abuelo “el oso” by steven donnini

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  • 8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini

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    The BearAbuelo El Oso

    by Steven Donnini

    Written by Steven DonniniLibrary of Congress

    Copyright Steven Donnini 2003

    Austin, Texas

    Orlando, Florida

    [email protected]

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    10 year old Jesse Santiago is dreaming of gliding

    through the air in the twilight with his arms

    stretched out. Although he loved his dreams about

    flying, his favorite one is when he runs across his

    little league baseball field in Phoenix and lifts

    off into the warm summer sky. But, this dream was

    different.

    A wind gust lifts him higher than ever before. He

    thinks, never look down, keep your arms extended,

    cup your hands. He looked, just a glance to see

    the ball field getting smaller, so small that his

    confidence began to slip away. He knows its the

    belief that he can fly that makes it so. Suddenly

    the lift from the air is gone. He frantically

    waves his arms to catch some lift, but nothing

    works. He falls faster and faster toward the

    ground. Suddenly he wakes up in his Grandfather,

    Robertos, arms. Roberto was a World Class weight

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    lifter and professional wrestler, during his

    professional career. Robertos chest, arms and

    legs were photographed many times for bodybuilding

    and wrestling magazine covers. Now, hes a little

    too old for professional wrestling, but he has many

    adoring fans that still recognize him wherever he

    goes. They called him El Oso(The Bear), because

    he would bear hug his opponents until they passed

    out and then throw them on to the canvas. Jesse

    looks up at Roberto with relief knowing he is safe.

    They are riding in the back of a Trailways Coach

    Bus on a trip to the mining town of Jerome, 125

    miles north of Phoenix, Arizona. The tall Saguaro

    cactus stand shoulder to shoulder most of the way

    along Interstate 17 from Sun City to Camp Verde, an

    amazing sight. Jerome is a simple place with many

    tiny wooden homes desperately clinging to the side

    of the mountain. Its a small town with restored

    collectable stores that sell artifacts from the

    copper mining days in the 1800s.

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    This is a trip that Roberto had planned all winter,

    after the traffic accident that killed his daughter

    and son-in-law, Jesses parents. For Roberto the

    idea of being a parent to a young boy is like

    getting a second chance at something that he had

    not done to well the first time around. Roberto

    was on the road working most of the time that his

    daughter was growing. He wanted to spend some time

    with Jesse and to visit his brother Ed in Pason,

    and Ricco, a friend, who had moved to Jerome a few

    years ago. It was going to be a week that they

    would never forget. As the Trailways Coach rolled

    to a stop, Jesse looks out the window at a sign

    that read Welcome to Camp Verde. The Verde River

    runs through the town, which is clustered among

    hundreds of mature cottonwood trees. An oasis from

    the 125 degree summer desert heat. Jesse and

    Roberto retrieve their bags and cross the main

    street to a car lot that rents used cars and

    trucks. Roberto is instantly recognized as El

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    Oso. The owner asks him many questions. Did he

    really squeeze his opponents until they were out on

    their feet? Naturally, theres always drama in

    professional wrestling.

    So, Roberto answers, It was a Saturday night in

    Ft. Worth when I earned the name El Oso, The

    Bear. I was in the ring with The Undertaker and

    he had me in the death grip.

    Jesse comments, Oh yeah, the death grip.

    Roberto, There was no way to get loose. I

    wiggled, turned around, put my arms around him and

    squeezed his body until he went limp. I had never

    done that before. The ring announcer called me El

    Oso. It stuck and I used the bear hug from that

    point on.

    Roberto asks for directions to Tuzigoot Indian

    ruins in Clarkdale. The car lot owner showed them

    the way on a road Atlas. He explains, Tuzigoot is

    a deserted hilltop ancient pueblo, it is easy to

    imagine what life was like in this ancient village

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    built by the Sinagua. It was built around A.D.

    1000. You can see Sinagua Indian spirits that

    appear as flickers of light after dark. I suggest

    you arrive at dusk and watch them dance over the

    ruins.

    He gives Roberto the keys to an aged Isuzu Trooper.

    The drive up the mountain to Jerome is a slow

    winding road with sharp turns and steep grades.

    Jesse reads to Roberto from a travel booklet as

    they wind up the mountain, At the turn of the

    twentieth century, the town of Jerome was a

    collection of houses and buildings, not beautiful,

    seldom comfortable, but durable. Those who came

    were willing to put up with conditions at the time.

    Jerome, Arizona was for making a stake and going

    somewhere else to spend the easy fortune. It was

    above all else a copper mining town. Most of its

    people were young men drawn by the advantages of

    steady employment and excitement. Jerome became an

    around the clock, three shift town boasting 13

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    hotels, 21 bars, and 8 houses of prostitution with

    names like "The Cuban Queen," and the less elegant

    "Cribs." Belgian Jenny, the honky-tonk queen of

    the houses of light love was Jerome's most famous

    Madam.

    Roberto parks the truck in front of a general

    store. They walk down the old town street until

    they see a restaurant, there is a man sitting in a

    chair on the old wooden sidewalk.

    Roberto asks, Im looking for a friend that lives

    here. His name is Ricco, do you know him?

    The man answers, Ricco? Yeah, he spends his time

    down the street at the Copperhead Saloon.

    Jesse asks, Whos Ricco?

    Roberto isnt forthcoming with anything that would

    incriminate himself.

    He answers, Weve been old friends since we were

    in grade school in Tucson.

    Jesse is only more interested, You played ball

    together?

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    Roberto, We didnt have gloves or bats, so we

    played stick ball or soccer everyday after school.

    Jesse, Grandpa, whats prostitution?

    Roberto explains, Its when woman sell their time

    with men.

    Jesse looks up at him, Did Dad pay Mama for her

    time?

    Roberto answers, No, they were married.

    Jesse, Then when youre not married, you have to

    pay?

    Roberto, Not always.

    Jesse, Do girls pay boys for their time?

    Roberto, No. Well, yes sometimes.

    This is not something you should be thinking

    about.

    Jesse, Did Jesus pay girls for their time?

    Roberto annoyed, Jesus didnt have to pay anybody

    to spend time with him.

    Jesse, When we go to church everybody gives him

    money.

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    Roberto frustrated, Thats not the same thing.

    Jesse confused, OH!

    They walk into the busy Copperhead Saloon. The one

    large room has pool tables, floors covered with

    sawdust, dark raw wood walls, antique wooden tables

    and hundreds of snake skins stapled to the wall

    behind the bar. Theres the smell of stale beer,

    tobacco smoke and fried food hanging in the air. A

    sign over the bar reads Nuke the gay whales for

    Jesus. Roberto stops to look around the bar,

    taking it all in.

