometimes he is worst!”—The crewman chuckled.
The Scene now shows captain Nogar on the main cabin—in front of him (back of the stage) a huge screen shows stars and constellations—obviously, a front view of the sky seeing from the prow of the cargo spaceship.
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A man at the right seat said:’ Two months to the best departing point, Captain! Full throttle in one hour!”
“Yes, Warp 5 must be maintained. The I.A. electric people will be in charge from now on.”—Nogar said.
“We’ll get hibernated.”
“Of course, two months of eating and drinking it’s too much waste.”—Captain Nogar said.
“Do you trust in those coordinates they give you?”
“Why not? /Furthermore, the Brana 2 is a total mystery nowadays. Any planetary system is as good as the next.”—Captain Nogar said, yawning.
The scene changes and at the background the cargo spaceship was seen speeding towards a wormhole—crossing it in a flash, and reappearing in front of a huge red planet coming on its accustomed orbit.
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On the main cabin, two robots looking like persons said:” Planet ahead.”
Robot 2: “No time to awaking Captain Nogar”.
Robot 1:” Never minds that. We are in collision course.”—The electronic man said, punching a big red button, giving the alarm through the whole cargo spaceship; robot #1 said:” Planet unavoidable. Crash is imminent.”
“We’ll try to circle the planet. Set engines at full power.”
A grinding noise was heard. The scene now turns in red hues. A voice said:’ Main engine failure. The auxiliary engines are now in use.”
The scene changes to a primeval forest, with high hills to the right. Suddenly a roaring, approaching sound, and a huge machine appears descending from the sky, then avoids a total crash by turning to the left, and begin chopping tree trunks like they were boiled carrots. The spaceship ends its flight stomping on a group of boulders with a bang; a cloud of dirt and smoke darkened the view for some seconds.
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The scene changes and the view travels through corridors that had light in some sections only—the floor is wet with blood; corpses are lying everywhere, some of them not humans (cables and wires are seeing protruding from gashes at their bodies). Cracking noises all around, air hoses releasing hot fumes.
The Captain Nogar is seen half buried below a huge machine—a crack on a side shows the green foliage of a forest.
A man appears and walked out of the spaceship—he’s a middle aged man, Doctor Teciolar (Maschio Latigofagorten). He is seeing dragging people out of the crashed spaceship—a funereal music is playing all along this scene, together with soft explosions, grinding noises and puffs of vapor from the wreckage.
There were several bodies lying on the ground, and doctor Teciolar leaning on them until night come and darkness fell over the scene—only stars and shadows are seeing now.
The daybreak come and there were now six able persons and eleven injured ones, plus doctor Teciolar changing bandages.
When Perion’s shift arrives, doctor Teciolar said:” You will be resting here, my friend. You have a big concussion on your head. I don’t want to see you walking around at least after one or two days more!”—And he gives him a fruit to eat.
“Oh, my head throbs! The movements to eat this fruit makes me puke!”—Perion said, and later he vomits.
Teciolar says:’ By the look of it (the vomit)
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Your stomach was retaining some blood inside. No great deal, but enough to make you throw.”
Several sketches shows some healthier men collecting fruits, and the doctor looking on broken legs, and at night fall, doctor Teciolar and others lit a fire next to the group. One of the injured men die, and Doctor Teciolar sent others to dig and bury the corpse.
Morning come, and Perion try to stand up but fails. Doctor Teciolar approaches, saying:” You cannot be asking for a quick recovery without proper care! The brain is a delicate organ; it was sure a nice blow you get inside the spaceship!”
“Certainly it was, Doctor! I felt my brain swimming up there, turning around when I move my head sidewise.”—Perion informed.
“Don’t move it! One of the natural ways to surpass this shock you received, it’s to stay put.”—The doctor Teciolar recommended.
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Then a series of short vistas or sketches ensued—people clearing he place next to the wreckage, planning beams to prevent animals that prowl by night, and the first snow. Doctor Teciolar speaks when everyone was resting from the day’s labors:’ The fruits will collapse soon and we must turn ourselves in hunters rather than in gatherers.”
A man said;’ I can shoot an arrow to a fly and hit it! Just give me time to make a bow and some arrows!”
“You, an archer, Mr. Rashog? From mechanic to hunter in a single crash!”—Some other man said, laughing.
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Doctor Teciolar pointed to a man lying on the ground, and said:’ I am worried about Rabol! He have some kind of fever I cannot quench!”
That same man was found dead, at the next morning, and again the remaining crew digs a hole on the ground, burying him at noon time.
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Perion now could walk and with the others went to hunt at the forest. As he has no bow or lance, he was making traps for the animals using knotted branches.
A man was near him, who said:” We will find animals in these traps! I am sure there are many hidden species around here. Too wild to show up, of course.”
Perion was left alone braiding weeds and suddenly behind some trees, he saw a quadruped with a white head—he moves, startled, and that animal goes in a second.
He takes the cord and finding that man seeing before, he said:’ I saw a freaky animal down there! It was very spooky!”
“I had seen several animals—that we could hunt and roast!”—The man said, laughing. Perion replied:” I could swear it has a human—like head, but the rest was like a dog!”
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The man said;” Wow! I remember some tales! Half animal, half dog! Human! Hope you didn’t see one of those!”
Perion said:’ I am not sure—it was there just for a second!”
“Well, you could close your eyes the next time it appears!”—The man said, laughing his own remark.
Perion was going to retort, when a growling voice was heard: both men jumped on their feet and run to the woods, finding some kind of half sizes dinosaur struggling to get free from a trap.
“Stone it!”—The man said, and with rocks they end the life of that creature. Using scraps of metal from the wreckage, they stripped and cut the animal—later they roast it, while everyone looks. When ready, each one received a piece from Perion’s hands—and perhaps because he saw so much half roasted meat, he didn’t eat.
Doctor Teciolar approaches and gives him some fruit, saying:’ I know the feeling, young man! Take this!”
“Thanks, doctor.”—Perion said, smiling.
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The face of Perion enlarged on the screen, asleep—it fades and yes, it’s on some bushes, sleeping. Doctor Teciolar appears in a hurry, awakening him and saying “Wake up! There’s trouble!”
Perion stands up—everyone was moaning and saying their stomachs hurt and they were having pain at their arms and legs.
“What is the cause, doctor?”—Perion asked.
“I’m sure it’s trichinosis! “—He was with his hands lying at the sides.’ I’m also sick and we haven’t drugs to fight this!”
The man said:’ I barely could move my arms and my head is about to explode!”
The doctor said:’ that animal you kill! Must have been with the disease already!”
“I didn’t eat meat! So I’m safe?”—Perion asked.
“I will remember to be a vegetarian in my next life!”—Moaned the doctor…
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The scene changes to black, and then Perion is arriving to a cave on a mountain. He is alone and to prevent animals to crawl inside, but when doing that, a dog -like creature appears—it has long hair and a human female face! Daron looked at it in terror but didn’t move.
The being barked something, looking at him. Perion said:’ Pretty doggy!”
The animal moves its tail—obviously doesn’t fit in the realm of dinosaurs—it was clearly a mammal being. It grows dark, and the animal keeps on being there.
Perion close the entrance and prepares to sleep. Two hours later, he heard a growl from a big animal, and the small creature yelped for help, rasping and scratching the rocks with its paws.
As he realizes the danger, he said:’ Silence! Silence or the beast will catch up with you and me!” And so, he let the animal gets in—as soon as it enters, he closes the gap—the growling faints and he said:” Well, that was very close!”
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He went to sleep, and in the morning (the light at the stage grows) and the people could see that the she-dog was sleeping close to Perion’s legs.
“Nice dog!”—He said when awakening—he walked out, and departed to the forest, looking for fruits. He also found a pond, and when washing himself there, the dog with a human head also bathed, with her face now looking clearly.
Several scenes ensued: Perion walking and the strange dog trotting along; sleeping, and the she—dog at his side, until some kind of barking
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language was developed among them. To Perion’s amazement, the brain capacity of that creature was not to be disdained, in one of those scenes, he said to the she-dog:” Certainly someone makes you half human—half dog through genetic manipulation—are there more of you?”
The she-dog pointed with a paw in some direction, half yelping half speaking.
“Let’s go there to see them!”—He said, but the she-dog mimic a big dog, showing the teeth and
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bristling the hairs at her back.
“Oh, wild dogs?”—Perion asked, and the she-dog yelped in accordance, and he laughed about it.
