Interlude--Ramona Part Three

Interlude--Ramona Part Three

Ramona looked to where the terrible metal-covered man had been only moments earlier. He was no longer there. It felt as if she had been standing in that very spot for hours. Her joints were stiff, and she was parched.

The voices continued.

Where was the murmuring coming from? From her vantage point, she couldnt see anyone. She ducked down and looked around. They were thirty feet away from her, at least, yet she could hear them whispering as if she were far closer.

Ramona had seen enough movies to know that if the plot required it, characters could overhear more than physics ought to allow, but she had no idea that she was in a movie. In fact, she had no idea she was in a different decade.

Still, she couldnt help but listen. She was hidden from the view of the car as she crouched in the field behind a row of poorly trimmed bushes. Ignoring human speech is easy, but human whispers have a way of catching ones attention.

When is he supposed to get here? one man asked.

Geist is tearing him a new one about some movie scene, another voice said. He let the air out of Geists town cars tires to make sure ol Carlyle would need a ride. If Im right about Bensen calling Daddy for help, Carlyle will be here soon.

Carlyle Geist? Ramona thought. Everyone knew that Carlyle Geist was dead. What was the rhyme about the Geists deaths again? Middle school in Carousel was quite an odd experience.

She tried to remember

~-~

Bart met his end, scared by his own shadow,

Lost in the night, alone in a meadow.

Ellie fell in a well, left there to dwell,

Tom got caught in a spell, rang heaven's bell.

Children gone missing, some snatched in the night,

Vanished from beds, a community's fright.

Cherise, they do say, was gnawed by a rat,

In the asylum's halls, her habitat.

Carlyle and Bensen, with gears and a crash,

In the factory's grave, they turned to ash.

The rest were charred in the manor's fierce blaze,

Smoke, flames, and just deserts ended their days.

Old Jed remains, with a grin ear to ear,

He's outlasting them all, year after year.

~-~

That was right. There were more, of course, though the deaths before Bartholomew were not as sensationalized.

Carlyle Geist had died in a factory accident. She looked at the building in the direction the men were staringa factory. The word Geist was painted on the building large enough that she could read it from where she was, even in the dying sunlight.

That couldnt be. Ramona refused to believe the picture her mind was piecing together. What proof could she find, though?

She listened further to the men as they sat in the car and repeated their plans over and over in different ways. If she didnt know better, it almost sounded like they wanted her to understand what was going on.

That couldnt be it. If she had been thinking about movies, she might have called this lazy writing. Having men of ill intent speak their intentions in earshot of a hiding main character. She wasnt thinking of movies. She was thinking that these men had, to the best of her understanding, hired someone to burn down the factory.

She couldnt believe they were after Carlyle Geist. He was dead. This had to be some kind of misunderstanding.

And then she saw the car arrive. It was a mid-size car, fairly well-kept. It pulled up to the front entrance of the factory, and the passenger door opened. An older man with a cane stepped out.

Did she recognize him? She couldnt tell in the distance. She had definitely seen Carlyle Geist before. He was famous when she grew up. He had been in a lot of Geist films, though he usually just did introductions for things like double features.

She recognized the cane. That was his trademark accessory. What were the odds that this man carried a cane, just like Carlyle Geist?

No, this is the only part you have to repeat anymore. We found the right preparations long ago. Trying to control a player is difficult. Trying to control you, doubly so. You all cant be controlled, only positioned.

He was so familiar to her. Stepping out onto that porch and seeing Silas Dyrkon. She had done that before. It wasnt until she took the step that she remembered it.

I failed, she said. I dont remember what happened. You were going to help me save my sister.

Silas shook his head. I wouldnt say you failed. For your part, you did wonderfully. But you arent the only cog in this timepiece.

Ramona could barely breathe as she took it all in. That moment in time took hold of her brain in a way she could not understand, even though she had lived through it many times before.