    He takes a deep breath, This is my kind of place.

    Jesse looks around, pulls up his baggie pants, It

    smells bad in here Grandpa.

    Roberto, Its an acquired smell.

    He pulls out a chair for Jesse at an empty table.

    Set here, Ill get us something to drink. He

    walks to the bar and orders a draft beer and a root

    beer. The bartender Sam is drying glasses and

    drawing beer for customers.

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    Roberto asks, Do you know Ricco?

    Sam answers, Who wants to know?

    Roberto, Im Roberto Suarez, an old friend. I

    havent seen him in years, but I heard he was

    living up here in the mountains.

    Sam asks, Are you the law? There are a lot of

    people up here that have gone missing, you know

    what I mean?

    Roberto, No, I just want to see him again. Like I

    said, its been years.

    Sam is reluctant to say more, He comes in about

    noon and stays until we close. Hes a regular.

    Thats all I know. I dont ask too many questions.

    Roberto carries the glasses to the table and sits

    looking at his watch.

    Jesse asks, Wheres your friend?

    Roberto, Hell be here soon. How about a burger

    and fries? Jesse is into the root beer, he just

    shakes his head yes.

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    When Ricco appears in the doorway Roberto doesnt

    recognize him. By the time he gets to the bar, Sam

    greets him with a drink. The bartender puts burger

    baskets on the bar and signals Roberto to come get

    them.

    He leans forward and points to Ricco, Thats him.

    Roberto gives the burger to Jesse and returns to

    the bar beside Ricco.

    Roberto, Ricco, its me.

    Ricco looks at him, Roberto? What the hell are

    you doing here?

    Roberto, Im here with my grandson. I heard you

    were living here.

    Ricco, Im kind of laying low. Theres some people

    in Texas that would like to get their paws on me.

    Roberto, No doubt.

    Ricco, Its quite up here most of the year. I do

    odd jobs, painting and such. What have you been

    doing?

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    Roberto, When the ground soured in Texas I drove

    to Payson to visit with my brother Ed. He has a

    camping supply store up there. But, hes a hard

    case when it comes to government stuff. So, after

    six months of splitting wood and listening to right

    wing conspiracy talk, I packed it in and moved to

    Phoenix where my sister lives. Ed is a little

    touched in the head after that 5 year jail term in

    Florida. He has an arsenal you wouldnt believe.

    It was kind of scary when his weird friends showed

    up.

    Ricco lowers his voice, Theres a lots of Arizona

    Militiamen living up in these here mountains.

    Theyre all into camouflage clothing, easy to

    spot.

    Roberto glances around, Theres half a dozen guys

    dressed like that.

    Ricco, Thats a problem, theres a lot of

    wannabes. You never know. The best thing is to

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    make friends with one of them. Its a good idea to

    be agreeable with their anti-government talk.

    Roberto, Ive rented an SUV, would you like to

    take a drive with us through the mountains to go

    see him in Payson.

    Ricco, OK, that sounds good, lets go in the

    morning.

    Roberto and Jesse spend the night at Riccos place.

    In the morning, they pack the SUV with Riccos

    camping gear and drive down the mountain to

    Cottonwood.

    The trip east through the mountains is

    breathtaking. There are many campgrounds and

    National Monuments along the way. Jesse wants to

    stop and see all of them. They agree to stop at

    the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. They set up a

    campsite and settle in for the night. The sky

    above the campsite is crystal clear except for the

    campfire smoke curling up to meet the stars. They

    are all around a campfire.

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    Ricco is lying back on an Indian blanket. Its

    always magic to me to look at the stars in the

    mountain sky. Oh, look there goes a satellite

    through the stars.

    Jesse, It could be the space station. Mr.

    Higgins, my science teacher said we could see it

    clearly.

    Roberto, The Sinagua Indians that lived here must

    have seen the stars as part of their lives in a

    totally unremarkable way.

    Ricco, Yeah, they didnt have TV, satellites and

    space stations to distract them.

    The next morning Roberto cooked his famous jalapeno

    tortillas in a cast iron skillet along with Jesses

    favorite food with scrambled eggs and hot salsa.

    They packed up and hit the highway to Payson. The

    summer sun is heating the newly laid black asphalt,

    making it soft and sticky. By noon the traffic is

    thick with vacationers at Eds camping supply

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    store. Roberto finds a parking spot out of the way

    of store customers. Roberto, Jesse and Ricco enter

    the old wooden store and waits for the customers to

    clear out. Its a small store packed with

    everything a camper would need, toothpaste, toilet

    paper, trail mix, canned foods, dried fruit,

    cigarettes, waterproof wooden matches and fire

    wood. Ed is packing the last foodstuffs into paper

    bags for a customer. Ed looks up at Roberto, Ill

    be! What brings you to these parts old man? Ed

    walks over and hugs Roberto.

    Roberto answers We came for a visit. How the hell

    are you?

    Ed, You should have called, this is the busy

    season here at the campgrounds. I wont have much

    time to spend with you during the day.

    Ricco, Is there anything we can do for you?

    Ed, Sure, theres a pile of wood out back that

    needs chopping.

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    Roberto, Ill do it, I could use a little

    exercise. Jesse steps up, Uncle Ed, I can bag

    for you?

    Ed is working the cash register, OK great, but

    dont drop anything.

    Jesse Yes, sir.

    Ricco walks behind the front counter. Wheres

    your new bride?

    Ed, answers without looking up. Ritas in the

    trailer out back rehearsing her comedy act. She

    has a gig tonight. Im going to video tape it.

    Ricco, Can we see her do her thing?

    Ed, Of course, we can all go to the Starlite

    lounge, its 25 cent beer night. There should be a

    big crowd.

    Ricco, What kind of stuff does she do?

    Ed, Ill only spoil it for you, so let it be a

    surprise.

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    That night Ed and Rita load the minivan with all

    kinds of boxes, bags and a full sized stuffed dummy

    she calls Studly.

    Ed says, Be careful his head is getting loose, I

    didnt have time to do any repair work on the

    props.

    Rita irritated, I asked you to do it yesterday.

    You said it would be handled.

    Ed, Dont worry, everything will be fine, its not

    that bad. Hell hold up for the next few shows.

    Rita gets into the van and slams the door so hard

    that the van shakes.

    Ed, Jesus, Rita your going to break the door. You

    dont realize your own strength. Rita, Now, I

    suppose your going to blame me for breaking Studly

    in the first place.

    Ed rolls his eyes and closes the sliding door of

    the van and walks around to the drivers door.

    Ed, I told you not to be so rough with the props.

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    Rita, When the strap on the hard hat came loose

    and ruined the gag, you didnt fix it. Did you?