That night and in the obscurity of the cave, unmistakably sounds of a sex relation was heard, and in the morning the woman’s head was at his chest, with the dog appearance at a side.
The realization of what he had donned befell unto Perion, who run to the river in despair, with the she-dog happily trotting at his wake!
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And in here was the first “break” of the play; a time to think in what was seen and the necessary time to recover the sense for what was about to happen.
People went to the bathroom or to the Foyer to buy something to drink or eat. Also, it was a time to interchange opinions about the play.
Mr. Boskon Korbl has his informants, people hired to listen what the important persons says about the play—and he receives good news—“they said it’s a nice play—women are laughing about a she-dog, but males are saying it’s history.”
Boskon said: “Thanks for this information, and remember to applaud and yell at the end of this play. We need a success to keep on going.”
“Yes, sir!”—The nine assistants replied and returns immediately to their seats, because the actors were ready to keep on.
The curtains went up, and the scene was the same cave—this time a lot of humanoid dogs were at the cave Perion appeared, blandishing a stick and the she dog behind him.
Get away, you dogs!”—Perion said, trying to hit someone with the stick\
A big dog stops barking and said; He is a human!’
Another said: --“ I saw him before. Twice! He lives in this cave! And he has not hunted our Bellane!”
“Bellane, come up here!’ A she dog half barked, half speak in the tongue of man.
Perion was surprised to hear them talk and said. How is that you can talk?”
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“I am the daughter of Astor the Hunter! This that you see here are Torio, Sake, Rizka and Myrna! Our little Bellane, daughter of Rizka, was lost, but now we see that you had it in here!”
“Good to know you! “—Perion said, half amazed to be talking with Humanoid dogs.
Rizka said:’ our little Bellane cannot speak by now—she’s only two years old. At four years of age our vocal cords are able to work with as little air as our lungs are capable to give and then we can speak the language of Man.”
A growling sound was heard. Torio, the big male, said:’ It’s big and eats meat. We better leave—our smell is attracting it. Come on with us—we don’t eat meat.”
The whole group was around him and they walked through the forest.
“How many more of you are in this forest?”—Perion asked. Rizka the mature she—dog said:’ We are but one family but we expect to grow and have a share of this planet. We already know, thanks to Grandpa Astor, that there are several sentient species on this planet.”
“And do you know the name of this planet?”—Perion asked.
“This is Knapp.”—Rizka the she—dog answered.
After eating fruits, Rizka said: I wonder if you want to be with humans. There is a city not far from here.”
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Perion, who was not willing to spent time with dog—like people, said:’ I will be glad to know where they are.”
“In that direction.”—Rizka said, pointing with her tail.
Perion said:” Well, it’s still morning. I guess this is good bye.”
“Good bye.”—Torio, the big male, said, going away with his pack. Perion was seen walking by the woods, and the night come soon, so he search for a place to sleep, among branches and bushes. When the morning comes, he awoke and saw that a big she—dog was at his side.
“What!”—He yelled, standing up.
“I am Rizka! Don’t get afraid!”—The she—dog said, and added:’ I am sure you don’t mind if I lead you to town?”
Perion said:’ You can go with me, but remember
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You’ll be away from the pack!”
Rizka laughed, trotting in front of him, showing her buttocks—as she was not wholly a dog, Perion admire her body at a certain amount—the she—dog was a meter eighty centimeters long and seventy centimeters high. Her hair was long and black—except in the face, that was like a woman’s.
She finds fruits on some bushes and they eat; the sun was shining bright but a breeze was blowing so the heat was bearable.
Perion saw some mountains ahead and said:’ are those mountains dangerous to cross?”
“I have never come this far, so I cannot tell you. But Torio did, and he told me that there’s a pass between those mountains.”
When the night came, they find a shelter on the roots of a big tree. There was a snoring sound
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In the vicinity, and she said:’ That must be a “rairl”.
“What is a “Rairl”? Meat eater?”—Perion asks.
“Rairls eat plants.”
“Good to hear that!”—Perion said.
“I smell fear in you.”—Rizka said.
“Me, fear? I’m not afraid.”—Perion said, and Rizka get close to him, who was lying between roots, and kissed him with her human lips. Soon they were kissing each other, and then they make love.
At dawn, Rizka said: Guess I’ll be going now.”
“Why? It’s too far from your home-den. I mean…”—Perion was saying, and Rizka said:” I wonder if you get attached to me?”_ And kissed him.
“Of course. That is the cause you must accompany me further.”—Perion said, kissing her avidly.
Durint the next three days, with scenes of them walking by day and moaning by night, they crossed the mountains and arrives to a plain—a city was in sight.
“There is the city of man!”—Rizka said, pointing with her lean tail.
“It’s beautiful; a walled city.”—Perion said.
“Nightfall is closing on us. Do you want another night together?”—Rizka asked, smiling.
“Yes.”—Perion said, and the scene of that night was real hot.
The next scene was showing him presenting to the guards at the gate.
“Who are you and what businesses have you here?”—A bored guard asks him.
“I’m Perion the merchant, and I wish to speak with the governor.”—Perion replied.
“Very well, a reunion with the Governor! I guess you want to have a chat with the man? And about what issue?”—The guard asked, ironically.
“I know many secrets: how to build things.”—Perion said.
“All right, wait me here!”—The guard said, and went to the other corner of the scenery, where now there was a fat officer eating something from a plate.
“Sergeant Owoerfion! There’s a guy who wants to talk with the governor! He said he has inventions to sell.”
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“Must be another wacko! Bring him in!”—The sergeant said. When Perion arrives in front of him, the sergeant said:’ From where are you, Sir?”
“From Janarvia, a planet from the constellation of Pisces. My vessel crashes beyond those mountains, all crewmen dies! I have knowledge I’m sure you could use.”—Perion said optimistically.
“I see. Well, I will call on the governor. Guard! Please show this man our guest room.”
“Yes, Sir.”—The first guard said, smiling, and soon Perion was inside a cell with locked doors. The night come and nobody went to see him.
At the next scene, it was daylight—Sergeant Oweorfion appears with a lady, who said: “I am lady Goshingerion; so you come from Janarvia?”
“Yes, lady! My vessel crashed beyond the mountains.” – Perion said.
“I’m sorry to hear that. The last person from Janarvia arrives here several years ago, and was very clever.”—Lady Goshingerion said, and turning her head to the sergeant, she said:’ Carry this man to the royal palace and tell there he needs a bath and new clothes.”
“Yes, Madam.”—The sergeant said.
The next scene shows him taking a bath in a luxury room; maids gives him new clothes; days passed and he eats the food they give him and rest the whole day—this, for many days. Then, one morning a guard come into his bedchamber, saying:’ The Queen Maculla request to see you immediately, Sir.”
“I’m ready.”—Perion said, standing from his bed.
The new scene shows a richly decorated room, a small throne and the queen seated there, surrounded by four elder women in dark red robes. The Queen Urta looked at him for a moment, and said:’ You are the Janarvian? Tell me if you can improve our finances!”
Perion said; I know about strategies to increase sells and have good profits, Your Majesty.”
Queen Urta Maculla said:’ Good. But don’t fail on me, Sir. I will recommend your services to the king himself. You can go now.”
Perion was guided to a new location—his quarters now were more luxuriously furnished and has seven assistants (three males and four females).
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The maids guide him to take a bath, rubbing his body with soap and their bare hands. He said:’ I wonder if they call on me, I’ll be soaking wet!”
“Oh, no, Sir! The court does not work in the afternoons!”—A maid informs him.
After that bath, he rest on a sofa. The guards appear, saying:’ you will be attending a dinner with his Majesties!”
“All right! I’m going!”—He said, putting on a pair of sandals to his feet.
The royal dinning room was huge. The king was already seated and eating from several dishes at random – at his side was Queen Urta Maculla . The guests were milling in front of their table, but cannot eat except from some tables at the other side of the room.
This lasted for two hours; from time to time, a larger man robbed in black calls on the people and asks questions in the name of the King, who apparently was indifferent to the answers.
When Perion was called by the Chamberlain, the question was:” From where are you , foreigner, and what do you want from our Majesty?”
“I am Perion from Janarvia planet and I am offering my financial skills for the benefit of His Majesty!”
“Quite understable. You can go eating now.”—The Chamberlain said, so Daron walked to a side table and eats something, wondering about the queer way of things the Knappian King had in his inner circle.
Later, the King went out of the room by a side door, followed by Queen Urta, and some noblemen—the rest went out of there, chatting and laughing.
