Chapter 2: Peril Apparel

I trust Wati with my life. Have already incurred the debt.

“I owe you my life!” I’m grateful when Wati singlehandedly repels nearly a dozen angry vindictive attackers intending ME serious bodily harm or worse.

“Think no more of it”, Wati replies with a shy smile.

“Certainly my hide is at least worth lunch. Follow me to the eatables. This way!”

Passing through Regina’s front parlor and the kitchen beyond, I point out that the structures alongside, seen through the windows, are new since I was last here. Having no idea of their purpose, I announce my intention to satisfy my curiosity later. After lunch. I’m HONGRY! Wati admits he could tolerate a bite, too.

The back door from the kitchen, leads directly into the EROS Texas deck foyer. The security doors are wide open sans guards. I was expecting a bit of resistance from Goblin Seals security and have a plausible story all ready, prepared to sell for access. Disappointing it’s brilliance is wasted, not needed. Maybe another time?

“Look, I swear we’ll eat soon. First, I just want to stop in here and say hi, okay?”

Rapping lightly on Bebe’s and Flor’s door, I wasn’t prepared to absorb the fury exploding from the immediately yawning door-frame. Flor knocked me off my feet. Flat on my back on the foyer deck, with Flor on top of me, alternating pecking me with staccato kisses and choppy words.

“Ran, kiss, dee!, kiss, kiss, what, kiss, are, kiss, you, kiss, kiss, do, kiss, ing, kiss, here?, kiss, Don’t, kiss, you, kiss, kiss, know, kiss, kiss, it’s, kiss, danger, kiss, rous?, kiss, kiss, kiss.”

(Randy, what are you doing here? Don’t you know it’s dangerous?) I interpret.

The kisses translate without any additional interpretation needed.

Pushing Flor slightly away from my face, my palm cupped over her mouth catches the continuous onslaught of kisses, I chuckle and smile at her exuberant welcome.

“A chance to see you Flor, is worth braving any danger for.”

Then I kiss her soundly on the mouth. It was a most necessary stopgap. Flor was about to blubber, moved to tears. Tiny Bebe smiles at me from the doorway. Flor is weeping on my shoulder, her arms choking me. I’m trying to sit up, but the weight of Flor on my upper body, has me pinned to the deck. Bebe and Wati tug at Flor to get her off me. Flor stumbles up, Wati helps me stand.

“Come inside before you’re seen, idiots!” Bebe beckons us to enter. Closes and locks the door behind us once we’re within.

“What are you doing here?’” Bebe demands in a stern tone of her baby voice.

“Wanting to see dear friends isn’t a sufficient motive?” Bebe looks unconvinced

“No place else to go?” I ante. Bebe scoffs at that one.

“Almost any other place is safer for you than here.” Bebe chides me. “You must be hungry. It’s nearly a universal complaint now. Wait here, keep your voices down, and I’ll bring you something. Quiet now. Wait!”

Bebe slipped out. Flor relocked the door and asked what is it like in Singapore.

“Anarchy. Desperation. Hopeless. Same as everywhere.” is my rehearsed reply.

“How are you coping with the situation?”

“Better than most.” Flor is dismissive of any hardships they’ve suffered. Doesn’t want to burden me with their troubles is my speculation.

“What’s the new construction beside Helena’s house? I noticed it immediately when we arrived. Looks extensive, seems a major project. It’s new. What’s it about? For?”

“The Goblins did it. They didn’t want to abandon us with an untended nuclear reactor ready to melt down or worse. I don’t really know for certain, but I heard they sent the reactor to burn up in the sun. Does that sound possible? Reasonable”

Who knows what Goblins consider possible and reasonable? Flor continues.

“The steam generators from EROS they re-installed here, hooked to geothermal steam vents they drilled here. Now the plant produce electricity for the entire ranch and also feeds EROS through a heavy power cable. EROS is on shore power. Has been ever since arriving at Phuket. EROS is practically a ghost ship now. Everybody has left. Most everybody. Nobody wants to be near or live with a necrophiliac. Disgusts them. Disgusts me too. Even one of the corpses left. Disgusted it too, I guess.” Flor is full of it. Some of it is real information.

A corpse leaving a necrophiliac in disgust? Flor must have twisted around something she heard and failed to understand. It is kind of funny, almost. Almost.

“Open the door.” Bebe’s hushed voice accompanies a light tapping. Regina is with her, carrying a large ornate picnic basket. Hugs and kisses for me, hello Regina. After an introduction, hugs and kisses for Wati, too. Bebe and Flor belatedly get in on the hugging and kissing welcome for Wati. I suppose I must look deprived and neglected, they welcome me affectionately again. Bebe did forget hugging and kissing me, too busy berating me, the first time. Not that I’m feeling sore about it.

The basket holds a veritable feast. Regina proudly serves us. She misses having an appreciative crowd for her cooking. Short of being a crowd, we try to do justice to the meal. Even after I’m stuffed, I allow Regina to press one more piece of cold fried chicken upon me. Regina explains, thanks to Helena, many of the crew of EROS didn’t go far. Joined the staff of the ranch, now run a a commune. Everything raised and consumed on and by the ranch. No customers, it’s not a business venture. It’s a survival lifestyle. Everybody contributes to the labor pool.

And what does EROS contribute in exchange for the electricity and groceries furnished by the ranch? Seems to me, EROS is a parasite. Phil too.

EROS contributed the power plant, on loan or you might, could say, rented to the ranch in exchange for what EROS needs. Regina things it a fair exchange. I don’t.