The Time Travel Trilogy of Galdebrach: Volume One: Cruel Twist of Fate

By Dan Trivates

For a Jew, working on the Sabbath Day was an abominable act. Perhaps that is why Esau MacDuff's life got flipped upside down in 1989. It took him seven years to finally settle into a life of which he could be proud... then the time travelers came!

Finding himself in a world of strange new economics, surrounded by people and aliens, who speak different languages to each other, he discovers an opportunity of a lifetime.

In the process of seizing this grand opportunity, he comes to grips with some deep, philosophical issues, when his entire cosmic perspective is dashed to pieces, during a trip to the distant past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dan Trivates
• Release date: Sep 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301552849

Dan Trivates

Dan Trivates is currently working on a time travel saga called "Galdebrach, The Lord of Time". Part One: Cruel Twist of Fate is scheduled for release on December 21, 2012. Dan found his love for writing in song. Having written over 100 songs, his style lends itself to brief bits of brilliant poetry and prose. His first experience with book publishing came from offering editing services to self-publishing authors due to his exquisite command of the English language. His clients have included the likes of Lavinia Thompson and Sabrina Sumsion.

Book preview

The Time Travel Trilogy

of

Galdebrach

Volume One

Cruel Twist of Fate

© Dan Trivates, 2012

"No, the world did not end."

Smashwords Edition, License Notes: This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person with whom you share it. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover image by Matt Lowe

(XboxPsycho on DeviantArt.com)

http://trivates.wordpress.com

Dedication

In the hope that everyone would lighten up, and just have a good time, already:

This tome is dedicated to

the Human race.

In this spirit, there are countless song lyrics or titles and names of bands interlaced with the text of this epic, comedic space opera.

See if you can find them all!

In the paperback version of this book, there is list of such musical references, at the back, following a glossary of less common or entirely new words.

For those with e-readers, the glossary can be accessed at

http://trivates.wordpress.com

In addition, Neil Armstrong, the first Human to walk on another world, as far as we know, died the week of this book’s release, barely a month after the death of Sally Ride, the first American female astronaut.

We really need to get back out there.

So, take a chance; live a little

and never let The Dream die...

Acknowledgements

In 1997, this work began as several short stories which complemented each other chronologically, culminating in a single, epic volume known simply as The Saga. My friend, Adam Rowland and I had planned on continuing The Saga after high school, but we lost touch with each other for nearly 15 years. In the mean time, Adam has used one of our characters, in a similar setting, albeit in a video game. The only similarities remaining in this current version of The Saga include the manner in which the main character first meets the time-travelers and the names of two alien races, one of which is no longer part of the main storyline of this volume, but is briefly mentioned.

Kay Darling and Hugh Ashton reviewed some passages for me which went slightly outside my regular style and genre.

Ritesh Kala was also an invaluable resource. He helped me on numerous occasions with the translation or transliteration of Hindi, a language included in a few passages herein.

Matthew and Danielle Drake of Kourageous Kids Storybooks introduced me to the miracle known as action tags, which I believe have greatly ameliorated my writing.

Finally, David Antrobus, whose namesake has become the royal title of a character in this work has been quite tremendously inspirational.

In the soon to be immortal words of Esau MacDuff:

You’ve been helpful!

Preface

Recommended Reading!

Dear Cherished Reader,

Many characters in the following story use languages other than English. When a quote appears in italic text, the associated character is speaking a different language which the main character can understand. Keep that in mind.

For example:

The character spoke a different language. "This is a different language." He had spoken Hungarian.

In addition, the print version of this tome contains fonts depicting Russian, Indic and Chinese characters to help the reader visualize certain signs which the main character encounters from time to time, enriching the cultural exposure of this volume. Unfortunately, e-readers have not progressed to the point whereat international characters convert well. Therefore, those features have been omitted from the e-book edition of this work until such time as the technology can accommodate them properly.

All italic text outside of quotation marks are the thoughts of the character from whose point of view the passage is being conveyed; usually that of the main character.

If at any time, during your enjoyment of this story, you forget the meanings of certain, unfamiliar words, or if you encounter words not in your dictionary, you can visit http://trivates.wordpress.com/ to peruse a number of glossaries posted thereon. The print version of this book, available at amazon.com, contains a glossary at the back, along with a list of the various musical references hidden throughout the text.

