Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Blackthorne Episode 155



image from westernmagcovers.com 

Blackthorne


Cinemagenic 155


Hurts So Good


“Those who keep silent about their pain

hurt more.”--C.S. Lewis.


1(sound cue) violins.

2(medium close-up) Buck opened his eyes.

3(expand the shot) It was late morning. The sun

was bright behind the tattered window curtain,

made of a potato sack, and around the edges of

the door. He yawned.

4(sound cue) Buck as voice-over: Christ, I’m

becoming a bum--sleeping in like a teenager.

He sat up on the side of the bed. He still ached

everywhere. Dos yipped at his feet, wagging his

butt and licking Buck’s hand. He petted the dog’s

head, rubbing behind his floppy ears.

Buck: Yeah, I know, life is rough for a house pup.

No one ever feeds you or plays with you. 

Dos puppy-barked twice.

Buck: You sly little shit, I don’t buy it. I fed you last

night ( pointing to a 10 pound sack of Spratt’s Dog

& Puppy Cakes) and everybody feeds you table 

scraps. Buck stretched and yawned again:
Jesus! Jesus!

5(sound cue) heavy boots crossing the porch, 

over castanets.

6(one shot) the front door opened and Jesus

stepped in.

7(two shot) Jesus: Buenos Dias, Hefe!

Buck: Can you feed this pup? He seems to think

it’s breakfast time.

Jesus: He’s wrong, it’s almost lunch time.

Buck: No shit?  I’m really getting lazy and spoiled.

Jesus: It’s called healing--enjoy it while you can.

I mean I never seen nobody so shot up and is still

breathing. 

Buck: I have.

Jesus: Who?

Buck: Johnny Eagle.

Jesus: Si, que cabron, one tough son of a bitch,

that one.

Buck: Yup, one courageous hijo de puta!

Like a father to me, a pinche saint.

Jesus: And yet, even he could not survive the

lead bath he had--but no one will ever walk

in his footprints again.

Buck: Damn rights, and now he waits for both

of us. There was a moment of silence.

So what kind of chuck you got?

Jesus: Chili, tortillas and bacon...and you can have

a couple of eggs if you want them--and some coffee

that is stronger than cat piss!

Buck: Speaking of pissing.

He grabbed a pair of crutches leaning on the wall.

His left leg was in a cast. He hobbled a few steps over to 

a chipped ceramic chamber pot and pissed a pint.

Jesus: I’ll fix you a plate. Do you want it here, or do

you want the adventure of stepping outside and joining

us on the porch?

Buck smiled, and rubbed his stubbled chin: You know

what? It looks like a fine day outside. How about I

enjoy my late breakfast out there with y’all?

Jesus: Could you use some help with the walking?

Buck: Probably, but hey, let me cuss and moan and

Cowboy up, and I’ll meet you out on the porch.

As Jesus opened the door, Dos scampered outside.

Jesus: I think he needs to pee as well.

Buck: I suspect he crapped over in the corner last

night.

Jesus: Better than on your bed.

They both laughed. Buck groaned.

Jesus: I know--don’t make you laugh.



Glenn Buttkus


Posted over at d'Verse Poet's Pub OLN

8 comments:

Sanaa Rizvi said...

This is incredibly powerful writing, Glenn!💘 Such fine attention to detail here which makes me deeply engrossed while reading - it's nice to see that Buck is healing, he will need his strength for what is to follow. Thank you so much for joining in dVerse LIVE session. Always a pleasure to have you with us! 😀

Fireblossom said...

Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze
And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever, but I ask you please
Don't fence me in.

(Thanks, Cole Porter)

JadeLi said...

Glenn, I'm geeked to hear Buck is mended to a place where he can walk with crutches and feels like going outside. I laughed when Jesus walked through the door and relieved it wasn't that Jesus. Such good dialogue. I like the fact Dos is with him but I'm also happy he has some humans to keep on eye on things until he's up to par.

Merril D. Smith said...

It was great to see you on dVerse live yesterday.
It's good to read that Buck is healing so well. He seems well on his way to recovery now with human and canine caretakers to help him.

Sunra Rainz said...

It was great to hear you read the other night, Glenn! I'd love to hear that poem again or read it here more closely. However, I enjoyed catching up on the latest Buck adventure :-)

Rajani Rehana said...

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paeansunplugged said...

I so enjoyed this, Glenn!