The Doctrine of Presence. Benjamin Vance

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      “You’re wanted for murder in Venezuela, Jim!” were the first words of a phone call from my “friend” Andy Wall. I thought the son of a bitch was attempting to renege on our agreement, and I hung up. When I made an appointment to see the CEO of Metrid, Andy got wind of it and transferred our money immediately. That not only made us happy, it basically indemnified us from any type of action from Metrid or the Venezuelan government ... possibly. Metrid had a big hammer and wielded it with finesse and accuracy when necessary, if our benefactor was actually Metrid. What better way to cover a spook operation?

      I talked over Andy’s declaration personally and privately with Leo. His opinion; there was a hidden agenda behind Andy’s accusation. He said, “Whatever Andy told you about being wanted for murder, it’s strictly bull shit. He must have known you would go to any lengths to get our money, and why would he spoil us for any other use by his company or others with like mind. Metrid got more than their money’s worth. He has something else on his mind. Andy’s not the deepest thinker on the planet, but he’s a clear thinker and a fairly good planner. He’ll be planning to use you again, and he may have surprised you with the murder accusation to test your mettle. He used to do the same to me; didn’t like it, but accepted it as his method of operation.”

      Knowing he talked to Andy periodically, I said, “If he gets on my bad side I’ll fuck over him so bad he’ll wish he’d never met me. I ain’t much, if not vindictive, Leo. I’ve been in the deepest shit too.”

      “I got you Daiwee. I really think he likes you, even if he thinks you got him dumped from jump school.”

      “Stupid shit got himself dumped from jump school. He was scared to drop anywhere; didn’t want to drop in trees … so steered right under me without looking up. I hit his chute and couldn’t walk off because he panicked and dumped air … simple as that.”

      “Okay Daiwee, I hear ya. So, what do we do now?”

      “Well, I guess we attend to the real world things. Greenie hasn’t transferred his money out of the holding account. Will you talk to him and let him know there’s nothing to be ashamed of; being a millionaire.”

      Leo almost grinned and said he’d talk to Greenie. I trusted Leo, but only so far at that time. I stopped that blind trust many years ago in ‘Nam. I recognized that positive and repeated hind checking and follow-up are superior to sunny optimism any day. After Leo left, I was about three mental inches into deep thought when the cell rang. It was Fredo. He said, “Hey Daiwee, wha’s happenin’? You havin’ a good day, Gringo?”

      “Oh, so-so Fredo, how are you? You settled down from that sweet tied-up thing down south?”

      “Sheeeet, Daiwee, she scared me; gave me the whillies, man. I never saw anybody do that, let alone a tied-up woman, man. Hey, Daiwee what would you say if I dropped out of the group?”

      “Wow, I guess I’d be … puzzled Fredo. Did you meet somebody or do you just want to enjoy life, or what? Come to think of it, it’s none of my business, if that’s what you want to do just do it. I don’t think anyone would be pissed or hurt or anything. You should talk it over with the rest of the guys though, I think.”

      “Fuck ‘em, man! I don’t care what they think. I mean I like ‘em, but I’m not really into permission. I just wanted to see what you said. What are you gonna to do? I don’t think we’re ever gonna to get a job like we wanted; you know helping pequenos animales that can’t help themselves and shit. I don’t know who to call or write to offer help. Yeah, it’s nice having money, but it ain’t everything, man.”

      “Yeah, I feel like I’m sitting around with my thumb up my ass too. I thought Greenie could set us up, but through no fault of his own, I guess he ran up against a wall. No one will talk to him … he says. None of the rest of us have any contacts that I know of either.”

      “How about your lady Sam, ain’t she a vet? She should know of some shit we could get into. How about in other countries like Africa or Asia? I read stuff all the time about elephants and rhinos and bears and stuff gettin’ killed for their parts. That’s bullshit man. We could be stopping some of it and handin them their culos on a plate.”

      “You know, you’re right, I need to talk to Sam about it. She may know something I don’t. We’ve never really discussed it.”

      “Yeah, it’s hard to discuss anything with your mouth full of hair, huh Daiwee, huh … hey-hey-hey.” He laughed at his own crudeness.

      “Man, do you always have your mind in the gutter?”

      “Hell no Daiwee, I only have my mind in the gutter about ninety nine percent of the time. The rest of the time I’m asleep with a boner.”

      I retorted, “Yeah, with help from the wonderful world of chemistry. You’re an old man, why do you lie like this all the time. You should be shriveling up like everyone else by now.”

      “Oh shit, I’m gonna to get off the line before you hurt my feelin’s. Will you call me if you find anything?”

      “Sure, Fredo and I’ll talk … to Samantha about it.”

      He made some gross mumbling with his hand over his mouth, laughed and bade goodbye. Why I never thought to ask Sam … maybe I wanted to keep her out of the garbage can of life? I had my speech prepared when she came home, but I wasn’t prepared for what ensued.

      I waited until she cleansed herself of the grime from the day and came from her shower, wearing my T-shirt. She started the conversation before I had a chance to say a word. She said, “What do you want to ask me? Don’t be coy, baby, I know you a little bit by now, I think.”

      “I was talking to that pervert Fredo today and he suggested I talk to you”---I saw her stiffen---“about taking a trip to Africa.” She obviously relaxed a little. “You know we have been screwing around with the idea of rescuing animals from poachers, film crews and such. СКАЧАТЬ