When the main character is first taken to the future, you will encounter many quotations containing text in different languages. Do not be afraid. It is only temporary. Remember, the main character doesn’t understand them, either, at first.

Enjoy the story!

Table of Contents

If you are enjoying the story, so far, consider following the development of the next two volumes on the following social media:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSagaSeries

WordPress: http://trivates.wordpress.com

Twitter: @Trivates

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Epilogue

Chapter One

The Supplanter

For a Jew, working on the Sabbath Day was an abominable act. Esau had been looking forwards to sleeping in that day. It was 9:30am on July 1, 1989. Normally, Saturday was his day off. In addition, that peculiar Saturday was a national holiday, Canada Day. In about 11 hours, most of the country would be enjoying a triumphant display of fireworks. They would drink beer or whatever booze upon which they could get their hands. That was a good thing, for the MacDuff family ran a chain of liquor stores in Calgary, Alberta, the largest city in the province with the highest alcohol consumption rate in the country.

He had been lying in his bed in his bachelor pad near one of the family’s stores when his telephone began to ring. At first he did not stir. The phone rang again. He grimaced, rolling onto his back with a moan. The phone rang again. He sat up with a start. The phone rang again. He pushed the blankets off to put his bare feet on the floor. The phone was across the room. He stood slowly, walking over as the phone rang again. He finally reached it as it began to ring for a sixth time.

Esau groaned prior to picking up the receiver. Hello? He wiped his eyes with the palm of his hand.

The voice on the other end was Scottish. Esau!

Dad?

O’ course ’tis yer Da’. I’m needin’ ye tae open store twa today. The bairn I hired last week called in peely-wally an’ I dinnae hae a body else on hand.

Open store two? You’re calling me in to work? But today is Shabbat! Can we leave it closed until six?

Esau’s father sighed. I ken tis yer Sabbath. I normally wouldnae ha’ cried, but I ha’ tae run store three today. Yer honouring yer faither ba daen’ this. I’m sure the Guid Laird wull understand.

It is not wise to speak for Him, Dad. But I guess if you have to run store three, I can go run store two. Understand father: I’m shutting down at six if the other schmuck doesn’t show up.

Aye. That wull dae. Call me f’ye ha’ ne problems. His father hung up abruptly.

It was hard to refuse Angus when he requested the help of his son. The family’s background was rooted in a proud entrepreneurial history. Esau understood that being in business for oneself required sacrifices. His family pride overcame his sense of tradition.

He looked at himself in the bathroom mirror whilst he groomed. He had always had a difficult time getting his curly, Hebrew hair to stay where he had put it. He greased his palms up with some gel, running it through his short, brown Jew-fro to make at least some attempt to tame it. Watching carefully with his dark brown eyes, he ran his comb through his hair. A drop of gel fell onto one of his eyebrows which were spaced a good inch apart very symmetrically. He washed his hands, leaving them wet so he could clean the offending drop off of his face. Next, he applied some shaving cream to remove the stubble from his well-rounded chin. As he shaved, Esau reflected upon how much he hated his giant beak of a nose, paled from lack of sun over the winter which lasted quite a bit longer in that part of the country. He didn’t believe in plastic surgery, so he just used stylish suits to draw attention away from what he believed to be minor facial flaws. He was proud of his Jewish heritage though. Not even the biggest nose in the world could have ever made him regret his roots.

He examined his medium-sized teeth with a large smile after brushing them. He would be smiling a lot that day to encourage repeat business. Therefore, oral hygiene was paramount.

He quickly went about getting dressed before running out the door in a flash.

After a short drive in his little, white 1978 Honda Civic which he had bought whilst in college, Esau arrived at work. He was just in time to see a frustrated customer walking away from the closed store back to his vehicle.

As the customer heard Esau’s keys jingle, he noticed the young Jew fumbling with the lock. Hey, are you opening the store?

Why, yes. I am. Our regular cashier called in sick today. I just got called in by the boss. Sorry we weren’t open at 10:00. Esau’s eyes fell. He was an accountant by trade, but understood the value of good customer service.

It’s no big deal! May I come in?

Certainly! Take your time though. I have to get everything organized.

You betcha!

