Upon Us, The Quantum Argonauts: Part I

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish now to re-begin the series from the start. My previous ideas for the series were located in the text of the post but I've decided to re-written the two-part opener and begin a new way of doing the series.

The following is the brand-new opener of the series, titled, "Upon Us, The Quantum Argonauts". This is just the new part one. Part two will be re-posted as soon as it's revised.

I felt it bad that my series began on a note I have since discarded but this has taught me about the inner workings of writing.

I now re-begin what I call "A TV show without the TV".

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It's a quiet Sunday in the town of Hyperion, Michigan as the citizenery all put their heads on their pillows as the week concludes on a quiet note. This is a scene that plays every night in Hyperion.
However, this night, a young woman is walking the streets alone, as she makes her way home after a small party, which dot the social scene in the town. As she walks, she whistles an old tune, to keep her mind sane in the darkness.
Meanwhile, in that darkness, a figure moves slowly and greatly through it, his footsteps unheard as the yound woman continues her walk down the street. The October air is covered by a low chill, hinting at the seasonal change to come.
The dark figure moves his way slowly closer and closer to her as she continues to walk and whistle. A footstep soon flies into the young woman's ear, causing her to stop for a second and look around. She sees no sign of the dark figure and keeps moving on down the street.
The dark figure moves closer and closer until he is almost upon her. He then, with ruthless zest, pounces on the young woman and forces himself upon her, grunting as he does his terrible task. After a few minutes, he lets up and runs back into the darkness, leaving his victim helpless on the sidewalk.
As Monday morning rises on the small town of Hyperion, the action shifts to the building occupied by the radio station WHYP 102.3 FM.
Inside the station's white-walled green room, one of the many radio hosts, Cyrus Scott is reading a magazine. His dress is very interesting. In one way, he is dressed in formal casual, as he calls it, in a blue jacket, large red ascot, and blue pants. In another way, it is very unusual. The jacket and pants are blue demin. The jacket has four pockets in the front and two inner pockets. The undershirt is a white button shirt.
His hair, covered by a worn cowboy hat, is a reddish-brown tint, the same as his mother, and his face is partly unshaven. Attached to the hat and jacket are colonel's eagles, inherited from his namesake.
"I wonder who's gonna my mother's character in this Welcome Back, Kotter movie? Maybe Lindsay Lohan?" says Cyrus, or 'Cy', as he likes to be called, to himself.
He is then interupted by a knock at the door. He looks to the door and spots one of Hyperion's finest, Officer Grace Baker.
"Well, if it isn't Officer Grace, our friendly neighborhood police officer." says Cy as he puts down the magazine.
"Hello, Cy." says Officer Grace as she enters the room.
"What brings you around here? No one here committed a crime, did they?" asks Cy.
"Nothing of the sort. Listen, I wanna let you know first that I spent a lot of time discussing this with Chief McIntyre because I trust you to break the news to the town at large." says Officer Grace.
"Officer Grace, please spit out whatever information you wish to pass on to me." says Cy.
"Okay, there's been a rape." says Officer Grace.
"Where?" asks Cy.
"Here." says Officer Grace.
"Where here?" asks Cy.
"In Hyperion, last night." says Officer Grace.
"You're kidding?" asks Cy.
"I'm not, Cy. There was a rape and rather than release it to the papers, I talked Chief McIntyre into having the news revealed on your show." says Officer Grace.
"Let me get this straight, a rape has occurred in Hyperion?" says Cy.
"I know it's hard to believe for you, but I have the details written down here." says Officer Grace as she hands over a notepad.
Cy reads the notepad for a few moments before speaking, "It sounds like a rape to me. I'll give it to Conrad to read." says Cy.
"Thanks, Cy. I know I can count on you." says Officer Grace, looking toward the door.
"Phil is in the control room, watching over Barry and Terry." says Cy.
"I guess so. He is the station's only intern." says Officer Grace.
"And doing so well." says Cy.
"See ya later, Cy." says Officer Grace, who then makes her leave.
"What a day, and it's only just started." says Cy.
"Hello, Cy." says Conrad Harris, one of the other radio show hosts and Cy's best friend.
He's all dressed up in his wool vest, with Cliff Huxatable-type colors and shapes printed on it, with straight black tie and white button shirt. His hair is a light blonde, cut into a mod-type style and stranded.
"Good morning, Conrad." says Cy, still reading the notepad.
"What are you reading?" asks Conrad.
"A notepad with information given to me by Officer Grace." says Cy.
"Yeah, I saw her leave the room as I came in. What did she want?" says Conrad.
"This notepad tells of a rape that occurred last night." says Cy.
"You're kidding?" asks Conrad.
"The same thing I said to Officer Grace, and it's the truth." says Cy.
"Let me see that." says Conrad to Cy, who then hands over the notepad.
"I can't believe what it says." says Cy.
"Me, neither. How shall we break this news?" says Conrad.
"I think we should tell the news at the beginning of the show. That way, we can spend a lot of time going over it." says Cy.
"I thought my father had moved us back to Hyperion to get away from this." says Conrad.
"Me, too." says Cy.
"You moved here for a different reason. You needed a place to go after your mother died." says Conrad.
"Don't remind me. I've always had a little resentment for New York City, where I spent 15 years of my life." says Cy.
"You'll get over it." says Conrad.
"Come on now, we've got a show to do." says Cy, who then makes his leave along with Conrad.
Meanwhile, in the booth of the radio studio, is 21-year-old station intern Phil Turner, dressed in a blue shirt and pants, one of the station's many interns.
"Almost time." says Phil to the engineer at his soundboard.
"Yes, but no sign of both." says the engineer.
"They're in the green room." says Phil.
