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Posts: 701
Join Date: Oct 2008
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JOHNNY REB IN 'SHADOW' Part 2
Character by Tim Frady Story by Wayne Clayton
The road leading into Shadow was flanked by a series of low level houses, each fronted with the customery plain wooden rocking chair which stood proudly on the porch no matter what the weather. The closer he got to the center of town the closer the buildings became. But even so Shadow was a small town which served a scattering of farm steads which ranged from the flat of the vally to the foot hills of the Smoky Mountains. Barely 200 people called Shadow home and with many of the young men still conscripted the towns population was now made up mostly of old men,children and women folk.
Main Street was just that. All of Shadow life revolved around the buildings on it. From Jays General Store to Jessops Gas station and it's one solitary hand pump crowned with an Indian figure head. The world might of entered into the new age but no-one had told Shadow that yet. But even so this Shadow was all new to Johnny Reb. The Shadow he remembered was focused on the the old church which still stood at the end of the street. It's wooden panels still shone bright white against the tree line which began its rise into the mountains. The town may of grown but each rise and fall of the land looked familar to him still.
As he walk up Main Street he saw the towns Sheriff leaning down in conversation with a man at the far end of the stores porch, as Johnny made his way into the store neither man seemed to notice him till the bell chimed as he entered the door. The Sheriff glanced up briefly and gave Johnny a cold steady look before continuing his conversation.
Inside Johnny found the room filled with groaning shelves. Everything from shoe polish to shotgun shells were lined up side by side. Only the counter was spared, and that was guarded by two stuffed animals on either side. Just what animals they once were was hard to say, both were stood on their hind legs their needle teeth bared for all to see and on their front paws were two sets of red leather boxing gloves. And between them stood Jay the shop keeper, looking only slightly less stuffed.
"And what can I do for you today Sir?" Said Jay wiping his hands on the flap of his apron.
"I've just got into town and was wondering where I can find some bed and board?"
Jay looked Johnny up and down no doubt pondering the wealth of the man.
"Well there's Norris he's just a couple of doors down, he's got rooms spare so I hear. His boy didn't make it back. Are you a fighting man?"
Johnny paused before answering.
"I just got out."
Jay once more eyed Johnny before calling out to the back of the store.
"Boy..boy..get in here"
Moments later a small boy appeared, his hair shaved close G.I. style.
"Go find Norris and ask if that rooms still spare..and be quick about it"
As quickly as he came the boy vanished out of the front door almost knocking over a jovial looking woman entering the store.
"My My my..someones in a hurry" she smiled as she side stepped the boy.
"Well hello Mrs Martin and how are you this fine day?" Jays face suddenly becoming more radiant as the prospect of a sale entered the door.
"Oh fine as can be Mr Jay"
"How's that boy of yours? Still in the Navy? "
"Lord knows, I'll be glad to see him back on solid ground, I think all that sea air has unsettled the boy he doesn't seem to know where he is from one moment to the next "
Just then the boy returned his face red with running.
"Mr Norris says rooms still free"
Jay turned to Johnny and signalled to the boy to grab the Kit bag which leaned against the counter.
"Boy take the gentlemen to Norris and get back here sharp Y'hear"
Johnny nodded his thanks to the shopkeeper and bowed to the woman as he left.
Once outside Johnny suddenly found himself staring into the face of a thin tired looking white haired old man. A few paces away the towns Sheriff was watching with the cold hard stare that he had greeted him with earlier. Only this time there was more than a hint of suspicion in his gaze as he waited to see what would happen next.
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hint what hint?