One of the maids at his charge takes him by the hand, saying:’ I am Ballaria, the chief of your servants. I will guide you to an important person.”
Soon they were in front of an old man seated behind a huge mahogany desk full of papers. That man said:” So you are the Janarvian. I am
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The Ministry of the Royal Treasure Chamber. They told me about you—an expert in finances! Here we have more outgoings than incomings.”
“I wish I could be able to revert the situation, Ministry.”—Perion said.
“Very well, start with this book—and tell me what you think of it.”—The Ministry said, handling it to him. Perion looked and said:” Sorry, But I don’t know this signs! Your language I did understand, but not your writing.”
“My friend from above! You should learn them! Remember: numbers here are only ten! How many signs do you think they were?”—The Ministry asked.
“Ten? Then I’m sure I will be revising your books as soon as I memorize those ten figures!”—Perion said, relieved.
The Ministry teaches him, and Perion begin to read, using his knees to sustain the book. The Ministry said:” No, No! Take a seat! Use a desk!”—And he make way for Perion to use the other side of the mahogany desk—also, he gives him a penholder, paper and a bottle of black ink to write.
After some minutes, the Ministry said:’ Guards!
Perion raise his head, afraid he was going to be taking out, but the Ministry said to the Guards:” This person has permission to stay working in here! Bring me my stretcher! You’ll be carrying me home! The damned gout is killing me!”
When the Ministry was already on the stretcher, he turns to Perion and said:” Janarvian! You will revise those seven volumes and when finished, you just tell my Chief of the Guards that you want to see me! Guards! Take me home!”
And he was gone. Perion sighed and walked around the big but stuffed room, and then seats to study those copybooks. The day was at an end, hours later, and a guard comes in, saying:” We are closing the office now, Sir. Please come back tomorrow.”
Perion said:” But I’m new in town—call on my maids to carry me home.”
“Your place is very near this palace, Sir. At the next block to the right. I will direct you there.”—The guard said.
‘Which is your name?-- Perion asked.
“Pitzar, Sir.”
“All right, Pitzar, let’s get going!”—Perion said, and he was guided to the stony building while people walking by the street looked at him with overt curiosity. They arrived to a stone building—walking to the other extreme of the stage—and soon Perion was inside a luxurious bathroom, where the maids clean his body with soap and warm water on a bathtub. He has the same routine for three days—at the fourth; he asks to be presented to Gowen the Minister of the Treasure—soon he was at Gowen’s home, presenting his report.
Gowen reads the papers and said:” So there’s four millions and two thousand Credits (sopes) missing! Well it’s not so surprisingly! The King has access to the vaults any time he needs it.”
Perion accented with the head, and the Ministry said;” So we know where that money goes—with no trace on any copybook.”
“I am sorry to hear that, Ministry. “—Perion said.
“Who cares? “—Perion asked, and calls for two dishes with soup to a maid. Soon they brought them soup and a small bread to eat; they did it on the desk, and then the Ministry said;’ Hot stuff, isn’t it? I like to take soup this way!”
They finished the soup and Minister Gowen said: “And tomorrow some tax collectors officers are going to deliver some money at my office! You will be there to collect the bags, because I’m with this gout that is killing me! And don’t try to cheat on me.”
“You place a lot of confidence in me and I am glad you did it! And I thank you.”—Perion said.
“Take this day off, Janarvian! I will take another look at your information papers! And here is the key of my vaults! Sorry it has not the half part of what I received, years ago.”—And the Ministry handled him some very ancient keys.
Perion returns to his quarters, finding Lady Goshingerion waiting for him.
“Good afternoon, Perion! I see you have the keys from the Treasure room!”
“Yes, the Ministry wants me to work there.”—Perion explains.
“Fine! I come her to invite you to a small dinner party at 21 hours of today. I will send a carriage for you, so you cannot get astride.”—She said.
“I am most honored, lady Goshingerion!”—Perion said, aghast.
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She smiled and went out. Perion went directly to the shower, and once inside it, she begins to sing.
At twenty one o’clock he arrives to Miss Goshingerion dwelling place—he gives his name to the gatekeeper and another servant guided him to a living room with some twenty other guests—couples richly clothed who bowed in his direction; so he bows back.
“Lady Goshingerion is being advised of your arrival, Sir Perion. She will be here in any minute.”—The Assistant informed him.
”Thanks you.”—Perion said, smiling when being called “Sir.”
And after a while the lady walking out a corridor, the lady appeared, using a dark red dress with a belt that shows how slim were her waist—she went directly to Perion, who bowed and kissed her hand, saying;” Happy to see you again, Lady Goshingerion!”
“Oh, Mr. Perion! Call me Isharia, my friend! Come, that I will show you the rest of my guests!’
And she was taken from her arm, smiling brightly.
“You indeed looks beautiful this evening”—Perion said, smiling.
“Thanks you! “—She said, and begins presenting the guests to him, saying always at the end:’ And he is Perion the assistant to the Ministry of Finances!”
• later, and orchestra begin playing tunes and they all begin to dance—she was indeed indefatigable
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And Perion dance three tunes with her, and then she said” I must dance with my other friends, Perion. But you can invite to dance any of the other dames.”
“I understand, milady, and I thanks you for your preference.”—Perion said, smiling.
Perion danced with a lady one of the tunes, and then went to a corner to wait; the place was beautifully furnished and the ladies were using nice fashion dresses, so their eyes were shining with expectation. Soon lady Goshingerion was again at his side, saying:’ Ready! I danced with my best friends, and they cannot complain anymore. “
“You dance nicely, of course.”—He said, while they begin dancing together. Soon they were cheek to cheek and then a chime was heard.
“Oh, what a pity! I will be ending this dance with you, as we must attend dinner.”—Lady Goshingerion said.
“Of course, I understand.”—He said, kissing her cheek, and murmured:” I think you are the most lovable woman I had met.”
She smiled and they walked to the dinning room, where a big table for at least forty people was already being served; they seat side by side, and heard some jokes before the curtain went down for another break—people could go now to the hall to stretch their legs or went to the bathroom.
Lamat Digot went to her dressing room, saying:” Oh, my feet are killing me! So many dances!”
Sarrion Fegal asked for hot water and salts—then he sent it on a basin to Lamat, who thanks him saying:” Sorry, but I’ll be not showing myself again in this play! I’m totally exhausted!”
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Digobert ask for a reunion and said:” This is a play based on Miss Goshingerion and Perion the Janarvian; now we have Miss Goshingerion with aching feet! So we’ll keep on going with an action scene and another with a competition.”
Maschio Latiko said:” I had studied the history, and the true love of Perion was the prince Trator’s girl friend! But, as here they are all afraid of the royal family, we are giving the wrong version.”
Digobert sighed and said:” We’re here to make theater and acting, and not to get busy with historical facts! Now I want a scene where somebody jealous of Perion appears while Perion is drinking at some Bar—we could get a duel! But to make it simply, a Bar fight! Everyone hitting everyone.”
“Easy to tell.”—Maschio said, remembering the last fight at a stage—he ends up with a broken leg.
The scene changes to a Bar, Perion (Digobert) drinking alone—Maschio approaches and said:” You are robbing me of a fine lady, you scum! “
“What? Are you drunk?”
“No, I am not drunk—and I can prove it!”—The “jealous man” said, punching Digobert with a telegraphed fist: “Perion” goes under a table,
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And then some other client of the Bar helps him stand: “Up you go, buddy! And I’ll give you a hand in this!”—And both men attacked the “jealous man”; other takes sides on the fight, and soon there was ample show to see who beats whom and with what; the people cheered and yelled at the fighters—the whole Bar fight endures fifteen minutes, and the curtains goes down..
Miss Lamat Digot calls for Digobert Farol to her dressing room, to say:” Please, let me act! I could act on a couch—or a bed—a romantic scene!”
Digobert said: “So I ‘m Perion and you are lady Goshingerion? I come to kiss your hand?”
“Yes! I promise you to act real good—hot stuff! We can burn the stage together! And that could be the final act... what do you say?”
As Digobert was thinking it over, she stands up from her chair and kissed him real hard—he gasped, while she said: “See? I can start a real fire in no time!”
“But—what are we going to speak?
“Let me handle this! You just play along! Very easy stuff.”—She said, caressing his cheek.
“Very well, I’ll buy your idea.”
“Then, help me to the stage! My feet still ache!”—Lamat said, resting on his right arm.
Digobert explains to the holographic team about the scene, and in scant
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Minutes the holographic composition was ready, except for the royal king-size bed that has to be real.