"Then why are you here?" asks the engineer.
"So I can keep an eye on the clock and these two." says Phil.
"They're not going anywhere." says the engineer.
"I can see that." says Phil.
Just then, Cy and Conrad walk into the control room.
"Hello, Conrad." says Phil.
"Good morning, Phil." says Conrad.
"Same here, Phil." says Cy.
"Monday morning. What a day." says Phil.
"It's only morning." says Conrad.
"What's that?" asks Phil, pointing to the notepad.
"This is interesting news, my friend." says Cy.
"Where did you get it from?" asks Phil.
"From Officer Grace." says Cy.
"Officer Grace?" says Phil with a slight blush on his face.
"That's right. Your favorite crush." says Cy.
"It's not like that at all." says Phil.
"Then why do you sound so nervous right now?" asks Cy.
"Get off me, Cy." says Phil.
"This is WHYP, the voice of Hyperion. It's about 9:00 am here and we're about to hand over the mike to the the Cy & Conrad Show, so stay tuned to this station!" says Barry, one half of the duo Barry & Terry, the hosts of the WHYP Morning Show.
"Time to go in." says Cy.
"Steady." says Conrad.
Cy and Conrad then rush into the studio, passing Barry and Terry as they do. Cy emits a low hiss as they pass. Cy and Conrad then take their positions at the mikes as they begin their show. As the opening theme for their show ends, Cy speaks into the mike with gusto.
"Welcome to the WHYP Mid-Morning Show, starring yours truly, Cy Scott and his sidekick, Conrad Harris. As today's program begins, it's a beautiful Monday morning." says Cy in his radio announcer's voice.
"Yes, I believe today is Monday, which means we have twice the work to do." says Conrad.
"Don't say twice the work to our listeners." says Cy.
"Oh, right." says Conrad.
"And we begin our day by observing Columbus Day. I can't believe we still celebrate a man whose greatest thing was getting lost." says Cy.
"I wouldn't say he was lost." says Conrad.
"Well, he wanted to find a new route to Asia and died believing he had done so. Even when he died, people knew that the lands he found were the new world." says Cy.
"I can't argue with you there." says Conrad.
"And now, folks, I wish now to impart some information that has just arrived in my hand via the Hyperion Police Department." says Cy.
"Do tell what it is." says Conrad.
"The news is that a rape has occurred in Hyperion last night, at about 8:12 pm." says Cy.
"Shocking." says Conrad.
"Yes, it is. The victim is 21-year-old Elizabeth Shaw... " says Cy as his voice trails off.
"Liz Shaw?" says Conrad.
"Yes. I guess that name is possible outside the world of fiction." says Cy.
"Any more details besides the name?" asks Conrad.
"Just what I said before. Since the victim, in typical fashion, was attacked from behind, no look at him was obtained." says Cy.
"That's the usual M.O." says Conrad.
"Cy Scott, Community Bulletin Board." remarks Phil.
"You know, I feel that crime around here is an oxymoron. I mean, we're not one of those big cities." says Cy.
"I feel like it at times." remarks the police chief.
Officer Grace arrives back at the police station, Cy and Conrad still talking.
"Those two should stop once in a while." says Officer Grace.
"Remember, those two are against Barry & Terry." says Polly McIntyre, the 22-year-old niece of the police chief, with blackish-brown hair, piled on her head and wearing a mini-skirted dress with a scarf around the middle, with another one around her neck.
. "I know." says Officer Grace as she enters the police station and spots police chief Dave McIntyre, talking to Mr. Shaw, the rape victim's father.
"Officer Baker." says Chief McIntyre to Officer Grace.
"What help have you now?" asks Mr. Shaw.
"Nothing for you now." says Officer Grace.
"I see you've informed the public, like those two are any help.
"Well, I hope many of you are enjoying this Monday morning, including the man who happened to name his daughter Elizabeth Shaw." says Cy on the radio.
"He thinks he can make fun of me." says Mr. Shaw.
"Leave him alone." says Chief McIntyre.
"Okay, just see that you get my daughter's virtue back." says Mr. Shaw.
"That's not our department, Mr. Shaw." says Chief McIntyre.
"Are you sure of that, Chief?" asks Officer Grace.
"Knock it off, Officer Baker." says Chief McIntyre.
"I tell you, my daughter has been violated." says Mr. Shaw.
"We're working on it." says Chief McIntyre as he takes a sip of his coffee.
"And now, for some of you workaholics, here's a Rick Moranis song called 'Nine More Gallons'." says Cy on the radio as he plays the song.
"He certainly knows his music." says Officer Grace.
"He spents his time looking up interesting songs. He's found some gems and he plays them." says Polly.
"I want justice for my daughter!" says Mr. Shaw.
"Calm down, Mr. Shaw." says Chief McIntyre.
"If you're not gonna do your job, I'll do it for you." says Mr. Shaw.
"I don't approve of vigilante justice, especially for stupid reasons like that." says Chief McIntyre.
"I'll show you stupid." says Mr. Shaw, who then storms out of the police station.
"I don't like that tone, if you know what I mean." says Officer Grace.
"Me, neither." says Polly.
The day soon moves into the night and darkness falls back onto Hyperion. Across town, a woman is also putting to bed. She's a woman, about 40, thought she would never admit it. As she readies for bed, she thinks she hears a noise outside. She brushes it off and walks to her bed.
Little does she know but a pair of eyes are staring at her throught the window of the bedroom. She lays down on the bed with thoughts of her life the next morning, working away in some office, waiting for Mr. Right to come. She turns off the light and dozes her way into dreamland.
Outside, the pair of eyes moves away from the window and towards her backdoor. The pair of eyes belong to a man, his face is covered with a mask, to prevent identification. As he inches to the door, he makes nary a sound.
