Excerpt



Van suspected the secret project was building a weapon so powerful it could assure world peace. Its existence could be sabotaged by enemy countries that would go all out to destroy the project. It could be nuked by countries that had the bomb. This was a precarious place to live and the secrecy was crucially necessary. They had named the village Terces; secret spelled backwards. Van found a drugstore and bought his toothpaste. He saw the city hall in the distance and walked to it. People he encountered smiled and nodded. He entered the city hall and found directions to the clerk that updated the bulletin boards list of available jobs. An attractive girl with brown fluffy hair and brown smiling eyes greeted him from behind a counter.

She said, Youre new.

No, Im not, Van denied. Ive been wandering around earth for thirty-one years. What can I do for you?

She smiled. You mean, what can I do for you?

Thats what I said.

Oh, my. A comedian. Youll have to join our stage group. We put on plays. My name is Nancy Tucker.

Hello, Nancy. Im Van Zandt a rejected recruit. Are you a rejected recruit?

No, Im on hold.

Oh. May I hold you?

No.

I need a job.

What can you do?

I can play chopsticks. But I excel at holding anyone wishing to be held.

Nancy smiled. The lieutenant in front of her was handsome, tall and witty. She never lied to herself and silently admitted she was attracted to him. She said, We need a garbage loader for our trash trucks. Can you hold your breath and dump trash?

Van wasnt surprised he was attracted to her. She had a pretty face with sensual eyes and what he could see of her figure, it was sexy. He smiled. His libido considered all pretty girls sexy. Van asked, May I see the list of available jobs?

Nancy Tucker pointed to a bulletin board on the wall behind him. There were sixty-eight jobs listed with a beneath line describing the job. Van seemed to only glance down the list. He turned to Nancy. I need something more challenging.

You didnt read the whole list.

Yes, I did. I considered all sixty-eight and remember the description of each one.

Oh, really? Whats the thirty-eighth job down the list?

Computer operator in a doctors office. Type sixty words a minute. Nancy stared at him in disbelief without comment. Van explained, I was in a hospital for a time and I prefer separation from medical jobs. How about me teaching you wrestling, swimming or karate? All you need is a leotard.

Dont hit on me. Youre a large handsome guy with a girlfriend waiting for you.

Wrong. She didnt wait. I was wounded in Iraq and gone a couple of years. She remarried and had a baby.

Did you love her?

Yep, and I miss her. I feel lost.

Youre saying the right things. I was broken up over a guy. He married a girl he got pregnant so her brothers wouldnt kill him. We were going to be married. Anyway, enough maudlin. Mister Zandt, wander around and get acquainted with the village and people. Everyone is friendly. When you get bored to tears, come back and choose a job.

If I ask you for a date, and you accept, where in the hell could I take you?

Restaurants, the movies, bowling, pool room, swimming, miniature golf, croquette, tennis, ping pong, team up for two persons volley ball, checkers, chess, and all the card games two people play.

Okay. Lets do one every night youre free.