Curtains up, and she said;” I wonder if my lover will come! Servant!”
A servant comes in and she said;” See if Mr. Perion is coming.”
“Yes, lady Goshingerion!”—The servant (Miss Nadidodula Naderin) said, and then Perion (Digobert Farol) enters the room, saying;” I was going to knock at the door, when your servant opens it for me!”
“Come closer—I don’t bite!”—Miss Goshingerion said.
“Yes.”
She kissed him real hard, and then she pushes him away—he stumbled and fall to the ground—the scene was apparently going as a drama and because his fall some ladies from the audience laughed.
“My love! At last you are mine!”—Perion said, taking her hand.
“Yes! But you should acquire more importance my dear! I’m expensive.”
“And rich.”
“Rich in love and ambition! So you must get some higher title here at the kingdom of Knapp!”
“I don’t know if I could.”
“Come here, that I will provide you with the necessary fuel! Man needs love as an engine needs Dylithium!”—She said, hugging him and kissing him, taking his vest and shirt over his head not in a gentle way, so there were more laughter; he again stumbles to the floor. Miss Goshingerion stands up and stomping a foot on his ass (or back) said:” From this humble rock I’ll jump to the heavens!”
Perion (Digobert) moves and she stumbles to the floor, banging her head. Unconscious she presents the problem of what Perion (Digobert) could do with a dead body on the floor. He said:” Servant! I need a glass of water!”
Miss Nadidodula brought a glass with water, and he splashed it on Miss Goshingerion’s face, saying:” Wake up, my love!”
She come up from his fainting and said” Are we finished yet?”
The people laughs, now believing it was all for real, and Digobert said:’ No, my love! Our love never finishes!”
“Why I am in the floor?”—She asked, rubbing her head.
“I guess you slip, my darling!”—Perion (Digobert) said.
She slapped his face, saying:” You are trying to rape me!”
“No, darling!”—He said, walking some steps away; she stands up and seat on the verge of the bed, saying:” All men are alike! When they saw an innocent and harmless woman, they take advantage!”
Perion takes her hand and kissed it, saying:” I love you, my darling! I could never do that to you!”
She slapped him again, who went to his knees; she said:” You brute! You broke one of my nails!”
“Oh, pardon me!”—He said, approaching again.
‘I pardon you, but I need to think it over! Go away!”—She said, bedding.
And curtains went down.
The people were laughing and commenting that final act, when the curtains goes up again and the whole team of actors bowed in unison; the people applauded them, and some ladies laughed. Digobert said:” This is the end of the play, ladies and gentlemen! Thanks you for your assistance!”
Curtains down.
Digobert congratulate one and each of the actors for their cooperation; Mr. Boskon Korbl gives cigars (to the men) and chocolate bars to the ladies, saying:” It was a real success! People is leaving the “Suhrim Theatre” laughing.”
“I will not laugh tomorrow! The critics will make us piecemeal!”—Nadidodula Naderin prophesized.
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“Forget about them! I have the principals under my payroll! And don’t sweat about it! I get it all in the holography machine, copied and it’s ready for the next representations!”- The Producer boomed out.
Digobert sighed—the representations via holograms will not give them full pay!
“And you are all invited for a short trip to my home at the field! Tomorrow at nine o’clock! Don’t’ bother to invent some excuse not to attend! You are all invited!”—The Producer Boskon Korbl said, laughing.
Digobert Farol smiled—a free trip cum—meal was his preferable way to ease his life a bit.
From the “Suhrim Theatre” some of the actors went to celebrate to some Restaurant, and Digobert calls on Miss Lamat Digot, hoping she could repeat the kissing act—in private—but she said:’ Are you crazy? I banged my head by your fault, and now I’m going to bed!”
He said he was sorry, in fact, he knew he wasn’t the culprit—at all! He walked by the streets and to the first woman who asks for “company” he said “yes.”
At the next day, Mr. Boskon Korbl sent AB people to knock at every actor’s door—and stays there until every actor accepts to get dress and accompany them to the Wagon Flier that was waiting near by at the roof platform.
“It will be a nice party! Mr. Korbl has rented a whole music band to play especially for you!”—The AB keeps on repeating them.
At last, they were all inside the aerial vehicle; the in—built driver gives an audio signal before taking off – and soars into high altitude.
“We will be there in thirty minutes!”—The driver said to the passengers.
“Thirty minutes? What, are we going to the space?”—Nadidodula asked, very upset—she doesn’t like weightlessness.
“No, lady! All will be at the Knappian planet surface; we’ll be arriving in thirty minutes more!”—The AB next to her seat answered promptly.
From Oredloro city, they traveled to the “Intemeratus” Continent where, at the north of Darude city, the Producer has his ranch.
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The vehicle landed on top of a three stories high building—on a steel platform facing the third floor. Another Flier was already parked there, and three AB men run to receives them, saying:” Mr. Korbl gives you the welcome and begs you to follow us to the living room.”
“All right! Oh, the smell is good!”—Lamat Digot said, happily.
They arrive to a great saloon, and Mr. Boskon Korbl receives them at a table, where ice cream and also fruits were served.
“Welcome to my home, that I call “Atlantis”. Had a nice trip, you all?”—He asked.
“We thought you were at the orbit!”—Lamat Digot said, testing a grape.
“Oh, I abhor outer space! I don’t like to be suspended like a lamp over there!”—He said, serving drinks to the newcomers.
“Nice orange juice! What, do you imported this fruits to Knapp?”—Digobert asked.
“I imported some orange trees, and of course they come from Earth planet. Near this place I have five rows of Orange trees. The soil it’s very good to raise any kind of trees or vegetables. Virgin land, around here—my next neighbor is seventy kilometers away and to the west.”—Mr. Boskon said.
“And dinosaurs have you some?”—Nadidodula asked.
“Oh, there are no dinosaurs around here! Perfectly safe a spot. There’s wonderful river, with a mighty cascade three kilometers up river—you will see it all!”—
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Korbl promised.
Digobert was sure all this kindness from a Producer certainly get to have some trick, but said nothing—he don’t to know ,either—the air was fresh, and the “Suhrim Theatre” 800 kilometers away—or more?
“Are we 800 kilometers away from Oredloro, Mr. Korbl?”—Digobert asked.
“920 kilometers and don’t you call me Mr.! I’m just plain Boskon for you all!”—He said, looking at the troupe.
“Thanks you, Mr. Boskon!”—Nadidodula said, smiling broadly.
“Thanks you too, Miss Lady! But I enjoy a joke and also this meal.”—Boskon said, beginning to eat a giant mango fruit.
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After they had eaten, the host said:’ Now we will go to the river! I had prepared a barbecue there ! You will be able to swim—there’s a pool made by natural rocks! Sorry about the musical band- they refuse to get into the Flier.”
“The weather is wonderful here.”—Nadidodula said, as the temperature didn’t reach the 20 Centigrade.
They went there using the wagon flier; the site was beautiful—a river goes by some gorges, making cascades, and ending in a beautiful lagoon of crystalline waters. Between rocks there were also ponds, and the group chooses where to swim or where to take sun baths. (Sun, of course, was not other than Swastika Delta star).
Digobert swim and after seeing how the Artificial Beings was preparing the barbecue, walked to the forest, in order to get some release. Mr. Boskon Korbl said:” Don’t get lost, Mr. Digobert Farol! We need you here to taste our meat!”
“Oh, no! I need to do something on the bushes and I’ll be back!”=- Digobert replied, waving a hand.
He walked to a place where fern trees were abundant
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The sound of the river was faint but still audible, and he did his thing among the ferns; then he uses a pair of leaves; he heard some far off animal mating calls, and smiled; dinosaurs did exist around the spot. He walked by the forest, he found some golden pebbles, so he pocketed two of them. As he was approaching the encampment, he heard screams—he walked faster, and when at the sight of the river, he saw a dozen Pteranodons flying around the group—the Wagon Flier takes off, and hit some of them, but then the creatures learns to avoid it. Digobert was behind a huge tree, looking with terror at the scene—unable to move, he has no weapons to be of any help to the others.
The Wagon Flier goes away, and the Pteranodons returns “en masse” to the spot, but there were no more screams to be heard. Digobert climbs that tree trunk, and waits until he saw the Pteranodon flying away with difficulty…
He keeps on being there for a while more, and as there were no more flying creatures visibly, he went there to see what were left—only small pieces of bones and the cloth of the ones who were naked was to be found! He wept and cry over the bones, that later he buried under some stones.