He soon reaches the door and looks under the mat and discovers the woman's back-door key. He places the key into the doorknob and opens it but only two inches before being stopped by the door chain, keeping the door closed.
Unfazed, the man places his hand over the door chain and feels around his pocket. He soon locates a tiny, hand-made saw. The blade is long enough to reach through the door. He places the saw around the door chain on his saw and saws through the wood around the door chain.
With a little effort, he manages to separate the door chain from the door. He soon pushes the door open all the way. He rushes into the kitchen and scans the area.
He then rushes into the living room and makes another scan. Secure, he makes his way up a flight of stairs to the second floor. Scaning, he spies the bedroom, closed. He soon makes his way to the bedroom door and slowly opens it.
The creeky door moves the woman from her sleep and she opens her eyes. As she slowly moves her head up, she feels something pile on top of her. The man then forces himself on her, like his last victim. When he's finishes, he moves quickly away, leaving the victim to wallow.
The night continues onwards until the morning sun arrives, beginning another Tuesday for everyone in Hyperion.
For Phil, his morning routine goes smoothly and he soon arrives at the radio station ahead of Cy and Conrad. Just in time to see Barry & Terry regale the town for their two-hour morning show. As Phil looks on, he feels something a little off about his surroundings. As he watches the drivetime duo at work, he hears the control room door open and it is Cy.
"Morning, Phil. Have a good night sleep?" says Cy, holding a small cup of coffee. "I did, and you?" says Phil.
"The same. I feel the Tuesday morning blues, man. I'm one of those people who have it out for Tuesday as a day of the week. My mother died on a Tuesday, so I have a little more reason to hate it." says Cy.
"I hear ya." says Phil.
"Besides, Tuesday is the day the station does its series about law enforcement, which features Officer Grace in a starrring role." says Cy.
"That's right. Who's the host this week?" says Phil.
"Believe it or not, I checked the schedule and it's my turn." says Cy.
"Another guest host." says Phil.
"Hard to believe the old host decided to go to law school and become a lawyer in Chicago." says Cy.
Just then, Conrad comes in, with an interesting look on his face.
"Conrad, how are you this morning?" asks Cy.
"I'm fine, but I just had an interesting encounter when I got in." says Conrad. "What or who with?" asks Cy.
"Someone, said he knows Phil here." says Conrad.
"Well, did he give you a name?" asks Cy.
"He did. He said his name was Thomas." says Conrad.
"Thomas? Did you know anyone named Thomas?" says Cy.
"Well, I think a few." says Phil.
"He said that his last name was Cinder." says Conrad.
"Thomas Cinder." says Phil.
"Oh, no, he's back." says Phil.
"What are you talking about?" asks Conrad.
"Thomas Cinder was my bully in elementary school." says Phil.
"That's interesting." says Cy.
"I wonder what he wants with me." says Phil.
"Maybe he wants all the lunch money you owe him." says Cy.
"Where is he now?" asks Phil.
"He's in the green room." says Conrad.
"I'll go talk to him." says Phil.
"Meanwhile, me and Conrad will talk to the citizens of Hyperion." says Cy.
Phil leaves the control room, wondering why his old bully wants to see him. As Barry & Terry sign off for another day, Phil makes his way down the hallway to the green room.
As Phil enters, he sees a man sitting in one of the green chairs, with a confused look upon his face. He is dressed in a brown jacket. Underneath it is a blue button shirt, with the jacket hiding the prison number printed on it.
"Thomas?" says Phil.
The man looks up and spots Phil.
"Phil, nice to see you." says Thomas.
"I wish I could say the same." says Phil.
"I see." says Thomas.
"How did you find me here?" asks Phil as he walks to a chair across from Thomas.
"I asked an old friend of mine where you were and he told me that you worked here." says Thomas.
"I see. What is it that you needed to see me about?" says Phil.
"Well, I just got out of prison, you know, and I decided to come back here." says Thomas.
"I knew that you would go to prison." says Phil.
"I had that coming. When I was young, I did many a bad thing, including bullying you." says Thomas.
"Well, I grew up nicely." says Phil.
"Good. Now, when I got here, I tried to start a new life." says Thomas.
"That's helpful." says Phil.
"And I wish to start by making you one of my friends." says Thomas.
"No way, Thomas." says Phil.
"Come on, give me a chance." says Thomas.
"In what way?" asks Phil.
"Please, I'm beggin' ya." says Thomas.
"Forget it." says Phil.
"Well, I hope you could help me." says Thomas.
"Me, help you? You're bonkers." says Phil.
"I know, but I can't help it. I need to figure out things." says Thomas.
"Well, my memories of the past say I shouldn't help you." says Phil.
"You almost did, once." says Thomas.
"I remember, and I turned you down." says Phil.
"Yes, I know that, but I was hoping that you would accept this offer." says Thomas.
"You are definitely losing your mind." says Phil.
"I think I am." says Thomas as he gets up from his chair.
"Listen, I wish I could help." says Phil as he gets up.
"I wish you could, too." says Thomas as he and Phil walk to the door.
"Well, I guess I have no more to say." says Phil as they exit the green room.
"I guess so. See ya." says Thomas as he walks away, down the hallway, towards the front door.
Phil walks back to the control room and watches the rest of Cy and Conrad's show. When the show is over, Phil walks back to the green room with Cy.
"So, how did your talk with Thomas go?" asks Cy.
"Oh, it went... well." says Phil.
"Come on, Phil. Tell me, what did he want?" says Cy.
"He wanted me to help him." says Phil.
"Help him with what?" asks Cy.
"He wanted me to help him start a new life." says Phil.
"What's wrong with that?" asks Cy.