    Ed sheepishly, Yeah, but we were in that small

    motel near Vegas and we slept late that day, we

    wouldnt have had time to make to the next gig.

    Rita, Thats no excuse. I was so embarrassed when

    it didnt work. Im a prop comic Ed. That means

    that the props are the joke.

    Ed, Thats the problem.

    Rita, Whats that mean?

    Ed, Nothing.

    Ricco knocks on the drivers side window, Are we

    ready to go now?

    Ed, Yeah, just follow me, its just 3 miles down

    the mountain.

    The caravan rolls out of the dusty parking lot at

    Eds Camping Supply Store.

    Ricco, Roberto and Jesse can see Ed waving his

    arms.

    Jesse, What is Uncle Ed mad about?

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    Roberto, Its just his way. Hes a Scorpio.

    Jesse, Whats that?

    Roberto, Its an astrological sign.

    Ricco, When you are born, you come into this world

    under a sign that is about the position of the

    stars and planets. You must be a Gemini.

    Jesse, Why?

    Roberto, Because, you ask so many questions and

    talk too much.

    Jesse, Oh.

    Inside the Starlite Supper Club, Ed is setting up

    the stage and video camera. Rita is at a table

    going over the new jokes and gags. Ricco, Jesse

    and Roberto are setting at another table in the

    dinning room.

    Roberto asks a waitress, What would you recommend

    for this young lad?

    Waitress, The chicken wings, or the Beefalo

    sandwich plate.

    Ricco, Whats a Beefalo sandwich?

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    Waitress, These ranchers out here breed Buffalos

    and cows. It makes them tougher than cattle.

    They can handle the harsh winters better. Its

    really very good.

    Roberto, OK, great. Jesse and I will both have

    one.

    Ricco, Ill go with the Chicken wings and a draft

    beer.

    The club begins to fill with men from logging

    company crews that are working in the area. Seth,

    the club owner and host, introduces Rita onto the

    stage. Ed is in the back of the room operating the

    video camera.

    Rita takes the microphone, Welcome to the Starlite

    Club. I have a few things to say about men and the

    way they treat women.

    A man in the front row says, Lets have it.

    Rita, You asked for it. So, I want you to meet

    the perfect man, his name is Studly.

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    She lifts anatomically correct Studly onto a stool,

    where he is facing the crowded room. Rita

    continues, As you can see hes very excitable in

    all the right places.

    She pushes a button on his back and a dildo whips

    straight up from between his legs to put a bulge in

    his pant.

    Rita, Now, thats what I call a real man. The

    crowd goes wild laughing.

    A guy shouts, Thats my evil twin.

    Rita, This one doesnt talk back.

    The guy says, Bite me.

    Rita, Id have to find it first.

    The crowd laughs.

    Another guy stands up, pulls his pant down and

    says, Bite this one, baby!

    Rita, That looks like a frightened turtle. The

    crowd laughs.

    Another guy says, Take it off. Lets see what

    youve got.

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    Ed doesnt like the way the guys are talking to

    her.

    So, he walks down to the stage and glares at the

    guy.

    Ed, Watch your mouth buddy.

    One guy says, Shes the one with the dildo.

    Ed, Thats my wife youre talking about.

    One of the guys stands up to Ed and pushes him

    backward onto the stage.

    Rita screams, Stop it right now.

    Ed gets up and another guy jumps on him. Ed moves

    back and falls over Studly and the stool onto the

    other props. Rita runs off the stage crying. One

    guy is punched and a brawl breaks out in the first

    row of tables. Ed has Ritas comedy props in each

    hand. He smashes a guy in the head with one dildo

    prop and then again with another.

    Ricco stands up and shouts, Ed, what the hell are

    you doing?

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    Roberto and Jesse stay at the table eating their

    dinner.

    Roberto, This is more fun than the days in the

    wrestling ring.

    Roberto tells Jesse, Stay put in your chair, Ill

    be right back.

    He makes his way to Ed. He is at the bottom of a

    pile of lumberjacks. One by one Roberto peels away

    the guys off of Ed. Your too small for this.

    Roberto throws a guy over a table, Youre too

    skinny to be fighting.

    He throws another guy off the stage and grabs two

    guys by their necks and bangs their heads together.

    And, you guys are to stupid.

    He pulls Ed to his feet.

    Ed, No one is going to talk to Rita that way.

    Rita is at the bar crying her eyes out. All my

    props are gone, Im finished.

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    Seth comes out of his private office to see the

    mayhem. He knows that this night will cost him

    dearly. He hurries over to the bar.

    Seth asks the bartender, What the hell happened?

    Bartender says, Well, the best I can figure,

    Ritas husband, Ed, got pissed at one of the

    customers and he started fighting with him in the

    front row of tables. Then the guys buddy jumped

    on Ed and they fell ah, backward I think.

    Seth, I get the picture.

    Seth walks down the bar to Rita, What happened

    Rita?

    Rita explains, This guy in the front row of tables

    jumped on Ed and they fell back onto the stage.

    Seth, Collect your dildos and get out.

    Rita, What about my pay?

    Seth, Get out before I make you pay me! Youre

    both banned from here.

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    Ed picks up what is left of the props and walks out

    the door to the parking lot where Rita is waiting,

    posed with hands on hips.

    Ed, I did what any man would do.

    Rita, You have destroyed my dreams.

    Putting the broken props into the minivan, Ed says,

    What was I supposed to do?

    Rita, Let me handle things, its part of the act,

    I had them in the palm of my hand.

    Ricco opens the SUV door for Jesse.

    Ricco, Wow that was fun.

    Jesse, Is uncle Ed OK?

    Ricco, Yeah, hes fine.

    Jesse, He must have a hard head.

    Ricco, If you only knew. Thats why they call him

    Ed Head. He always ends up landing on his head.

    Just ask your Buelo.

    Roberto gets behind the wheel of the SUV.

    Jesse, Why do you call Uncle Ed, Ed Head?

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    Roberto, Jesse, I dont think its time to talk

    about this but, Ed is thick headed. Lets just

    leave it there.

    The next day at Eds store an unmarked government

    car is parked at the front door. IRS Agent Louis

    is standing at the door. Ed drives his van along

    side the white Ford sedan, gets out and walks up to

    Louis.

    Ed, Can I help you?

    Louis, Lets step inside.

    Louis moves his coat to expose a 9mm pistol on his

    hip, Ed opens the door and walks in, Louis follows.

    Ed grabs Louis arm, twists it behind his back and

    pushes him face first onto the floor and then

    handcuffs him before the agent can take his gun

    out. Ed takes his gun. Standing in back of the

    counter Ed asks, So, what can I do for you?

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    Agent Louis, Im an agent of the US Government.

    Un-cuff me or youll be in more shit than you can

    handle.