He looks to where the Flier had disappeared, and begins to wonder when it will come back. The night arrives soon enough, without any signs of the Flier—Digobert seek for a shelter, finding it among some boulders.
He must have been sleeping, as when he realize, the light of a new day was over him. At the sky, there were no signs of a Flier, but he spotted three small dots moving up there with the wind.
• “ Pteranodons!”—He said to himself, and run to the woods, while those dots enlarged, soaring against his figure—when at the forest, he heard their wings flapping overhead the long tall trees…
He decided he wasn’t going to wait for the Wagon Flier of Mr. Boskon Korbl to return – so he begin marching to the south—or what he believes was the right direction…
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The first three hundred meters he walked by the forest, but as the tree trunks abounded, he keeps on walking by the side of the river—a strong wind was blowing and he begin to see animal in front—so he return to the forest. Soon he was very busy among branches and weeds so he rested at a place where a stream was running, carrying crystal clear waters. He drinks of it, and dozed for a while.
He awoke and it was pitch dark—the night was over the jungle, and ominous cries and bellowing were heard from time to time.
He gets into a crevice among the roots of a tree, and again begins to sleep, notwithstanding all those growls.
When the morning comes, he feels hungry and he searched for food, not to find anything to eat. Digobert realize that his shoes were damaged from so many climbing rocks and trees. Also, his clothes were thick with mud. A bird a meter twenty centimeters high was now perched four meters away from him. He moves, and the creature, which had a large beak, made a shrieking call and tries to bit him several times—he defends himself cutting a branch; each time he tries to hit, the creature bird jumped up and moving his wings stays out of reach. Digobert run away, and soon he saw it no more.
Another stream was found, but this had green waters, and he didn’t’ tastes it. A swarm of insects were there buzzing around, and he escapes with some insects furiously biting his naked legs.
He rested near a tree, hearing footsteps – soon a hideous creature appears. It was big and with a grotesque head—the teeth were like bananas and from his mouth come a very disgusting stench. He became paralyzed with terror, as the creature was twelve meters high and at least twenty meters long. Soon the beast spotted him, and his malignant eyes shone with anger—Digobert gets more deeply among roots, and the Piveteasaurus attacks.
Digobert finds a hole and pushing, he stumbled two meters down, and all the while the Piveteasaurus was growling and with his forepaws he was caving in. As inside the hole was dark, Digobert touches around with his hands, trying to find a soft spot—but instead he finds a crevice—he pushes and begin to crawl by a hole he would had never tried if not terrified by the monster and also because it was the only available positive option.
Soon he was in complete silence but also, afraid of a collapse of that very thin tunnel, more than tunnel, a hole with mud and small roots, that he was cutting while he crawled.
Suddenly, he heard stomping overhead—he crawled faster, in the dark he felt water more profusely and then he slides down until he bumped on a rock.
He was half dizzy and then he saw a distant luminosity ahead. He went round that boulder and begins to climb until it was dry and the aperture nearer.
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He rest there a few seconds, and then crawled out of the hole.
Digobert was now at another part of the jungle—rocks and trees descending to a lagoon in the distance.
He walked two paces and his right foot went underground with a cracking sound. He kneeled and found a series of wood planks on the ground; using a branch, he made way to use it as a mace and under that series of wood boards until he saw a ladder going down. He boldly descended a few steps and suddenly the ladder broke and he went down for several meters, landing on top of some clothes.
He looked around in the half darkness until his eyes catch a glint of metal in a corner. He went there—two meters at the most—and finds a sword leaning on the wall. It was large and heavy; the metal of the hilt was very smooth and had some polished stones in it.
He return to the aperture up and saw the first stars in the heaven—he decided to stay there for extra security so he left the sword at a side and rummaged around. What he thought was clothes, were in fact the remains of a man plus his worn out clothes—the bones glittered when he kicks them to a corner with his feet.
The hole has about three meters in diameter, and very silent. He prepares to stay there all night, and choose the only smooth wall to rest his back on it. Soon he was dozing.
Hours later, Digobert awoke, while a terrible trumpeting was heard up the hole—some animal was sending
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Debris down below. He realizes it was one of the bigger Dinosaurs who get trapped up there with one of his hind legs…
After some more struggle, the beast takes his leg out of the hole and stomped away.
“Damn beast! I get the scare of the year!”—Digobert said, but or course, he was wrong, as the real scaring moment was the minute before he gets into that mud tunnel between roots.
He seats again, but this time his back moves backwards some centimeters. He pushed the wall, and to his surprise, it gives way and a lot of dust fall on him. Who was very scared to be entombed alive. And acrid odor come out—the air was now flowing into that second cave.
He waits half an hour and then he pushed forward. The door opened, he looks inside but could not see a thing—it was pitch black; so he rest at some other corner, and eventually gets asleep.
At the next day, the light from the outside comes in by the hole but wasn’t enough to see into that opening, so Digobert climbs by the hole and arrives up there in twenty minutes of hard struggle.
He lay panting at the side of the hole, with the sword he had found at the grip of his hands. He looked at it, and realize it was old—the hilt was made of silver, with three round translucent red stones at each side; the blade was stained but seems to be made of steel; it has several indentures, probably made while in fight…
He walked searching for fruits, he find a water pond. The floor was green, so he just cleans himself but didn’t drink of it.
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Then, he heard a rumor—a machine? He walked fast—cement replace the shrubbery—then he saw several machines and a building two stories high at the side of the nearest mountain.
He walked in the open, and soon the alarm rings were on. A couple of guards appear, using rifles.
“Who are you?”—One of them asked—both guards looked alike, so he believes they were twins—or Artificial Beings.
“I am an actor—Digobert Farol. I get lost in the woods.”—Said he, and the guards looked at him for a while, and one of them said:’ Follow me, Sir. Are you alone?”
“Yes, the rest die or goes away in a wagon Flier.”_ He replied, and soon he was inside the building, seated on a sofa in a reception room.
“Wait here for some time, Sir.”—A Guard said, walking out.
From where he was seated, Digobert could hear the sound of engines, and then footsteps and a man enters the room.
“Ah! So you are the man recently arrived! They told me you are the sole survivor of an air crash?”
“Yes, Sir. Pitifully correct. My name is Digobert, and I was the main character of a group of actors.”—Digobert Farol said. The man, in his fifties, seats at the other armchair, saying:” I’m Olgboren Fedichen, the general administrator of this mining operation. We extract copper from the mountain.”
“I see. Could you sent me to Oredloro or any other city? I really must know what happens with my artistic group.”—Digobert said.
“Yes, I can send you in a Wagon Flier to Rixiaberg. But you must take a bath, sleep and we’ll provide you clothes—and shoes! What happens with your shoes?’—Olgboren asked.
“Broken in shreds on the forest! They were a delicate pair, you know—specially designed for our work on the stage! Pity on my group—Pteranodons attacked them while bathing on the river.”—Digobert said.
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that! Yes, it’s dangerous to be in the open around here. Well, you need that bath and a bed. I’ll sent you an assistant, Mr. Digobert. Ask him for food, if you want; plenty of synthetic food around here.”—Olgboren said, walking out of the room.
The Assistant appears right away, saying:” Very well, Mr. Digobert, let us go to the bathroom!”
Digobert follows the man, and they enter a long and narrow bathroom, where he takes a shower. When he was drying himself with a towel, the Assistant said:” I’ll go get you some clothes, Sir, and waits me here.”
Digobert smiled—where he could go, naked, shoeless and with a towel around his waist?
Some minutes later, the man returns with some blue working clothes and stout shoes—the ones with a metal protection in front.
“Here are clothes and a pair of shoes, Sir.”—The Assistant said, and he waits until Digobert was fully clothed and with the stout new shoes on.
“Mr. Olgboren Fedichen , the administrator of “Kompf Mining Co.” waits you for a lunch at the dinning room, Sir .Please follow me.”
Digobert follows him—at the corridors, there were people carrying boxes and tools—at the dinning room there were twelve tables with six seats in each, and several workers were having their meals. Mr. Olgboren waved, and said:’ How are you today, Mr. Farol? Are you ready to depart for the city?”
“Yes, thanks you! Now I’m feeling a lot better, after a night rest and these new clothes you sent me.”
“Of course, in here we haven’t any other kind of clothes except those. Same for the shoes—nothing similar to the ones you must prefer!”—Mr. Fedichen said.
“I can get used to this, Sir! Hope my stay here could be a very short one!”—Digobert replied.
Olgboren asks meals for the two of them and the Assistant complies in exactly two minutes.