"How can I have feelings of friendship between us when there isn't any?" says Phil.
"Are you sure you two weren't friends?" queries Cy.
"I'm sure. I remember no memory of me and Thomas being friends." says Phil. "Did he say anything else?" asks Cy.
"Nothing, just that he wished us to be friends now." says Phil.
"Well, most ex-cons have a hard time staying out of trouble." says Cy.
"I guess it was the workings of a tortured mind." says Phil.
"I guess so." says Cy.
"Well, I guess I better help you get ready." says Phil.
"Good, I got a book here that will help us." says Cy.
"Law for Dummies?" says Phil.
"It was the only book I could get at the library that I can understand." says Cy. "It's just like you to do that." says Phil.
"Can it, Phil. I'm trying to handle this. I didn't ask for it." says Cy.
"Well, maybe Mr. Gold will actually hire someone else to do the show." says Phil. "I know Mr. Gold and as long as he can use his still-on-the-payroll employees, he'll never go to the trouble of hiring someone." says Cy.
"If you say so." says Phil.
"Now, let's get to work reading this and figuring out what I will say to our panel." says Cy.
"Let's do that." says Phil.
That evening, at 8:00 pm, Cy takes the mike in the studio, where sits three people across from him, including Officer Grace. Phil looks on from the control room.
Cy speaks into the mike in his radio voice, "And now, it's eight o'clock here on WHYP on Tuesday. So, that means it's time for our Tuesday night series on the world of the law, the WHYP Law School. As always, we have our panel of law experts, each from different levels of law enforcement. We have Judge Gus Sheperd, our lawyer Mike Armstrong, and police officer Grace Baker of the Hyperion Police Department. I'm your guest host this week, Cy Scott. Now, I have a batch of questions here for you, and we'll have some phone calls coming in during the show."
"He's gettting it." says the engineer.
"I think we learned enough." says Phil.
"Now, let's get to our first question, and it's a listener question. 'If you set your house on fire, would that be considered arson?'." says Cy.
Officer Grace answers first and as she tells the radio audience that it would depend on how the fire was started, Phil just looks at her. The lawyer and the judge concur and Cy moves on to a phone question.
"I have a question for the police officer." says the man on the phone.
"Go on." says Officer Grace.
"Well, let's say someone rapes your daughter and the police do nothing to help you, is that against the law?" says the man on the phone, who Phil and Officer Grace figure out is Mr. Shaw.
"Mr. Shaw, I told you, we can't do anything right now." says Officer Grace. "How did you know it was me?" asks Mr. Shaw.
"Your voice was familiar." says Officer Grace.
"Mr. Shaw, if you don't have a real question... " says Cy.
"That was a real question and I would like an answer." says Mr. Shaw.
"Please answer so we can get rid of him." whispers Cy to Officer Grace.
Officer Grace proceeds to answer Mr. Shaw's question,
"Mr. Shaw, if there is enough evidence to suggest the identity of the man who raped your daughter, he will be arrested."
"I hope that answers your question, Mr. Shaw." says Cy as he cuts off the call, as so he can spare the listening audience any further comments from Mr. Shaw.
"What a nutcase." says the engineer to Phil.
"I know it." says Phil.
"Before I go any further again, I must inform our audience of the second rape reported today, which the investigation is at the same level as the first one." says Cy.
Phil watches the rest of the show as Cy shows off his new knowledge of the law.
When the show ends, Cy signs off and the panel members get out of their chairs and head for the door, except Officer Grace, who walks over to Cy. Phil looks on and sees Officer Grace whisper something in Cy's ear.
Phil can't tell anything due to the soundproof nature of the control room. Officer Grace then backs away and Cy gets up from his chair. Cy then walks into the control room, followed by Officer Grace.
"Phil, I believe Officer Grace would like to talk to you." says Cy.
"Okay." gulps Phil as Officer Grace walks over.
"Take your time." says Cy as he walks to a corner of the room.
"I'll leave now." says the engineer as he switches to some NPR feed for the night and leave the control room.
"Well, what do you want?" asks Phil.
"Well, Cy has told me that you may have a crush on me." says Officer Grace.
Phil looks over at Cy, who gives a little wave.
"Well, maybe a little crush but I would never go too far." says Phil.
"Because of our ages?" queries Officer Grace.
"No, I mean, you're... 32 and I'm... 21 and that's no reason." says Phil in his best babble.
"Don't let that get in the way because I've been having some feelings for you, too." says Officer Grace.
Phil nearly loses it.
"You... have feelings... for me?" says Phil.
"A little, ever since I first saw you." says Officer Grace.
"The feeling is mutual." says Cy.
"Anyway, I was wondering if you would like to go out with me this Friday, if it's all right with you." says Officer Grace.
Phil stands there for a minute as he ponders Officer Grace's offer.
Finally, Phil answers, "Yes."
Officer Grace gives Phil a hug and says, "See ya Friday."
Cy watches Officer Grace leave the room and then, walks over to Phil.
"Well, Phil, you got a date." says Cy.
"Yeah, with Officer Grace." says Phil.
The next morning, Conrad is reading the newspaper in the green room as Cy enters the room, giving himself a fanfare as he does.
"Good morning, Conrad." says Cy.
"Good morning, Cy. How was your show last night?" says Conrad.
"It was wonderful. I think I impressed the panel with my new knowledge of the law. Maybe I can lobby Mr. Gold to give me the hosting job." says Cy.
"Don't press your luck, Cy." says Conrad.
"Say, where's Phil?" asks Cy.
"He hasn't arrived yet." says Conrad.
"A little late today. I thought he had kicked that habit." says Cy.
"Well, I guess what happened yesterday has his brain in two places at once." says Conrad.
"That'll keep you from getting out of bed." says Cy.