    Ed, Is that all you have to say for your self? As

    far as Im concerned you came in here and

    threatened me with a gun.

    He reaches down to retrieve a small tape recorder

    and ID from Louis inside coat pocket. Ed, I

    think Ill keep this.

    He walks to the telephone and calls 911.

    Ed, Hi Doris, its Ed, can you send Billy over to

    pick up a criminal I found at the store.

    Louis, Im FBI. I need to call my office.

    Ed, Youll get the customary phone call after

    youre booked at the town jail.

    Sheriff Billy walks in the door with Rita, Roberto,

    Ricco and Jesse. Sheriff Billy, Looks like you

    caught yourself an office worker.

    Ed, Yeah, hes a real nasty one, he threatened me

    with this. Louis, Youre all in deep shit.

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    He hands over the gun to Sheriff Billy. Ed

    continues, I think he soiled his draws. I want to

    file charges. He was standing in the doorway and

    forced me inside after showing me his firearm.

    Ive got it all on audio tape.

    Billy, OK, the judge is going to be pissed. Hes

    gone for the weekend. So, this one will have to

    stay in lock up until Monday morning. He lifts

    Louis off the floor.

    Rita, Ed dont you think this is over the top.

    Ed, No just a little off center.

    Ricco hides his face behind a magazine as Billy

    takes Louis to the patrol car.

    Ed stands in the doorway holding the tape recorder

    and FBI ID, Louis, dont worry, Ill call this

    interview in for you. We dont want any

    misunderstandings back in Phoenix. Roberto, I

    didnt think there was this much action up here.

    Ed, I came here to get away from all this crap.

    Roberto, You must be a crap collector.

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    Ed, Only the finest.

    That night Roberto and Ricco, set up camp in a

    clearing not far from the Eds store. The campfire

    is fueled with Eds seasoned wood. Jesse has been

    fed and put down for the night. Ricco, Roberto and

    Ed are sitting on Indian blankets, huddled around

    the campfire.

    Ricco opens a can of beer. Its been a long time

    since we were all together like this. Roberto, I

    know.

    Ed, Yeah, I have got to admit, Ive missed you

    both.

    Ricco, The last night in Dallas we were over

    served at Lockers Bar.

    Roberto, Some of us did things we now regret,

    right Ed.

    Ricco, Lets not get into that. It was a long

    time ago.

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    Ed, I still have a dent in my head where I hit the

    ground.

    Ricco, You asked for it.

    Ed, I was over the line, I must admit.

    Ricco, Right, you flew over the car and landed on

    your head.

    Roberto, I felt real bad about that for a long

    time.

    Ed, I dont think you could pick me up like that

    now.

    Roberto, Lets just leave it at that Ed.

    Ed, I mean it.

    Ricco, Thats why everyone calls you Ed head.

    Roberto, Its true, you always do things head

    first.

    Ed, Very funny. The next day I went back to the

    spot where you stopped the car. In the daylight

    very thing looked so different. I never did find

    the left lens from my glasses. I developed a tick

    in that eye.

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    Ricco, I was in my mamas kitchen in Ft. Worth

    when I saw you and Rita get married on the Sally

    Jesse Raphael Show.

    Roberto, I wish I had seen that.

    Ed, That was Ritas idea.

    Ricco, Mama said, you looked scared.

    Ed, I was sick from the night before.

    Roberto, You knew this was your last free night,

    right?

    Ed, No, I was too sick to think about that. My

    best man Danny took me to a Sushi Bar around the

    corner form the hotel on 74st.

    Roberto, So you went to a bait shop to eat?

    Ed, Yeah, but it wasnt my idea. Dan was paying,

    so I said what the hell, Ill just eat cooked fish.

    Well, I had a couple of glasses of hot Sake. Danny

    told me, I was marrying my mother. Later, I got

    stomach cramps and was up all night on the

    crapper.

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    At sunrise, Jesse is the first up. He walks to the

    store to get something to eat. Rita is behind the

    counter.

    Rita, Hi Jesse, what are you hungry for?

    Jesse, I like honey buns. Rita, Youve come to

    the right place.

    She turns to a box on the counter and takes out a

    hand full of plastic wrapped Honey buns out.

    Rita, Want me to heat one up?

    Jesse licking his lips, Oh please.

    Rita, Heres coffee for the boys.

    She puts everything in a cut off box top and hands

    it to him.

    Jesse, Thank you, Mrs. Ed.

    Rita, Im your auntie now, sweetheart.

    Jesse, Oh yeah, thats right. Cool.

    Rita, Honey, Im very sorry about what happened to

    your mom and dad. They were good people. Theres

    never a good time to bring it up. I just wanted

    you to know that youre always welcome here.

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    Roberto walks around the store with Jesse shopping

    for supplies for the trip ahead. Ricco, Rita, I

    thought your show was very funny.

    Rita, Sometimes Ed gets mental.

    Ricco, I would have done the same thing.

    Rita, Ive had enough humiliation therapy to last

    me for a while.

    Ricco, What about all the props?

    Rita, Oh well, Ed couldnt keep them working

    anyway.

    Ricco, Cant they be fixed?

    Rita, Forget it, Im going to become a

    cartoonist.

    Ricco, I didnt know you could draw?

    Rita, I cant, Ill take a course at the community

    college.

    Jesse, What kind of cartoons?

    Rita, I have an idea about fat girls living in a

    trailer park.

    Jesse, What do they do there?

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    Rita, Its about girls who are bored with life and

    just want to have fun.

    Roberto knows where this is going, Rita, so youre

    going back to school?

    Ed walks in the front door. Yeah, shes going to

    be an artist.

    Roberto, Great. Were headed out to the Tuzigoot

    Indian ruins in Clarkdale.

    Ed, Thats a full days drive from here.

    Ricco, I know Ive been kicking around these hills

    for some time.

    Roberto, I want to see the dancing spirits.

    Ed, Thats just a story for the tourists.

    Roberto, Thats what we heard.

    Ed with a knowing wink, You might just be

    surprised. Anyway, have a good trip. Dont be

    such strangers. Were always here now.

    Rita, Im usually here. Ed has been hanging with

    the Militia up here.

    Ed, Theyre Arizona Militia.

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    Roberto, Those guys are gun nuts.

    Ed, Most of them are gun collectors. They just go

    to gun shows.

    Rita, They come up here dressed in camouflage,

    drink beer and polish their Pistolas. Theyre

    harmless.

    Ed, Theres a short cut to Tuzigoot ruins. Itll

    save you 2 hours and the view is spectacular.

    Ricco, That sounds great.

    Roberto grabs an Arizona state map and opens it

    onto the counter, So, we are here.