Im sorry, she said, a tear falling down her cheek. She had yet to remember what she was sorry for except that she felt she had failed her sister. She never would remember the details.

There is no need to cry about past mistakes, Silas said. Eternity is a hell of a thing to fall back on. Trust me. He turned and faced the overgrown path that led away from Jeds house. Walk with me, he said, never looking back to see if she would.

Of course, she did follow him.

You want me to do something, is that right? she asked. You want me to do something for you, and you will help save my sister.

Silas held up a hand with a smile. Language, my dear, language. I merely suggest that if you want to save your sister, there is a way it can be done. I suggested nothing of an official arrangement nor promise.

Ramona suddenly remembered him having said that before. She strained to try to remember why that was.

You dont make deals? she asked, trying to remember how he had described it before.

I promise; you do not want me to make you a promise, he said with a laugh.

They continued talking in their own odd way. Much of the conversation happened in Ramonas memories and continued into the present. Silas Dyrkon was patient and had a good idea of where her train of thought was headed at any given time. They found themselves sitting on a park bench.

It was when you tried to help Lillian Geist, he said. That was all the proof we needed. Then, when your actions got your sister killed, you chased her killer. That, too, took us aback.

I got my sister killed? she asked.

Silas solemnly responded, Yes, you hold part of the blame, though Ill gladly take the lions share. You couldnt have known what would happen, but if lack of foreknowledge were an excuse for consequences, no man would be liable for anything. Yes, you could have escaped with her then before the Die Cast arrived. We only wanted you there for the players to meet you, if only briefly, when their time came. You chose to try to help a stranger. That was very noble of you. You can never predict which person will overcome their casting.

Ramona began to cry again.

Im sorry, she said.

Wipe your tears, my dear Ramona; there will be time to cry later. Now is the time for me to tell you what you must do, Silas said sternly. He handed her a handkerchief so she could wipe her tears away.

You want me to pick up the ring, she responded. She wrapped her arms around herself. She couldnt remember past that moment, the moment he told her what to do to save her sister. Over and over, right?

Silas nodded.

I dont remember what happens after that, she said.

No, you wouldnt, he said. Free will is a strange thing. If you know what you did last time, you might be bound to it or repelled from it. Free will is a precious commodity in this place, and you ought never to give it away, not for promises or reassurances. When you rescue your sister, it must be you who does it if you wish to truly save her.

Ramona sat in silence and watched as the sun rose. Silas watched with her.

What arent you saying? she asked. Even without her full memory, she knew a liar when she met one, even if he was well-spoken. He wasnt telling the whole truth.

Most everything, he replied softly.

She nodded. So I pick up the ring.

You pick up that Omen every day, he said. Its easier if we have you do it. Don't ask questions. It's political. You pick it up. Everyone will start preparing for a Centennial. Save Carlyle Geist, just like you did before; we liked that. If you do it every day, you will prepare the way for those who will come to help you. Youll be one of them. Every single day, the real Centennial, your Centennial, will be close to appearing. It may take them a few tries, but eventually, they will seek you out and help you whether they know thats what theyre doing or not. When that happens, your sister can be saved.

But no promises, she said.

None at all, Ramona, Silas said.

She didnt understand why he wanted that, but her memories of that moment compounded, and she knew he would explain no more.

How long will I have to keep picking up the ring? she asked.

You will do it every day until something unusual happens, he said. Dont you worry; time will fly by when you arent looking.

Ramonas anger had faded to resolve. Her stomach filled with butterflies.

Can I succeed? she asked.

Silas took in a deep breath. There have been successes before. Fleeting success, but success nonetheless. Those who are coming may be different. They are unorthodox. Carousel may hold a grudge against them; who could say? I should warn you, though, there hasnt been a happy ending in Carousel yet.

She furrowed her brow, but Silas didnt explain any further.

But we have eternity to fall back on? Ramona asked.

Silas laughed.

That we do, he said. That we do.