"So will this. Two more rapes happened last night." says Conrad.
"More news to give Hyperion." says Cy.
"Always on the ball." says Conrad.
"Even with a hangover." says Cy.
"Morning, guys." says Phil as he enters the room.
"You're a little late this morning. I take it something's on your mind." says Cy.
"The return of Thomas is what's on my mind." says Phil.
"What about him?" asks Cy.
"I'm starting to think my former bully's the rapist." says Phil.
"You're kidding?" asks Cy.
"I'm telling you, it was my former bully Thomas Cinder." says Phil.
"Why would think that Thomas is the rapist?" asks Conrad.
"Because he has history." says Phil.
"What kind of history, Phil?" asks Cy.
"I've already told you." says Phil.
"His history with you doesn't count at all." says Conrad.
"Just in case, could he be locked him up?" asks Phil.
"Until he commits a crime, he stays outside." says Cy.
"But he has no place to go. He has no family." says Phil.
"That's true, but no reason to trouble him further. He's just out of prison. Let us not do something that will lead him back there." says Cy.
"You actually think he can be helped?" says Phil.
"My mother taught me that all people are the same and deserve the same." says Cy.
"While I argee with that, I don't think it should apply to Thomas." says Phil.
"Give him a chance, Phil. He might have the makings of a great human being." says Cy.
"So says the son of Debralee Scott." says Phil.
"Keep my mother out of this." says Cy.
"Good morning, guys." says Officer Grace as she enters the room with two slips of paper in her hand.
"Right back 'atcha, Officer Grace. What brings you here today, besides to see Phil?" says Cy.
"Well, my visit has only half to do with Phil." says Officer Grace, who then flashes a lovelorn look to Phil, who smiles at it.
"What's the other half?" asks Cy.
"These." says Officer Grace as she hands the slips of paper to Cy and Conrad.
"'You have officially been drafted into the Mutual Association for a Safe Hyperion's rapist hunt squad by order of our grand leader, Mr. Shaw?'." reads Cy.
"You mean, that Mr. Shaw has formed a group?" asks Conrad.
"Yes, and because you two made fun of his daughter, you get to join his efforts to find the Hyperion Rapist." says Officer Grace.
"He's got a name now?" says Cy.
"Four victims give him the ability." says Officer Grace.
"Well, Cy, we've been drafted." says Conrad.
"Into MASH, hopefully not the 4077." says Cy.
The night brings a chill to the air, which is normal for the early fall. In one part of town walks Thomas Cinder. Thomas walks alone, looking at his old house, now an empty shell.
As he stares, he thinks about how his life was and the way it is now. He also feels something's wrong, like the house isn't empty. He feels people inside, even if the windows are dark and there's no sign of life, he feels it.
He just checks it to his mind and decides to go up to the house. As he walks, he wonders what is inside. He finally reaches the door and opens it. Inside, it's devoid of anything, just the way it was left when Thomas went off to prison.
Thomas decides to sleep on the floor, hoping his memories will keep him warm. He lays down next to the door and lulls himself to sleep, with his dream of his childhood keeping him company.
His dream is anything but happy. In the dark, he sees the outline of his father, beer can in hand, looking at him. He opens his eyes and sees the sight.
"Hello, son." growls Mr. Cinder in a souther accent.
"Hello, dad." says Thomas.
"I see you're back." says Mr. Cinder as he takes a sip of beer.
"I know. I just got out of prison." says Thomas.
"So I hear." says Mr. Cinder.
"I blame myself for going there." says Thomas.
"It's all your fault, son." says Mr. Cinder as he takes another sip of beer.
"No, it's not. It's your fault." says Thomas.
"Watch it, son." says Mr. Cinder.
"I mean it, the way you raised me... " says Thomas.
"I told you to watch it." says Mr. Cinder, stepping closer to Thomas.
"I can't believe how you raised me." says Thomas as he gets off the floor.
"Keep your mouth shut, boy." says Mr. Cinder.
"When you died, I didn't shed a single tear." says Thomas.
"That's it, boy. You're gonna get it now." says Mr. Cinder, making a move towards Thomas.
Thomas then moves out of his dream, starts running, and bursts through the door and runs from the house, scared that his father will follow him. He runs down the street and into a collection of trash cans. His collision alerts a cop car, which comes by the cans.
"Guys, my dead father trying to kill me." he spews out.
"A hobo?" says the driving officer.
"Most likely." says the passenger officer.
Together, the two drag Thomas into their car and drive away, with Thomas shouting, "I hate you, dad!" over and over. Elsewhere, Cy and Conrad, both carrying guns, are riding around with Mr. Shaw.
"Is there any point to us being your little army?" asks Cy.
"Maybe now you'll think twice before you belittle rape victims, especially my daughter." says Mr. Shaw.
"Maybe you should carefully on how you name your children." says Cy.
"Oh, yeah. How well did your mother name you?" says Mr. Shaw.
"My mother and my father took a turn. My mother wanted to name me after McLean Stevenson and my father wanted to name me after a famous war hero where he grew up." says Cy.
"I guess they split the difference, did they?" asks Mr. Shaw.
"My mother knew McLean Stevenson. He made her laugh a lot." says Cy.
"Who exactly is your mother?" asks Mr. Shaw.
"The late Debralee Scott, world-famous television and film actress." says Cy.
"She wasn't that famous, Cy." says Conrad.
"He's right. I haven't heard of her." says Mr. Shaw.
"Ever heard of Welcome Back, Kotter?" asks Cy.
"I used to watch it a lot." says Mr. Shaw.
"My mother was Hotsie Totsie." says Cy.
"Are you kidding?" asks Mr. Shaw.