    Ed, When you pull out of the parking lot turn left

    down the first mountain road. Its used by loggers

    and forest rangers, a little rough going, but

    youll be fine.

    Ricco, Thats OK, weve got the SUV.

    Ed, Gas up, theres no place to stop for about 50

    miles.

    Roberto, Where will we come out to black top?

    Ed, Over here. Got it?

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    Roberto, I think so.

    Ed, You cant get lost if you stay on the main

    road. If you get lost call me on the cell phone.

    Ricco, Lets hit the road.

    Roberto, OK, were off like a herd of turtles.

    Ricco pulls the SUV up to the gas pumps and fills

    the tank.

    Ricco Its hard to say goodbye.

    Roberto, Never say goodbye, its bad luck.

    The trip down the mountain starts with some

    hesitation. The road is full of potholes and

    washouts. A bright yellow warning sign reads,

    Logging Road, Authorized Personnel Only! Roberto

    saw the sign too late to turn around, because the

    trees grow up to the edge of the road.

    Its a one-way trip. Roberto puts the SUV into

    4wheel drive. He knows if he pushes in the clutch

    he wont be able to stop. So, he must steer around

    rocks, potholes and let 1st gear keep it from going

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    too fast. Roberto is getting the hang of things

    when Ricco needs to stop to make a deposit.

    Ricco, Please pull over somewhere I so I can leak

    the lizard.

    Roberto, So why didnt you do that before we

    started.

    Jesse to the rescue, I need to stop too.

    Roberto, OK, all this talk and bouncing around is

    making us act like a bunch of girls. Roberto

    waits for a safe place to stop. He pushes in the

    brake and the SUV stalls on the road. He pulls up

    the hand break.

    Roberto, Ricco, get two big rocks and put them

    under the front wheels.

    Jesse, I can help.

    Roberto, No, let Ricco do it. Just get out and

    watch where youre walking. Theres copperheads

    and black bears out here.

    Roberto stands in front of the truck peeing on the

    road and enjoying the mountain view. Ed was right

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    about that, its beautiful. They finish up and get

    in the SUV, but Ricco forgot to remove the rocks

    from in front of the tires. Roberto turns the key

    on and lets the brake off. They dont move. He

    lifts the clutch and the truck leaps over the rocks

    and they take off down the mountain. Jesse pulls

    his seat belt tight.

    Ricco smiling, If I had known it was going to be

    this much fun I would have stayed in Jerome.

    They are winding around the switchbacks when they

    see a GMC hunting truck in the road and must stop.

    Theres no one in the truck.

    Roberto gets out to look around for the owner,

    Hello! Is anybody out here? Theres no answer.

    Ricco get out of the truck and walks over to

    Roberto.

    Ricco, What do you think?

    Roberto, If we wait long enough someone will come

    back for their truck.

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    Ricco, Or, we can push it off the road out of the

    way.

    Roberto, Maybe theyre out there hunting.

    Ricco, Probably, I say lets push it. He walks

    over to the drivers door and tries to open it.

    Ricco, Its locked. Looks like were going to

    have to do this the old fashion way. He walks

    back to the SUV.

    Ricco, Jesse, get me that wire coat hanger from

    the back seat. Jesse hands it to him. Ricco has

    done this hundreds of times, but not for a few

    years. In fact, this is what got him in trouble

    with the law back in Texas when he was a gang

    banger.

    Roberto, What are you doing?

    Ricco, Sometimes you have to use old skills.

    Roberto, What if they come back and youre trying

    to break into their truck?

    Ricco, Remember, Im the fastest gun in the west.

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    Ricco goes to the window and pushes the wire hanger

    down into the door, setting off the burglar alarm.

    Roberto. Oh great!

    Ricco, Im almost there.

    The door pops open, Ricco looks under the dash and

    pulls out a wire stopping the alarm. Ricco, Get

    in the SUV, Ill get this out of the way.

    Roberto hops into the SUV and starts it. Ricco

    puts the truck in neutral and releases the hand

    break. It starts to roll down the road, but

    because the motor isnt running the power steering

    and brakes dont work, so Ricco runs into a tree to

    stop it. The front right light is smashed and the

    fender is bent into the front wheel. Ricco gets

    out and runs back to the truck.

    Roberto stops to pick him up. Ricco, that was as

    bad a job as Ive ever seen.

    Ricco, Well, its been a long time since Ive done

    any automotive work.

    Roberto, So, thats what you call it?

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    Ricco just smiles, Yeah.

    They continue down the road only a lot faster.

    Jesse, Why are we going so fast?

    Roberto, OK, Ill slow down.

    Ricco, Dont worry, theyll think it slipped out

    of gear and rolled off the road. Roberto, What

    about the wire hanger. Where is it?

    Ricco, I cant be 100% sure, but I think its well

    could be in the truck on the seat. Roberto, That

    blows the it just rolled of the road idea.

    Ricco, WellYeah. Roberto, Its coming back to

    me.

    Ricco, Whats that? Roberto, You always come up

    with half baked ideas that get my ass in a crack.

    Ricco, You just have bad luck.

    Roberto, Only when youre around. What about the

    time we went to Mexico with Ralph to find a

    manufacture for those wooden colonic toilet seat

    back splash device.

    Ricco, I never said it was fool proof.

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    Roberto, You said Ralph had the money for gas,

    food and motel.

    Ricco, I didnt know he meant that the girl, Tracy

    was going to pay for the trip. Roberto, She got

    wise and I wound up paying for the entire trip.

    Ricco, Yeah, I know, she went shopping and spent

    all her money so she wouldnt have to pay for

    everything.

    Roberto, Smart girl.

    Jesse, Grandpa theres some guys in a big black

    truck behind us.

    Ricco turns in his seat, Minga, theyre holding

    guns.

    Roberto, Theyre in a hurry, lets get out of the

    way.

    He slows down and pulls off the road. The big

    black GMC passes them, pulls sideways in the road

    and three hunters get out of the cab and walk back

    to their SUV.

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    Roberto gives instructions, Cool it and stay put,

    Im going to get out and talk to these guys.

    He opens the door, gets out and greets the hunters.

    What can I do for yall?

    The Hunter takes a drink from a bottle of Wild

    Turkey and passes it to the biggest guy John, By

    chance did you push my truck out of the road back

    there?

    Roberto, Yeah, I sure did. It was blocking the

    road and there was no one to be found. Hunter,

    OK, then you better have a check book and some

    insurance.

    Roberto, Ive got insurance, but I didnt hit your

    truck. I just pushed it out of the way. Hunter

    points his gun at Robertos head, I dont care if

    you like it or not.

    One of the hunters is a wrestling fan. He realizes

    that they are face to face with El Oso.

    He turns to the other hunters, Yeah, this is El

    Oso the champion wrestler.

