#61: I find this to be disturbing

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I find this to be disturbing

Captain, Marc and Kamiko were having coffee and donuts as usual at the start of their day. Kamiko was in full blown Dragon Lady mode. She was obviously very upset about something.

“The Cody thing?” Captain asked.

“How did you guess?” She asked him.

“Us NobleRedMen know these things” Captain said.

“I’m the Red Man.” Marc said “ You’re the pale face. You’d think that after all these years.....”

In spite of herself Kamiko grinned. “This is intolerable. We must put a stop to it.”

“Any ideas how?” Marc asked. “I got to admit that I’m getting really tired of ‘catch and release’ . I’ll do anything that needs to be done. I was only half teasing when I suggested throwing them into the river. Should we crank up the cement mixer and begin to measure certain individuals for cement overshoes?”

“It may come to that” Kamiko said. She smiled a bit when Captains eyes opened wide. “but I have another plan first.”

“What’s that.” Captain was curious. He hoped it had something to do with cement overshoes after all. He had a little list.

“My nephew stopped by the house the other day and we had a little chat. Last nights attempted home invasion put everything into a whole new perspective.” She said.

“Pleas continue” Marc said while eating a BearClaw. He’d never tried them before. Tasty.

“You both know Sam?” she asked. They nodded, a bit surprised. “Yes he’s my nephew. I know he looks nothing like I do but...”

The two men nodded but asked no questions. They were brothers and looked nothing alike. Same mother different father. If Kamiko wanted them to know she’d tell them. Until then it was none of their business.

“He told me the tale of a remarkable young man last night.” then she stopped with a thoughtful expression on her face. “Well...maybe not so young. He’s younger than I am but then who isn’t? He’s actually somewhat elderly. He’s a Viet Nam Combat Vet who’s spent a lot of time recovering at SamSnead. A LOT of time. Decades. He works for Sam now.”

Marc and Captain nodded. They knew that the Dragon Lady had other interests beyond Flint Island. None of their business either. If she wanted them to know about it she’d tell them it too.

She did... in detail.

“So you see.” she said “I do what little I can to take care of those who have fallen thru the cracks. Through no fault of their own they need a hand up and not a hand out. I do what I can to provide it. Don’t tell anyone. It’d ruin my image.”

“That said “ she continued ”Sam thinks Shelby is special”

“Why does he think that?” Captain said. No slouch he. Captain was on his third donut. He didn’t particularly like the cake kind and Cody’s mother made MUCH better cookies, but he’d take what he could get.

“Shelby makes wheelchairs.” She told them. She smiled at the blank expression on their faces.

“ ...and flying puppets. Sam thinks he controls the puppet with his mind” She smiled as they comprehended.

“OH.” both of the men said.

“I think we should pay him a little visit. In my old age I find it increasingly difficult to get around. I feel the need for a better wheel chair.” She groaned theatrically.

“You have a wheelchair?” Marc took the bait.

“I’m sure there’s one around here somewhere.” she said. “ Possibly an antique. Ming Dynasty period perhaps? It’s not working out too well. It gives me a back ache....and gas.”

“I’m sorry to hear that “ Captain said..lips quivering. He would NOT smile. NO he would not.

“We’d be happy to escort you to his shop” Marc said. He didn’t give a damn. He was almost chuckling.

The dragon lady smiled too....and ate another donut. Today was a special day, that made it OK.

“I think it would be best if the two of you were to become more intimidating.” she said between nibbles “Practice intimidating. Oh...and remember that we are the Dragon Tong. Use your imagination.”

Marc looked at Captain who looked back.

“Well?” the Dragon Lady said still nibbling her last donut “why are you still here?”

“Yes Ma’am” they said in unison “color us gone.”

.................................

Now how the Hell are we supposed to be intimidating?” Captain asked Marc. “We’ve spent the last few years trying to NOT be intimidating.”

“Yeah.” Marc mumbled. “so as not to scare the children.”

“What’s that you said?” Captain asked. “You’re mumbling again.”

“Children!” Marc said “Scare the children.”

“As if any of the kids on Flint could be scared. Those brats would look the devil square in the face and spit in his eye.” Captain said.

“Exactly” said Marc “Who better to be advisors.?”

"Good plan.” Captain agreed.

.................................

“Ma’am can Tommy come out and play?” Captain asked Tommy’s mother.

“Why...I suppose so.” his mother replied.

“Thank you Ma’am. We won’t be long. I’ll have him back before supper.” Captain replied.

And so it went to each of kids houses. Permission first. With these kids parents there WAS no forgiveness.

.................................
“Are they supposed to be rolling on the floor laughing like that?” Marc asked Captain.

Captain took one look at Marc and began laughing too.

“Not intimidating?” Marc asked

“Uh...no.” Captain replied. “Not so much. How bout we ask the kids what they think.”

“Good idea” Marc agreed.

“Ok you young wise guys.” Captain turned to the group of giggling children “What would YOU have us do? What’s your idea of scary?”

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“Ma’am...please. If you’d just put the gun down. It’s me. Marc.” Marc was looking at the business end of Cody’s mother’s .45.

“Is that you Marc?” she asked.

“Gotcha Mommy” Cody peeked around from behind Marc. “Doesn’t he look scary?”

“He certainly does that” she stated. “ I almost had a heart attack.”

.................................

“So how’d it go?” Marc asked Captain after they’d take all the kids home.

“I never want to do that again” Captain said. “I haven’t looked down the business end of so many firearms since we were in the sandbox.”

“Me too.” Marc said.

“I’m not sure I want to show the Dragon Lady.” he said.

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“Very good boys” Kamiko said “You did not disappoint me.”

Marc and Captain were staring wide-eyed and open mouth. Kamiko was dressed and made up to be a true Dragon Lady. NOT someone that they wanted to cross.

Ever.

“It’s time to go see this Shelby person. We’ll take the limo. I want to see him face to face. I want to see how he reacts. You two are my body guards. My daughter can drive and push my wheelchair. ” the Dragon Lady said. Definitely the Dragon Lady. NOT Kamiko Akiyama. Oh no.

“Remember” she said “Be intimidating.”

“Yes Ma’am” they both said.

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The Next Episode will be
#62: MonoWheel
The Previous Episode was
#60: Attempted Home invasion)
the First episode was
#1 : Prologue
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