"No, I'm not. She was the woman all the sweathogs talked about, until she got them to stop." says Cy.
"Cy's very proud of that." says Mr. Shaw.
"How does a guy like you end up at a Michigan radio station?" asks Mr. Shaw.
"Well, Conrad here was born in Hyperion and his father moved the family to New York City around 1990. We became friends from the first meet." says Cy.
"That's true." says Conrad.
"However, after the twin towers, Conrad's father moved them back here. I stayed with my mother until her untimely passing." says Cy.
"I'm sorry for your loss." says Mr. Shaw.
"Well, when Conrad heard about it, he invited me to live in Hyperion, so I did." says Cy.
"What a life story. I guess I misjudged you, boy." says Mr. Shaw.
"A lot of people do until they hear who my mother is." says Cy.
"Excuse me for a minute, but how long are we to search?" asks Conrad.
"Until early morning." says Mr. Shaw.
"That gives me enough time to tell you a few stories." says Cy.
"Do go on." says Mr. Shaw.
The next morning, Phil walks his way to work, as usual. When he gets to work, he finds Officer Grace standing next to Cy.
"Phil, Grace here would like a string of words with you." says Cy.
"Just Grace now?" says Phil.
"Well, with she being your girlfriend now, I feel she's becoming a friend to me." says Cy.
"Go inside." says Phil.
"Yes, my faithful intern." says Cy as he heads inside the radio station.
"What is it now?" asks Phil.
"We picked up a vagabond last night, name of Thomas Cinder. Says that he knows you." says Officer Grace.
"Thomas Cinder? He's my old bully." says Phil.
"So you do know him?" queries Officer Grace.
"Yes, I know him, but not as a friend." says Phil.
"He says that he feels he's your friend." says Officer Grace.
"His mind has been strained by prison. He talked to me the other day about it and I didn't believe him." says Phil.
"Well, he's in our jail right now and we're keeping him until someone posts his bail." says Officer Grace.
"That won't help him. His family's all but gone. His father died in a accident 5 years ago and his mother died giving birth to him." says Phil.
"Any siblings?" asks Officer Grace.
"None, his father tried to hook up with my mother a few times but his personality left a lot to be desired." says Phil.
"Any more infomation?" asks Officer Grace.
"No." says Phil.
"Fine. I'll just leave now." says Officer Grace.
She gives him a hug and a kiss and departs.
"Grace is getting attached to you." says Cy, coming out of the station.
"Were you listening?" asks Phil.
"I had to. It looked interesting." says Cy.
"Well, I guess you heard about Thomas?" asks Phil.
"She asked me before you and I had nothing on him." says Cy.
"It's a shame." says Phil.
"I think I'll pay his bail, but not until next week. He could use a place to sleep." says Cy.
"He's homeless?" says Phil.
"He's got his old house but he doesn't wanna go back." says Cy.
"I wonder why?" asks Phil.
"Before you ponder the reasons, I want you to know that today, October 15th, is my birthday, lucky number 26." says Cy.
"Feeling happy?" asks Phil.
"As well as you can as I count another orbit of the sun." says Cy.
"You count your birthdays?" says Phil.
"My mother told me to count my birthdays, because you might not get another one. Why, I remember when she was walking out of that hospital, three days before her death, saying to me, '52, Cy, 52'." says Cy.
"Well, only halfway to go before you tie her record." says Phil.
"That's the spirit." says Cy as he and Phil head into the radio station.
In the police station, on the jail cot, lays Thomas, still hearing and seeing what happened last night. As he twists and turns on his cot, Polly enters the room, rolling along with her the mop bucket.
Polly grabs the mop from the bucket and begins to wash the floor. Thomas is awakened by the rolling bucket. Thomas gets up from the bunk and walks over to the bars.
"Who the hell are you?" asks Thomas.
"I'm the janitor here." says Polly.
"You don't look like no janitor I've ever seen." says Thomas.
Polly looks up from her mopping at Thomas.
"Well, make no mistake, I'm the janitor around here." says Polly.
"I'm the prisoner today." says Thomas.
"That I see." says Polly, going back to her mopping.
"There's no one in here to talk to." says Thomas.
"So you think you can gain a conversation out of me?" asks Polly.
"I hope so, ma'am." says Thomas.
"Maybe a little one. Just don't ask me how to escape." says Polly.
"Escape is the last thing I want to do." says Thomas.
"Why not? That's usually want anyone wants." says Polly.
"I have no place to go." says Thomas.
"Don't you have a home?" asks Polly.
"I have a house, not a home." says Thomas.
"Why isn't a home?" asks Polly.
"Because there's no one there, except the ghosts of my childhood." says Thomas.
"You sound different than most prisoners." says Polly.
"That's because I've been there and I don't wish to go back." says Thomas.
"That's where you are right now." says Polly.
"I mean prison, not jail. There's a difference." says Thomas.
"Not to me." says Polly.
"If you were in my place, you wouldn't say that." says Thomas.
"You do have a quality I haven't seen in a prisoner before." says Polly.
"Yeah, childhood guilt." says Thomas.
"Your life must have been terrible." says Polly.
"Don't get me started, ma'am. By the name, what's your name?" says Thomas.
"Polly, Polly McInytre." says Polly.
"Any relation to that police chief?" asks Thomas.
"My uncle." says Polly.
"Great, I told my story to the police chief's niece." says Thomas.
"Don't worry. I'm a softie, in this case." says Polly.
"Thanks, Polly." says Thomas.
"You're welcome... " says Polly.
"Thomas, Thomas Cinder." says Thomas.
Polly then returns to her mopping and Thomas lays back down on the bunk of his cell, still thinking of the events of last night.
That same afternoon, Phil sits in his home, watching TV, when he hears a knock at the door. He walks to the door and opens it.