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    The hunter John, takes off his hunting jacket,

    Ive always wanted to be in the ring with one of

    these fakers.

    The fan, Man dont mess with him, hes bad.

    Roberto, Wait, Im not going to fight you.

    Hunter, I knew it, they just act the part.

    Ricco gets out of the truck, El Oso is the most

    powerful man to ever get in the ring. You dont

    want to mess with him without a bet.

    Hunter, Exactly what do you mean?

    Roberto, Shut you mouth, Ricco, youve caused

    enough trouble.

    Hunter John, Lets hear it.

    Ricco, First man thrown off the road wins. If you

    win well pay for the truck damage, but if El Oso

    wins we go on our way.

    Hunter John, OK, Im up for it. Lets do it.

    Everyone agrees. Jesse gets out of the truck and

    comes to his grandpas side.

    He walks up to the hunter. Youre not so big.

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    The hunter pushes him down to the ground. Roberto

    rushes to pick him up.

    Ricco, You shouldnt have done that, man. Youve

    pissed him off.

    Roberto, Stay with Ricco.

    Roberto takes off his plaid shirt and throws it on

    the hood of the SUV. Everyone backs away, but

    John.

    John taunting, Lets go grandpa.

    Roberto doesnt say anything, he just moves around

    John several times sizing him up. John takes a

    swing and misses, then another and another, missing

    again he leaps at Roberto and falls to the ground.

    Roberto keeps circling.

    The other hunters says, Get up, or Ill shoot you

    in the ass.

    John gets to his feet, Stop running grandpa.

    Roberto waves him in closer and grabs his arm and

    twists it behind him. He kicks John behind his

    knees and he falls to the ground. Roberto reaches

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    around Johns chest from behind with both arms and

    lifts John to his feet. He leans backwards and

    Johns feet lift off the ground. He squeezes John

    until he passes out.

    Roberto lets him drop to the road like a sack of

    grain. He walks over to the hunters, As I said,

    we just pushed your truck off the road. He takes

    out his wallet and opens it, Whats the damage?

    The hunter, We made a bet and you won. Thats the

    hazards.

    Roberto, We need to push off.

    The hunters struggle to their truck and drive it

    out of the way.

    Ricco, That was a close one, lets get out of here

    before they change their minds.

    Roberto, Thats the last time I listen to Ed.

    Ricco, You still have the magic touch old man.

    Roberto, He had a disadvantage.

    Ricco, Whats that?

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    Roberto, He though all professional wrestlers are

    actors.

    They drive down the mountain road to the highway 87

    and headed West. Roberto and Ricco are talking

    while Jesse reads Harry Potter in the backseat.

    Ricco, When was the last time you talked to

    Caline?

    Roberto, Its been a while. Shes in school in

    Monterrey.

    Ricco, That girl has been in school forever.

    Roberto, I wish I didnt love her so much.

    Ricco, She used you.

    Roberto, I know, you dont have to remind me.

    Ricco, Sorry, you got to remember I was your best

    man.

    Roberto, The first time I met her I knew we were

    soul mates, even though we were years apart. Ill

    always love her.

    They drive in silence for a while.

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    Roberto, He took a gallon of old oil and put a

    electro-magnet in it. We did get a lot of metal

    out of it. But when we tried to take it to Mexico

    to sell the idea, we got busted at the boarder

    crossing at Brownsville.

    Ricco, For what?

    Roberto, Ralph had gotten stopped so many times at

    that crossing his photo was on the watch list.

    They took the sample oil, and that was that.

    Ricco, Lets stop at a rest area and have lunch.

    Jesse, Yeah, Im hungry.

    They drive down the road until they come to a rest

    stop with a view of the red rock mountains. They

    park beside a 20 year old Winnebago, its surface

    is covered with seashells, crucifixes, small

    reproductions of religious paintings and

    rattlesnake heads. The music coming from it is

    accompanied by Hare Krishna chants. The side door

    handle is a pair of vise grip pliers.

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    Back at the picnic area, Greta approaches Ricco as

    he unpacks food for lunch.

    Greta, Hi there, sailor, whats for lunch.

    Ricco, startled at her appearance. Well, you are

    very colorful. Whats your name?

    Greta, I have many names. Gypsy women have been

    known to do this.

    Ricco, So, what is it today?

    Greta, Today you can call me Greta.

    Ricco, Your RV is very unusual too.

    Greta, I prefer to be less obvious, but my husband

    is a Leo. He has a hot glue gun and an eye for the

    eclectic.

    Ricco, So, what are you doing out here?

    Greta, We are always looking for new experiences

    in places that are off the grid.

    Ricco, Ive been off the grid for sometime now.

    Roberto walks to the table carrying wood. He

    comments, What a beautiful day.

    Ricco, Meet Greta, she is a traveler.

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    Roberto, Where do you travel?

    Greta, Henry, my husband is a bit touched in the

    head. When we have used up our welcome we just

    move on.

    Roberto, So, wheres your husband?

    Greta, Hes in the woods gathering pine pitch.

    Roberto is alarmed that Jesse is alone in the woods

    with a mad man, Ill be right back. He quickly

    walks off into the woods calling out to Jesse.

    Jesse is on his way back to the picnic grounds when

    he notices a tall man following him through the

    woods. He is frightened, because the man is trying

    to hide behind trees as he follows him along the

    path, stalking him like a hunter.

    Jesse hears Roberto calling and answers back, Over

    here Grampa. They meet on the path.

    Jesse, I was scared. This man was following me

    along the path.

    Roberto, Where is he?

    Jesse, Out there somewhere, I cant see him now.

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    Roberto, Sorry, I should have stayed with you.

    Jesse smiles, Im OK, now that Im with you.

    Roberto is warmed by the comment and smiles

    lovingly at Jesse. They walk back to the picnic

    table.

    Ricco, Looks like youve got enough wood for an

    all night campfire.

    Greta, Did you see Henry out the woods lurking

    around?

    Jesse, Who is Henry?

    Greta, Its my husband. He likes to wonder in the

    woods and play hide and seek.

    Roberto, He gave Jesse a scare.

    Greta, Oh, hes harmless. Its just that he lost

    his childhood somewhere along the way and is trying

    to recapture it.

    Roberto, He should be more careful.

    Greta, Hes a wrestling fan, Im sure you can make

    an impression on him.

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    She looks across the picnic grounds to see Henry

    standing in the shadows.

    Greta, Henry, come over here and meet El Oso.

    To Roberto she says, He is your biggest fan ever.

    Ricco, You can run, but you cant hide old man.

    Roberto, Thats the price of fame.

    To Ricco, And you stop calling me old man,

    geezer.

    Jesse, Is he sick in the head?