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Digobert looked on his plate—a black porridge and with some yellow cream.
“Oh, in this place everything is ersatz, Mr. Farol! Sorry!”—Mr. Fedichen said, adding;’ Now I can tell you there’s a wagon Flier departing to Rixiaberg in one hour! I hope you well—there’s no room at the cabin—so you will be traveling on top of some crates. Is that, or to wait for twenty more days, for the Passenger’s Flier, that carries our natural workers to town.”
Digobert eats the porridge, using a metallic spoon, and replied;” Of course, I’ll leave today.”
After the insipid lunch, Olgboren guided him to the departing cargo Flier, and in fact, he was seated on top of a crate when departing.
Seated there, he has time enough to think in his past seven days of life: what a contrast! He was sure Mr. Borson has a lot to explain!
The Wagon Flier arrives one hour later to Rixiaberg, and the gates opens for him, With shaking legs, he descended and walked to the exit—the traffic of the city was more dense and fast than at Oredloro city.
Digobert ask a Police about the nearer Bank, and when arriving there, he asks for a new Credit Card, as the last one was lost in the mud tunnel. The procedure was very fast and easy, mainly, taking his fingerprints again, and searching at the Bank Database—the new Credit Card was in his hands ten minutes later.
He uses it to collect money from his account—he had in all ninety two thousand Credits, and the trip to Oredloro from Rixiaberg in a passenger’s Flier costs only eighty seven Credits in tourist class. He suddenly felt hungry and search for a Restaurant, where he asks for a healthy meal, wine and a cup of coffee. He pays with his Credit Card.
Three hours later, Digobert takes a Flier to Oredloro, and arrived there at 17.30 hours. He walked to the theater, and finds it entirely changed. Now it was a Ballroom, but Mr. Boskon Korbl was at his usual desk. He opens his eyes in surprise when he stepped inside.
“Hi, Mr. Korbl! Thanks for that nice barbecue on the river—you swine!”—And Digobert tried to strangle him.
But Korbl was more powerful, and gives him some blows that send him to oblivion—when he awoke; he was still on the floor—but tied. Mr. Korbl was again seated on his desk, but with his right hand in bandages.
“Oh, so you recovered! Well, guess I’ll call the police, now. It was an attempt of murder, nothing less!”—The man said.
“You didn’t’ help my friends! I was astride on that jungle for days!”—Digobert said, sensing this was going to be nothing more than a conversation, instead of the planned revenge.
“I did what I could! There were too many Pteranodons around! Sorry I had no weapons at that time.”—Boskon said. The phone rings and he talked about percentage with someone—then he hangs up and said:’ The rest of your team is dead—the Police knows all about it—pose no problems—this world is a dangerous place—even at the cities!”
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“You are responsible of five deaths! “—Digobert accused him.
“Not five! Miss Lamat Digot is safe!”
“Lamat? Where is she?”
Mr. Boskon Korbl looks at a clock on the wall, and said:’ Guess she’s choosing a night dress for tonight! We are engaged, Mr. Farol! We are going to get married in five days more!”
“Congratulations. But I need to talk with her!”—Digobert asked of him.
“It all depends, Mr. Farol! First you need to convince me of your good will! You must shut your mouth about what happens at the field! Not that I’m afraid of to be found guilt, but of the bad propaganda—for my enterprises! I cannot afford long trials and with the Media sniffing around!”—Mr. Boskon Korbl explains.
“I am penniless, Mr. Korbl! I am using these clothes just because I end up on a mining operation building, and they helped me with this clothes and a trip here! I need you to pay for the wages we as a group earns working for you! And guess some more on top of it- for the dead of my friends. At least, that is what you own me.”—Digobert Farol said.
Boskon Korbl untied him, saying:’ As we are speaking of money, now guess it’s time of ending this quarrelsome relation! Certainly I debt you some money, no problem! I am in another line of work now, and I cannot complain.”
“Wish they were all alive!”—Digobert said, standing there. Korbl seats at his desk, to attend a second call—then, after he speaks, he said to Digobert:” But for now, why don’t you stay at this building? I have a bedroom back there—you could sleep in there and take an eye for the building! The dancing hall attends only until 23 o’clock! From then on, you’ll be alone in here.”
“I accept! I have nothing else to do.”—Digobert said, looking at the man.
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Boskon Korbl said;” Tomorrow I will bring Miss Lamat in here, for you to talk! Not tonight! We are attending a nice dinner!”
“Of course. Where’s the room?”
“By the corridor—last door to the right!’—Korbl said, picking up the phone.
Digobert walked by the half lit corridor, sensing his mouth—he has a dire pain on his jaw and at his ribs—perhaps that beast also had kicked on his ribs!
The room was comfortable, with a side—bath room with all the necessary cramped in two meters by three meter wide. He takes another shower, just for the ease of his pains. Then, he lies (naked) on the bed, where he fell asleep…
Later , he get awaked out by the corridor, young people was at what once was a theater—now all the seats gone, the stage transformed in a bar, with a cabin for the DJ and at the rest of the place, huge platforms where to dance.
Two AB Assistants of Mr. Korbl was at this side of the place, taking care that nobody could walk into what wasn’t for rent.
Good evening!”—Digobert told them, and the Artificial Beings replied:’ Good evening, Mr. Farol!”
Digobert sighed – at least, he was known to them.
He walked to the street—it was cold and windy, so he just walked around the block and returns.
This time he rummaged by the place—the upper floors were empty and the most of the rooms had their doors closed. He reaches up to the roof that was a cemented place, where somebody leaves crates half rotten by the weather!
He returns to his bed, and slept the rest of that night.
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He was still sleeping when somebody taps on his right shoulder. He opened his eyes and saw Miss Lamat Digot standing there.
“Hi! Do you sleep well?”—She asked, with a soft smile on her lips.
“Oh! It’s you! Lamat.”—He said. She takes his hands, saying:” And I was thinking you were dead all of this time!”
“Well, guess I had luck.”—He said, and there was silence on the corridor. He wonders which hour it was, and she answered:’ It’s six in the morning, Digobert! Too early for the noise to begin—and also, too early for Boskon to awake.”
Digobert said: -“Yes! So you are getting married with him?”
Lamat replied: “He is very adamant on that subject! I guess I am not ready to get married.”
“Do you love him?”
“Of course not! I am here waiting for the wages he owns me! But he’s so certain I am her future wife that pays all my expenses no matter how big is the account! But let just talk about you! How did you get alive from the Pteranodons attack?”—Lamat asked.
“I was out on the woods trying to find a secluded place where to pee!”—He explains. Lamat smiled and with a gesture she said:’ Just that? Oh, you was very lucky!”
“When I was walking back to the river, I saw the group was being attacked by the beasts! I saw how somebody was running to the Flier, and how they try to hit the Pteranodons with the bulk of the vehicle!”|-- Digobert said.
“Oh, yes! It was me, Boskon and the two Artificial Beings drivers who get to the vehicle! Then it was not possible to fight those creatures, so we return to Oredloro – by the time they want to return to that river—at the next morning—they found nothing! “
“But—the guilt – I mean—Boskon…knew that the place was not sure!”—He said.
100
“Dear! He has a house in the vicinity, remember? I am sure he didn’t know about those Pteranodons! He was as scared as me!”—Lamat said, seating at his side.
“Wish we could go together, Lamat! I know we had never being true lovers—but I ask you this, just to punish him for the death of so many valuable actors!”—Digobert said. Lamat embraced him, saying:” If I am going to get married, I prefer to marry you than that ugly fat guy!”
Digobert takes her into the bed, and they love each other—then she stands up, saying:’ By my part, I am decided to forget about my wages; but you must take all your part! I will be here tomorrow at the same time—hope you could get the money today!”
“Yes, my love!’_ He said, seeing how she departs.
He gets dressed, and waits in the entrance of the Theater for the producer. The man arrives at 10:30 hours.
“Good morning, Mr. Farol! How was your sleep?”
“Fine, Mr. Boskon! Last night I walked around and it was all in peace. Perhaps with the visible presence of your Artificial Beings.”
“Oh, yes, they are invaluable! Honesty is the word with them!”
They arrive to his office—a side glance of Boskon signaled, to Digobert, that the man was thinking why he was following him—and the realization of the payment arrives next to it for Mr. Boskon’s mind.
“Oh, Mr. Digobert! I have a problem with you! I realize the rest of your wages it’s only 7.000 Credits! Those five people that died, should have received thirty five thousand Credits from me.”