"Cy!" says Phil as he sees him standing there.
"Hello, Phil. I decided to stop by today and help you." says Cy as he walks in. Phil closes the door and says, "Help me with what?"
"With your date on Friday with Officer Grace." says Cy.
"What pointers could you give me?" queries Phil.
"Plenty." says Cy as he passes Phil's picture of a girl.
Cy picks up the picture and looks at it as Phil walks over to him.
"Who's the girl?" asks Cy.
"That's Evangeline." says Phil.
"'Evangeline, Evangeline, curses the soul of the Mississippi queen, that stole her man away.'" says Cy, quoting an old song.
"She was a nice girl." says Phil.
"Was? What happened?" says Cy.
"She died in a car accident senior year with her boyfriend." says Phil.
"This display of her picture would indicate that you had feelings for her." says Cy. "I did. I admired her from afar and I tried to make her mine but she fell for another and when she died, I attented her funeral." says Phil.
"Well, I'm gonna make sure that Officer Grace isn't another Evangeline." says Cy, putting the picture down.
"What are gonna do?" asks Phil.
"Well, I'm gonna give you a couple of tips that my mother passed on to me." says Cy.
"Such as?" says Phil.
"How to talk to Officer Grace without swallowing your tungue." says Cy.
"That's my biggest hurdle." says Phil.
"Well, what you should do to overcome that hurdle is to let her have the first word in any conversation. That way, you know where to go with your words." says Cy.
"Does that work?" asks Phil.
"It worked for me and it'll work for you." says Cy.
"How has it worked for you?" queries Phil.
"Don't ask, just learn." says Cy.
"What's your next tip?" asks Phil.
"Always be a gentleman." says Cy.
"I know that." says Phil.
"I see that you have some idea of being a gentleman." says Cy.
"I do, Cy. I mean, I haven't tried to be one but I know how." says Phil. "Remember Evangeline, Phil." says Cy.
"I do, and I promise to be better." says Phil.
"Make sure of it." says Cy.
"Now, any more tips for me?" asks Phil.
"I better let you figure things out without my help. Besides, I feel that you have to find your own way with this." says Cy.
"Then why did you give me tips?" queries Phil.
"Because I wanted to set a foundation. Romance often fails without a good foundation, just like buildings." says Cy.
"I never knew you were a romantic, Cy." says Phil.
"I try to be a man of the world, the old-fashioned world that we used to live in before society tossed it away." says Cy.
"You better go." says Phil.
"I better. See ya on the flip side." says Cy as he walks to the door.
Cy opens the door, walks outside, and closes in behind.
Friday soon arrives and Conrad is once again reading the newspaper in the green room as Phil enters.
"Good morning, Conrad." says Phil as he enters.
"Good morning, Phil." says Conrad.
"Any more rapes?" asks Phil.
"Not really. He's been quiet these past two days." says Conrad.
"Maybe the efforts of Mr. Shaw are working." says Phil.
"That reminds me, Mr. Shaw is slowly becoming a fan of Cy's mother." says Conrad.
"What happened?" asks Phil.
"Cy got to talking with Mr. Shaw and the two just hit it off." says Conrad.
"Cy is good with people." says Phil.
"So was his mother." says Conrad.
"What are you saying about my mother?" asks Cy as he enters the room.
"Nothing bad, Cy." says Conrad.
"Good. Conrad, go get ready for the show." says Cy.
"Okay, Cy." says Conrad, who then makes his leave from the green room.
"Now that Conrad is out of the room, I want to remain you of your date with Officer Grace, or Grace as I call her." says Cy.
"What is it you wish to discuss with me now?" says Phil.
"Only to remind you of my tips I gave you." says Cy.
"What are they again?" says Phil.
"Always be a gentleman and let the woman have the first word in a conversation. Both tips will lead to a successful relationship." says Cy.
"Then why haven't they worked for you?" queries Phil.
"I just to avoid being tied down, and I'm waiting for the right time." says Cy. "Well, I could use another tip." says Phil.
"Another tip?" says Cy.
"It's about the age difference." says Phil.
"Between you and Grace?" says Cy.
"She's 32 and I'm 21. I don't see how that big an age difference can make a relationship." says Phil.
"Only you would make 11 years seem a big difference. To some people, that's a drop in the bucket. I say, let the difference shrink to zero and just enjoy each other. She can guide you and you can guide her." says Cy, getting out a cigar.
"I never knew you smoked." says Phil.
"Only at home, but today, I wanna do it in the studio. Terry just hates cigar smoke. He's a cig smoker." says Cy.
"I hope that tip you gave me works." says Phil.
"I once spent two weeks with a 43-year-old waitress and it was fun, so I know it works." says Cy.
"You never cease to amaze me." says Phil.
"I hope I never do. The day I become routine is the day I leave my body on this planet and move on." says Cy.
"Go smoke your cigar." says Phil with a smile on his face.
The Friday show for Cy and Conrad is an unusual one for them, with Cy's cigar. As Terry leaves the studio, Cy puffs cigar smoke in his face.
"Don't smoke those in my presence." says Terry.
"You don't have any presence." says Cy.
Cy and Conrad then take their seats and begin their show.
During the show, Cy speaks into the mike, "People of Hyperion. Today is Friday. For some, it means payday, and we're among those payday people. For others, it's a chance to find romance and I say to these people, good luck. Love is a wondeful thing and it can overcome anything thrown at it."
"Are you sure?" asks Conrad.
"Oh, yeah. Throughout history, love has united and, in some cases, divided people from all walks of life. I would now like to play a song about love, about how it conquers all. Gram Parsons' 'A Song for You'." says Cy.