    Greta, Not really, Honey, hes just eccentric.

    Henry slowly walks to the picnic table.

    Roberto, Come on over and have a seat.

    Ricco, Looks like well be having guests for

    lunch.

    Greta, Ive got a full kitchen if we need

    anything.

    Jesse looks at Greta, Do you have any peanut

    butter? Its my favorite.

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    Roberto, Hes a very picky eater. He wont eat

    his cereal in a bowl. He just sits on the floor

    and eats out of the box.

    Jesse, I love frosted flakes and Count Chocula.

    Ricco, Pure granulated sugar, breakfast of

    champions.

    Henry, I like Slim Fast.

    Greta, It plugs him up to the point where I have

    to give him an enema every two or three days.

    Henry, Greta!

    Ricco, My Mama used to give us cod liver oil.

    Roberto, That stuff will give you the squirts.

    Ricco laughs, No shit.

    Jesse, So, does grandpas Jalapeno tortillas when

    he makes them too hot.

    Rain drops begin to fall on the picnic table.

    Greta, Thats enough talk about that end, now

    lets feed the other end. How about having lunch

    in the peace wagon, out of this rain?

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    They gather all the food and picnic supplies, the

    drops of rain become a downpour after they are all

    safe inside the RV. The inside the motor home is

    decorated with anti war posters, bumper stickers

    and literature.

    Jesse looks around, Wow, look at all this stuff.

    My teacher has this poster in class. Greta,

    clears the stove. She asks, How about burgers and

    beans?

    Ricco. Weve got some tortillas, can you heat them

    up?

    Greta, Sure thing.

    Roberto asks, Can I use your bathroom?

    Henry answers, Let me see if Eva is finished with

    her shower.

    Henry taps on the bathroom door, Eva are you done?

    Someone needs to use it. Everyone waits quietly

    for an answer.

    Eva, Im almost done. Ill hurry.

    Henry, We have company for lunch.

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    Eva, OK, Ill be right out.

    She opens the bathroom door and peeks around it to

    see everyone quietly looking at her. Roberto melts

    into his chair at the sight of her. He cant

    believe how beautiful and elegant she is. She is

    wrapped in a terrycloth robe with a white towel

    around her head.

    Greta, This is Eva, she is visiting with us from

    Spain. We met at a anti-Globalization march in

    Italy last year. Shes a sociology graduate

    student.

    Jesse waves hello, How old are you?

    Eva answers with a sultry Spanish accent, 29.

    Ricco, Are you still in school?

    Eva, No, not now. I want to live in America, but

    its hard to get a student visa these days.

    Ricco, If you were to get married to an American

    you could.

    Eva, Yes, I suppose it would be easier.

    Ricco, Just get an old guy like me to marry you.

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    Roberto, Maybe she would like to get dressed.

    Eva, Yes, Ill be right out.

    She gathers some clothes to put on, opens the

    bedroom door and closes it behind her. Greta,

    Roberto, do you still need to use the bathroom?

    Roberto entranced, Oh, yes, as soon as shes

    finished.

    Henry, Eva is traveling with us to visit the

    Native Indian ruins.

    Eva exits the bathroom and goes into the bedroom

    compartment. Roberto goes into the bathroom.

    Ricco, We are going to Tuzigoot Indian ruins in

    Clarkdale.

    Henry, We can caravan. Its better in case the

    bus breaks down.

    Ricco, Im sure we can find the way. I know the

    roads.

    Greta, Its a good idea, Henry is mechanically

    challenged. So if things were to breaking down we

    could be stranded for sometime until we could get

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    from the Tuzigoot Indian ruins into Clarkdale

    help. Roberto comes out of the bathroom.

    Jesse asks, Buelo, can we caravan with them?

    Roberto, I could hear yall through the bathroom

    walls. I dont see why not.

    Ricco looks at the bedroom door, Itll give us

    time to get acquainted.

    Roberto asks Greta, When are you planning to drive

    on?

    Greta, After lunch, OK with you?

    Roberto, Sure.

    Jesse, Can I ride with Greta in the bus?

    Roberto asking Greta, Is that OK with you?

    Greta, Yes. We have 2 way radios and you can talk

    with Jesse as we drive along. Jesse beams,

    Great.

    Ricco, Ill drive the SUV.

    Eva opens the bedroom door.

    Eva, So, well have an escort to Tuzigoot?

    Jesse answers, Yes.

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    Eva, Great! Lets eat, Im hungry.

    She sits down next to Roberto. He notices she has

    sweet smelling wet hair, he knows this is trouble.

    He cant afford to fall for a young woman without

    her feeling the same about him. His instant

    attraction to her is too strong. His thoughts and

    feelings race, as he tries to eat the tortillas he

    made for the trip.

    Eva, These tortillas are the best Ive had. They

    dont taste like this in my country.

    Jesse, Buelo made them, he puts jalapenos in

    them.

    Eva, They taste wonderful. So youre grandpa?

    Roberto, His mama was my oldest.

    Eva, You are in great shape for a Buelo.

    Jesse, Hes a famous wrestler, they call him, El

    Oso.

    Eva, The Bear?

    Greta, Hes a professional wrestler.

    Roberto, Not anymore.

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    Eva, Tell me more.

    Jesse, They call him the Bear, because when he

    squeezes you, you pass out.

    Eva, Ill bet.

    Roberto, Ah, I think thats enough about me.

    He looks out through the steamy windows to see that

    the rain has stopped. A few minutes later theyre

    on the highway toward Clarkdale. Greta is driving

    the bus as Henry and Jesse are sitting at the

    dining table talking. Eva is riding in the window

    seat in the front of the bus reading a book.

    Jesse points at Henrys hat, I like that pin on

    your hat. Can I see it?

    Henry takes off his ball cap, Sure.

    Jesse touching the Army Special Forces pin, What

    is it?

    Henry, Its a Special Forces insignia pin.

    Jesse, Whats Special Forces?

    Greta, Jesse, you opened a can of worms with that

    one. Tell him Henry. Henrys a Vietnam War Hero.

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    Henry, I signed up for the service when I

    graduated high school. The war in Vietnam was in

    high gear in 64. I didnt want to be left at home

    alone while all my friends went of to the Army.

    Jesse, I bet it was fun.

    Henry, I had the time of my life. We went to Fort

    Derrick and then to Country. We didnt know

    anything. We thought it was going to be just like

    hanging out with the guys. The first week it was

    hot and rainy all the time. The boots they gave me

    came apart. So I had my Mom send me some sneakers

    and T shirts in the mail.

    Jesse, What did you do?

    Henry, We would ride around in a chopper all day

    looking for Charlie.

    Jesse, Whos Charlie?