“Yes, Sir, but remember you make the deal with me, not with every single one of my company! I was the one; upon receive the money from you, which paid them. You cannot possibly divide the money now, Mr. Korbl. “—Digobert said.
101
“Yes, certainly yes. But I can refuse the payment, saying your group has not being working here.”
“Here, that’s now a night club?”
“Yeah, a night club created because your group is not here! With lawyers, perhaps you could get your wages several years later! So here is what I can offer you: seven thousand Credits, cash! Take it or sue me.”
Digobert was astounded; the producer was aware he was being unjust, but also knew that the law could take its time to resolve the problem—mainly because Korbl has several Judges under his payroll, the case could take years to be solved. And Digobert wasn’t sure if he or the producer were going to be alive to receive the verdict. That’s why he said:” I accept! But gives me the money right now.”
Boskon Korbl almost laughed with joy. He had economized a lot of Credits with his trick; he punched some buttons on his Holographic machine, transferring that money into Mr. Farol’s Bank account.
“Seven thousand Credits on your Bank Account! Happy now? -- Korbl asked.
“Not quite happy but if you permit me to stay in here, could help.”
Boskon said:” Yes, you could keep your room! But remember—you are like my night watch! See that the people doesn’t trespass the limits!“
“But how could I do it? Without a weapon?”
“Weapon is forbidden to civilians in this government! “—Mr. Korbl indicates.
“All right, I’ll use my fists!”—Digobert said.
“OH, no! I was joking. Certainly there’s prohibition! But I have some alternative weapons! Here—this pistol shoots ice! Very dangerous if you shoot at a face or to the heart—but in any other part, it will only makes a painful wound.”
And he handled him a strange pistol. Digobert said:” Thanks. I guess I’ll be having some fun.”
“Yes, but take care! The most of the troubles with drunkards ends only when you convince them to leave the place!”—Mr. Korbl said.
102
Digobert went to leave the gun at his room, but then he mistrust the Producer and hides it on the roof.
From there, he went to buy tickets to Rixiaberg, and some new clothes and shoes, and a pair of valises .He leaves it on a shelf at the Aerial Terminal. Then he went for a coffee and a sandwich.
Digobert begin to think in his own future: a man of his age, with an interesting woman to feed and make happy (preferable with fine food ,fancy clothes and jewels)… he was going to work hard to retain her at his side. Of course, it was possibly than all he could give her could be not enough for the lady to get bored with him.
That day was seemingly eternal for Digobert. He didn’t return to the “Suhrim Theatre” (now a ballroom) in order not to find Mr. Boskon Korbl around.
At 21 hours, he arrives to the Theater; people were already dancing and he salutes an AB who was standing near the corridor.
“Good night, e—man! Is it all tranquil around here?”
“Yes, Mr. Farol. Are you quitting early tomorrow?”—The electrical man asked.
Digobert was surprised, because he hasn’t informed those Artificial Beings about his plans, so he replied with another question:’ Yes, why do you ask?”
“Because you ignore certain facts, Sir! Mr. Boskon carry Miss Lamat to his home on the field!”—The e—man replied.
Digobert realize that her visit was not passed unnoticed for this electrical people, so he said:” Really? I was going to have another interview with that lady.”
The Guard said:’ I recommend you to pay a visit to Mr. Boskon Korbl right away.”
“Why the hurry?”
“Because he said they are going to get married at the house in the field: tomorrow morning, Sir.”—The e—man informed him.
103
Digobert was astounded—his well planned plot became now a waste of time. He looks at his wristwatch: 22.30 hours…
He returns to the aerial terminal, and rented a Flier for a whole day—it was expensive, but much necessary.
The in—built driver said, when Digobert was already seated inside the apparatus: Where to, buddy?”
“Call me “master”, please. All I know it’s near a river, way up north.”
“How much north, master?”
“About an hour of travel.”
“Seat and buckle the belt, master. Departure depends on it.”
“Ready.”
“There we go! And the hour—in which kind of vehicle you did your previous voyage, master?”
“In a Flier wagon.”
“Right. Normal velocity, then. One hour flight. You can doze now, Master. I’ll tell you when you can peek down.”= The driver said.
104
Digobert leaned back on his seat, but it was not possibly to doze—or sleep—in his mental state. Soon, and very soon for his troubled mind, the soothing voice of the driver said:” Arriving to the spot, master. Did we land?”
“Only if it’s a house around here.”—Digobert said.
“I can see—no house, master. Only trees.”
“Search for a house, please! I get to find a house.”—Digobert almost begged.
The aerial machine has a small radar, and guided by it, the in—built driver finds a house, eight kilometers to the west. As it was dark, Digobert saw only shadows down below, but the driver explains him what the building was like, so he said:” It fits! I guess there’s no other building in the surroundings. Let’s land.”
The house has some dim lights, mainly at the front door. He choose the rear door—it has a very resilient material, not possibly to be opened with his bare hands.
Digobert waits until dawn, and under that light, he saw an opened window at the second floor—using the Flier as a ladder, he gets inside as silently as he could—it was a bedroom; and it was empty. He tiptoed to the corridor, and saw it has four other rooms, with their doors shut. He opened three of them—at the first, a person was snoring badly, so he was sure it was not a lady. The fourth door was locked. He tried to open, but didn’t yield—he walked into the adjacent room, and using the balcony he could enter that room, risking his neck in the process.
A small night table has a small lamp, and under that faint light, he could see Lamat’s face. She awoke as feeling somebody’s presence and Digobert said:’ It’s me! Don’t be afraid!”
“Digobert? How did you get inside?”—She
105
Asked—a faint voice to hear in the dawn of a new day. He leaned unto her, kissing her cheek—she avoided a kiss in her lips—and said:” I have a Flier outside! Let’s go!”
She embraces him, saying:” He wants to get married today, dear!”
“Well! Are you coming with me, or are you staying to stay here and marry that fiend?”—He asked, half in surprise.
“He’s not a fiend, Digobert! Korbl is just a millionaire trying to begin a romance!”—Lamat explained.
“Well! You can stay here, then! I get to go.”—Digobert said, walking to the door.
“No, wait! I’m totally decided not to marry that man! I go with you!”—Lamat Digot said, beginning to pack several jewels into her valises, together with dozens of expensive clothes.
“I’ll see if he’s sleeping.”—Digobert said, taking one of her silk clothes. At the corridor, he realizes he better ends with Mr. Korbl or that man could transform their life in a very disagreeable nightmare. He tiptoed into his bedroom, and using the night lamp—this one was bigger—he begin to bang that ugly head with all of his strength. The corpulent man awakes and grabs the lamp from his hand very easily, trying to grasp what was happening with him. Digobert run to the corridor, and enters Lamat’s bedroom, locking the door.
“What happens, dear? Is Boskon awake or what?”—She asked, in a conversational tone.
“I went to see him at his bedroom, but he awoke! Now he’s after me!”—Digobert said, while the door was being hitting by the Producer at the corridor.
“Lamat! Lamat! Are you all right?”—The voice of Boskon boomed outside the door.
“Yes, Boskon! What is happening?”—She asked, opening the door.
“There’s a robber inside the house! Don’t open the door—I’ll get the machine gun!”—Boskon said, closing the door and running by the corridor.
“He’s going to get his machine gun!”—She announced to the terrified Digobert.
“Damn! I’m in a big trouble!”—Digobert said, walking to the balcony—he yelled to the Flier, that was parked at the ground, and suddenly the aerial vehicle appears next to the railings, while the voice of the in—built driver was saying:’ Jump inside, master!”
“Jump inside, darling!”—Digobert asked her, in a terrified voice. She handled him her valises, saying:’ I’m not leaving without these! “ And she jumped to the Flier; Digobert gives her the valises, and then he went inside the Flier, seating next to her.
“Where to, master?”—The voice of the driver was heard coming from the console.
“Return to the city! Hurry!”—Digobert ordered, with a troubled voice.
“Okie dokie, master! Buckle your seat belt!”—The driver said, and when he did that, the vehicle jumped up and away, under a shower of bullets coming from Boskon’s machine gun…
‘Don’t run like this, driver! Ease the velocity, please! Now we are not in a hurry, isn’t it?”—Lamat said to the driver, as the Flier was breaking the speed of sound.
106
“Where’s Korbl’s Flier, darling?”—Digobert asked her.
“Oh, yes! He has a Flier at the hangar! Driver! Let’s get hurry—again!”—Lamat said, trying to look backwards.
“No enemy ship incoming, lady! I’ll tell you when.”—The driver chuckled, and speeded ahead.