As Cy plays the song, Phil can feel his own love for Officer Grace grow more than it has, with a special lock to keep it in. As night falls on Hyperion, the bank swells with people's checks and romance blooms for two people.
As Phil sits in his house, dressed in his best suit, he awaits the arrival of Officer Grace. Suddenly, at about 7:30 pm, he hears a knock at the door. Phil rushes over to the door and opens it. There, in front of him, is Officer Grace, dressed in a red sweater with a grey skirt.
"Officer Grace, I've never seen you like this." says Phil.
Her hair, which had been tied behind her head, was now down and out.
"Ready, Phil?" asks Officer Grace.
"Sure... Grace." says Phil.
Officer Grace extends her arm and Phil takes hold of it and together, the two walk to Officer Grace's car. Phil gets in on the passenger side and Officer Grace gets in the driver's seat. Before starting the car, she gives Phil a kiss.
"That's one, to start." says Officer Grace as she starts the car.
"I guess I get more later." says Phil.
"You bet." says Officer Grace as she backs the car out of the driveway.
"So, where are we going?" asks Phil.
"We're going to Sally's Diner." says Officer Grace.
"Great place to go." says Phil.
"I know." says Officer Grace.
The two drive to Sally's Diner, the best eatery in town.
"This is the place." says Officer Grace when they get there.
"Wow, I never knew this place as a place for romance." says Phil.
"Come with me and I'll show you." says Officer Grace as she walks to the door, with Phil running behind.
The two walk arm-and-arm into the diner. In the back, a country band is playing the greatest hits of Dillard & Clark.
"She was there all that night, said for you I know I'm right." sings the lead singer.
"Nice tune. Cy played it a few times." says Phil.
"Come on." says Officer Grace as they walk to a table.
As they sit down, a waitress comes by.
"Hello, welcome to Sally's Diner." says the waitress.
"Thanks, can we have some menus?" says Officer Grace.
"Yes, you may. Let me go get them." says the waitress as she moves away.
Phil just sits there, waiting for Officer Grace to start.
"Well, aren't you gonna talk?" asks Officer Grace after a few minutes.
"Here are your menus." says the waitress before Phil can speak.
As the waitress departs, Phil speaks, "I was waiting for you."
"Well, you have every right to start this conversation." says Officer Grace. "Right. I'm sorry." says Phil.
"Don't be and look at the menu." says Officer Grace.
Phil then plants his face behind the menu, hoping that Officer Grace will start again. Phil stares at the menu for 15 minutes, waiting for Officer Grace to talk. Finally, Phil can't take it.
"I wish to talk to you." says Phil.
"Then why don't you?" asks Officer Grace.
"I was waiting for you to speak." says Phil.
"Well, I want to talk to you, too, and I wanted you to start." says Officer Grace. "I hoping you would start." says Phil.
"I guess we're talking now." says Officer Grace.
"I guess we are." says Phil.
"Let's keep talking." says Officer Grace.
"Lets." says Phil.
Phil and Officer Grace keep talking, pass the giving of their orders to the waitress, passing the receiving of the orders and through the eating of the food, they keep talking. Meanwhile, Cy happens to walk in due to his knowing the band's fiddler and catches Phil and Officer Grace talking. Cy dares not to interupt their date and watches from one of the counter stools in the place.
As the band plays the best of Gram Parsons, the two keep talking. When the band gets to the song that Cy played earlier, Phil decides to take Officer Grace to the dance floor. As the two dance, Cy watches and is amazed at the two.
"That's love, right there, in all its glory." says Cy to the waitress.
"It sure is." says the waitress.
As 11:00 pm nears, Phil and Officer Grace make their leave, with Cy staying at his chair.
"We close at midnight." says the waitress.
"I know, I'll just wait and leave then." says Cy.
"You need someone." says the waitress.
"I know, but I'll keep waiting." says Cy.
Phil and Officer Grace drive back to Phil's house.
"Boy, that was fun." says Phil as they walk through the front door.
"It sure was." says Officer Grace.
"Care for some coffee?" asks Phil.
"I sure would." says Officer Grace.
Phil goes into the kitchen and puts on a pot. As the coffee brews, Officer Grace walks around the apartment.
"Who's this." asks Officer Grace when she sees Phil's special picture.
"That's Evangeline, my high-school crush." says Phil.
"I think I've seen her before." says Officer Grace.
"She died in a car accident senior year." says Phil.
"I know now, it was a accident case I covered." says Officer Grace.
"You were at the scene?" queries Phil.
"I was." says Officer Grace as Phil brings over the coffee.
"She was special. In fact, I thought she would be mine." says Phil.
"She died with her boyfriend." says Officer Grace.
"I know, but I loved her." says Phil.
"Hopefully not as much as me." says Officer Grace.
As Phil and Officer Grace drank their coffee, they realize their inner connection and the look in their eyes becomes one picture and the two soon adjurn to Phil's bedroom. With soft hands, the two soon pass into passion only two people truly in love can have. They continue to look in each other's eyes and see their love.
The next morning, Cy is asleep in his easy chair, his usual place of slumber, dreaming of many things. As he smiles, his dream is shattered by the sound of pounding on his door.
"If you're a salesman, they'll never find the body." says Cy as he gets out of the chair.
Cy walks up to the door and opens it to find Conrad.
"Cy?" asks Conrad.
"That's my name, Conrad." says Cy.
"I have some news." says Conrad.
"What is it that so important you stir me from my slumber at 6:00 am in the morning?" asks Cy.
"Polly's been raped!!!" says Conrad.

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This concludes the first episode of the current blog season.

Now, I promise to have the re-written part two of the story for you soon. For now, enjoy what's there, for it is a lesson to all first-time writers to keep track of your ideas.

See ya next time...