    Henry, Thats what we called the Vietcong.

    Jesse, OH.

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    Henry, We couldnt see them through all the trees.

    So, then the Army started spraying the trees with

    Agent Orange.

    Jesse, Whats that?

    Henry, It a chemical that makes all the leaves

    fall off of the trees. Henry pulls up his pant

    cuff to expose a 6 inch scar on his leg, I got

    this after the leaves fell off the trees and the

    Vietcong could get a clear shot at the choppers.

    The bullets would come up through the floor of the

    chopper. I got one in the leg. Most of the time

    though, you would get one in the butt.

    Jesse looking at the deep scar, That must have

    hurt.

    Henry, Yeah, but its better than getting shot in

    the butt.

    Greta, That Agent Orange stuff is bad shit. See

    if you can get your grandpa on the radio.

    Jesse, OK, great.

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    Jesse picks up the radio and pushes the talk

    button. Grandpa are you there?

    Roberto answers, I hear you clearly. 10-4.

    Jesse, What are you doing.

    Roberto, Just talking to Ricco. Roberto leaves

    the radio open by accident.

    Ricco asks, What do you think of Eva?

    Roberto, I wish I was 20 years younger.

    Ricco, Yeah me too. I think shes fine.

    Roberto, She has a very different way about her

    than American woman.

    Ricco, You got that right?

    Roberto, American woman want to run everything.

    You know they dont really like men. All they want

    is sex and money. Eva isnt spoiled yet.

    Eva, reaches over to the radio and pushes the talk

    button.

    Eva, American woman are spoiled thats for sure.

    But, you guys are living in the dark ages.

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    Roberto lifts the radio from the dashboard and

    turns off the talk button.

    Roberto, OH Crap!

    Greta takes the radio, Come back, we heard it all

    boys.

    Ricco takes the radio, I guess theres no shame

    here.

    Roberto takes the radio, Sorry, Eva.

    Greta, Boys will be boys.

    Later that day, they stop in Clarkdale for gas and

    refreshments. Roberto and Greta are going over the

    area map in the bus while the others are filling

    the gas tanks of the bus and SUV. Roberto points

    at Tuzigoot Indian ruins, Here it is.

    Greta, How far is it?

    Roberto, About 20 minutes follow me, Ricco has

    been there before. He said theres a place there

    to park the bus for the night.

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    About 9:00pm Greta parks the bus into the

    campgrounds. She asks everyone to get an Indian

    blanket and drum, then follow her down a path to

    the ruins of Tuzigoot.

    They walk single file about a mile into the ruins

    and stop in a clearing.

    Greta opens her blanket and places it on the

    ground, she says, We must sit down in a circle

    facing outward to experience and visualize the

    spirits of the Sinagua Indians. Their spirit

    protectors who come in the form of Eagles, Mountain

    Lions and Hawks.

    Roberto, Is it dark enough to see them?

    Greta, Not yet, but it soon will be. We must

    summon them with our drumming.

    She reaches into an Indian pouch and takes out some

    seeds.

    She instructs, Now you will take this seed and

    place it under your tongue. It will help you in

    your meditation.

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    Roberto, Is it safe for Jesse?

    Greta, Its only a distraction for the conscious

    mind. We cant experience the spirits with our

    consciousness mind. We must therefore keep it busy

    with other things. Have you ever looked at the 3D

    art that changes when you move it away from you and

    then you can see a hidden picture in it? Its the

    same idea. Just follow what I do and you will see.

    No talking.

    Everyone takes a seed, placing it under their

    tongues.

    Greta, First we must meditate, hold hands. Relax

    your mind, let it drift away from your body, it is

    free to do so, because we are humans having a

    spiritual experience, or if you like Spirits having

    a human experience. Both are true. We are all

    made of the stuff of the Universe. When the

    universe was created there was a void of

    consciousness. God created everything in his/her

    consciousness. All the things in the universe that

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    we call real are the creation of our God

    consciousness, and because we are conscious, we can

    see and feel the presence of other spirits if we

    choose to. So, open up your mind and watch the

    show.

    She starts drumming, then Roberto, Eva, Ricco,

    Jesse and Henry join in with their drums. The sun

    passes over the horizon and the stars become

    brighter. Translucent lights move across the sky

    as they take form. A hawk flies across the old

    Indian Village. It catches the wind and other

    hawks join it in a circular pattern. A mountain

    lion walks into the clearing and sits in front of

    Jesse. A deer steps into the circle. The village

    comes to life with Indians. It appears as it once

    did over 2,000 years ago with women sitting around

    a campfire making baskets and talking, the men

    sharing a pipe. They are talking about the need to

    dance for rain needed to grow the corn. They

    collect around a campfire and drum with exactly the

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    same rhythm as Greta and the others. Its starts

    to rain with thunder and lightning all around them.

    Lightning simultaneously strikes into the sand in

    front of each one of them. Then suddenly, it is

    all over. Greta and the rest are covered with tiny

    black droplets of black glass.

    Roberto looks around to see if Jesse is OK.

    Jesse stands up and says, I saw my momma and

    daddy, they said they were OK. They said they were

    my guardian angels now and that they are with me

    all the time.

    Jesse leaping and dancing about, They told me so,

    they told me so! Im so happy! They said they

    have been with me always and they will guide me.

    Yahoo! And, if I want to speak to them all I have

    to do is sit quietly and listen, and they will be

    there. Did you see them? Did you see them?

    Eva, What you saw and heard was for you and you

    alone. This is a healing place and each one of us

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    experienced something completely different. It was

    our soul that these spirits are meant for.

    Roberto, Why cant we do this on our own?

    Greta, Our dreams are our spirit consciousness.

    We just need to learn how to remember, thats all.

    Eva, We have forgotten how, so we need help to

    remember. The Sinagua simply vanished centuries

    ago.

    Ricco, Were they killed off by the Hopi?

    Eva, Some believe they inner married and were

    assimilated.

    Henry, They were farmers in this river valley for

    thousands of years. There was a long drought.

    Without water things could have taken a turn for

    the worst.

    Roberto, In my vision there was a drought and the

    Sinagua were trapped. They killed all the children

    and took all their women to a safe place in the

    western mountains where there was plenty of water

    and game.

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    Jesse shocked, Why did they kill their children?

    Eva, It was better than seeing them waste away and

    die of starvation. They had to conserve their food

    and energy. They knew that if the women could

    survive they would have other children when the

    conditions were better.

    Ricco, Didnt they believed that they were spirits

    and could change form?

    Greta, They could. They became birds and flew

    away.

    Eva, Yeah, we are always in need of survival

    strategies, right?

    Jesse looks up into heavens, In my dreams, I know

    that if I believe that I can fly, I can really

    fly.

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