107
“We’ll leave the planet! I can sell some jewels, dear! Korbl could ask for a reimbursing.”—Lamat said, caressing the ring she had on her right hand.
“Oh, what a pity I cannot tell you not to do it! But my money bag isn’t too replenished.”—Digobert announced.
108
When arriving to Rixiaberg, they booked at a cheap hotel, as Mr. Bajordion and wife; Lamat Digot said:’ We got to work, Digobert! So, I’ll be searching for a job right now—it’s dangerous not to try to get a job from the first, because later the person succumbs to illnesses.”
“You are right, Lamat. Now, I’ll go see if I can get a job for me.”—Digobert said, sending the Flier back to Oredloro. Then he went to the bohemian side of town, evaluating what to do next. He saw that several premises were offered for rent, and one of the places was located in a much concurred street – he asks for the price.
“Eighty thousand Credits a month, Sir. It’s now in bad conditions—the baths are half in order.”—A small man said, while he shows it around. There were rails for the chairs, and most of them in need of repair—there was a strong rat smell in the air.
“I can give you five thousand credits right now—the rest at the end of a thirty days term.”—Digobert said, and the man laughed, saying:’ With five thousand Credits you cannot possibly tempt me, Sir! Five thousand grand means nothing at all, nowadays.”
“Could be forty thousand Credits enough for you?”—Digobert said, and the eyes of the landlord shone with greed, and said: “ Well, it could be. But remember you get to pay me the rest at the end of that thirty days term.”—
“Yes, I guess I can manage it! I’ll go find those thirty five thousand Credits I need—do not rent it in between!”—Digobert said, and the man moves his head, meaning he could be renting the place to the first that appears with a wad of Bank bills, or a fatty Credit Card…
Digobert delayed his come back to the Hotel, giving time for her to arrive first; then he knocked on the door. Lamat opens it, saying:” I was going to take a shower, dear!”
“Sorry, I have no keys.”—He said, and closes the door behind him; she went to take a salt bath, saying:’ I leave my feet on the street-walks for nothing! I get no job—but tomorrow I’ll intend again!”
Soon she was resting inside the bathtub fill with water, and said:’ And what about you, dear?”
“I almost rent a place! I can transform it on a nice Theatre—you’ll be the star!”—Digobert said; she looks at him, unbelievingly, and asked:” Where do you want to rent a place, Digobert?”
“At Renzi street, near the “Laferte Mall”; plenty of bohemian places, around there—no theater yet. I think it’s right on the precise spot.”—Digobert announced.
Lamat smiled, and said:--’ Well, I was sure you were a winner, my dear! “
--“There’s a little problem: the monthly rent is for eighty thousand Credits, and I only have five thousands.”—Digobert said; her face fall visibly but she managed to say:” But you cannot possibly rent with so exiguous a sum! You are just dreaming.”
“No! I am sure that in two weeks we could pay him the money! He accepts 40.000 Credits now, and the rest at the end of the thirty days lease. I need only thirty five thousands.”—Digobert said, and Lamat was silent—then she said:’ If I sell my jewels, I’m sure I can make the thirty five thousand Credits that you need; tomorrow I’ll be going to see the place, and if I like it, we’ll be making a deal with that person.”
“He’s a small guy—don’t know his name yet.”—Digobert said.
“No matter that! A dwarf: that is what we’ll call him! Perhaps the name could gives us luck!”—She laughed, and Digobert kissed her, wetting his pants with the border of the bathtub.
At the next day they both went to talk with that man…
“Good day, Sir. My husband talks with you about renting this place. May I see it now?-- Lamat said, looking at the run down and half lit dusty corridor.
“Yes, lady! Come on in! It’s in need of a cleaning, that’s all!”—The man said, walking ahead and lighting the lamps for them to see. Lamat sighed, when looking the place—all was in need of repair, specially the seats.
“Which is your name, Sir? “—She asked him, turning her big eyes on him; the man shrinked and said:’ Polfeir, lady! I’m the owner—this is an heritage, you know? And the people who rented this place were a bunch of ill mannered bad paying people! That’s why I haven’t money to do the repairs.”—Polfeir said.
“Very well, see what I have here: my jewels! They cost more than eighty thousand Credits—I’ll give them to you, as the first installment! We’ll be repairing the place and we’ll open this as a Theatre. In a month or two, you’ll have a newly renovated place, only if you give us a pair of months to make reparations—the next payment will have to wait.”
“Why to wait?’—Polfeir asked, looking at the rings and bracelets with awe.
“Yes! We pay now with these jewels, and you give us two months for to make the repairs—if we start before that time, it’ll be our problem, not yours! And at the third month, we’ll be paying you the next eighty thousand Credits—cash! I’m sure we could make money here, but we must repair the place first.”—Said she, walking ahead. Polfeir was enchanted with her attitude, and also with her nice figure; he could not say no, and he keeps the jewels as the first pay.
She takes Digobert away from the owner, and said:’ See? The guy accepts my offer right away! Now we just repair those faulty seats, and begin tomorrow! We’ll be repairing as we go—I am sure that at the end of those two months, we’ll be having enough money to pay this guy his rent.”
“I am sure of it! We need some personnel—a couple of more actors?”—Digobert asked.
“Yes, of course—a couple of more actors, and people making the repairs and moving things, a person at the counter—we’ll pay them with your money.”—Lamat said, kissing him with joy, and added:’ We’re on Rixiaberg, it’s a cosmopolite city: Guess not as interested in Knappian history.”
“Darling: I had selected a number of comedies that I am sure you’ll enjoy acting. We’ll not need the holographic set at the beginning.”—Digobert said.
Later, they found a pair of actors (male and female) who accept to work for peanuts; they rehearse the first play several times during the days that follows, with the carpenters working at the stage and at the seats. Then, one morning Lamat Digot said:’ We’re ready to begin! Tomorrow we’ll start putting advertisements on the streets!”
The first representation gets no more than twenty people at the “Digot Theatre”, but in the passing days, slowly and painfully, the people begin to occupy more and more seats until at the end of that first month there was no room left for more public
Later, at their dressing room, Lamat counts the money, and said:’ Five hundred Credits in all, dear! We must take in account the beginning of our enterprise—days almost without people at the “Digot Theatre”, but now we are almost full every day!”
“Yes, darling! I am sure we could make six thousands per month! Of course, we must pay the rent and to our staff.”—Digobert said.
“I wish we could buy the “Digot Theatre” to the dwarf! I am sure he will sell me the place.”—Lamat said, happily. Digobert wasn’t so sure, but he plays along—he wasn’t going to spoil that luminous night with pessimism.
At the second month they hired another two actors, and they keep on going with moderate success, enough for them to keep going.
“We’ll be playing for ever, dear! Easy going comedies, for a captured audience! They seem to love us!”—Lamat Digot said.
“Yes, they love you! It is the same that happens at Oredloro.”—Digobert replied, embracing her.
“Weeks of success! I feel humble and happy tonight!”—Lamat said, returning his embrace…
THE END.
Ended 2/22/2011 19:10
First Revision 2/25/11 12.28


Notes:
*1
Lambeosaurus, L. lambei, quite similar to the Corythosaurus but the form of the head adornment. Compared to Corythosaurus, the crest of Lambeosaurus was shifted forward, and the hollow nasal passages within were at the front of the crest and stacked vertically. It also can be differentiated from Corythosaurus by its lack of forking nasal processes making up part of the sides of the crest, which is the only way to tell juveniles of the two genera apart: the crests took on their distinctive forms as the animals aged.
In build, Lambeosaurus was like other hadrosaurids, and could move on both two legs and all fours, as shown by footprints of related animals. It had a long tail stiffened by ossified tendons that prevented it from drooping. The hands had four fingers, lacking the innermost finger of the generalized five—fingered tetrapod hand, while the second, third, and fourth fingers were bunched together and bore hooves, suggesting the animal could use the hands for support. The fifth finger was free and could be used to manipulate objects. Each foot had only the three central toes.
#2 Trichinosis
Trichinosis (also termed trichinellosis, trichiniasis, or trichinelliasis) is a disease caused by parasites, called roundworms (Trichinella spp.), that can infect and damage many body tissues. Although the parasites can pass through the intestinal tract and other tissues, muscle tissues are where the majority of them persist. Trichinosis is usually characterized by two phases; the initial phase (intestinal) of abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and nausea that begins one to two days after ingestion and the second phase (muscle) of muscle aches, itching, fever, chills, and joint pains.