As the burly customer took a stroll through the beer fridge, Esau turned on all the lights before counting the money in the till. It was a bright, sunny day, and all was right with the world, so he refrained from illuminating the storefront lights outside. Once he had everything figured out, he flipped on the television facing the point of sale behind the counter.

A female newscaster appeared inside the crackly noise box with pictures. ...Be sure to join us tonight at six o’clock when we bring you the evening news. You won’t want to miss our coverage of Hugh Hefner’s wedding...

At about that time, the customer had chosen his poison. He placed it on the counter with the clinking of 24 Molson Old Style Pilsner bottles.

Esau punched some buttons on the cash register. That’s $26.55, sir.

The man dug his wallet out of the back pocket of his jeans. As he did, three more customers burst into the store in search for their Canada Day celebratory spirits.

Today is going to be a Gong Show.

The customer before Esau pulled a credit card out of his wallet. You take Visa?

Esau was about to reply when one of the new customers interrupted him.

She was a pretty young blonde with blue eyes. Do you guys have MacDuff’s Finest here? She wore a black top with tattered ribbons hanging down making her mid-section look like a dishevelled crow. Her white denim shorts revealed her long, sexy legs in their entirety.

Esau was puzzled. I’ve never heard of MacDuff’s Finest. He turned back to the previous customer. Yes, we do take Visa, sir.

The customer handed his credit card to Esau, who put the card in the imprinter.

The girl who had just been at the counter rejoined her friends. They don’t have it! What year did you say this was?

The other two girls, clad in shiny, multi-coloured fabric began to hush the loud blonde very irritably. One of them whispered something about the cops followed by do you wanna die?

Esau was perplexed, to say the least.

After making an imprint of the man’s credit card, he called the number on the back, scrawling figures on the bill whilst waiting for someone to answer. It didn’t take long. Esau cleared the purchase with the telephone agent fairly swiftly. He thanked the agent before hanging up the phone.

Esau brought the imprint over to the friendly customer to have him sign it. Thank you for choosing MacDuff Liquor, sir! Happy Canada Day. He tore off the customer’s copy to hand it to him.

The man beamed. You betcha. He left the store with his case of beer.

The silly girls continued to look round the store for a while, bickering over what to buy. After a while, they had finally made their decision. They came to the counter with three bottles of Okanagan Apple Wine. They simply stood there for a while looking dumb.

Esau drew his eyes across their faces, one by one. That’ll be $15, girls... His eyes retraced their original path.

The blonde crow-girl panicked. Shit! They’re still using cash.

One of her friends, who appeared to be Eurasian, rolled her eyes. Hermian sunrise! Would you shut up? You’re going to get us in trouble. She turned to the third girl. Pay the man, Aldonza.

Aldonza was very tall, with a regal appearance, despite her strange, shiny clothing. She had a light tan, an elongated head, dark hair and tiny, dark brown eyes that looked like they could shoot laser beams. Her thick, luscious lips were drawn into a snooty little pout. She pulled a $20 bill out of her purse, handing it to Esau without a word. He placed the $20 inside the till whilst pulling out $5 change for Aldonza. She took it from his hand. Again, without a single word, she tucked it into her purse. With their purchase settled, each girl picked up a bottle from the counter, turning to walk out.

Esau was perplexed, but decided to be polite. Happy Canada Day!

The blonde cranked her head over her shoulder as she continued to walk ahead of her friends. Thanks! She was immediately smacked in the back of the head by the Eurasian girl.

Shut up! The infuriated girl shooed the blonde out the door. She spun her head round to face Aldonza. Why’d we bring a honky?

Aldonza remained silent. She simply pointed to the open door. The Eurasian girl bowed her head, walking out ahead of Aldonza who let the door swing shut behind her.

Esau shook his head, not sure what to make of that whole scene. He turned to look at the television. He decided he didn’t like what he saw, so he flipped to the weather channel to see the forecast for the remainder of the weekend. He was hoping perhaps if he got Sunday off, he might be able to head over to Banff National Park to do some canoeing at Lake Louise. The forecast predicted rain.

I hate it when I have to work on the Sabbath. God always finds a way to punish me, but Dad’s business is worth it if I inherit it someday.

Angus MacDuff was a very hard man. He was a self-made Scotsman who had fought in World War II with the Royal Army. Esau’s mother, Rebecca Barbethuel had been a prisoner at Auschwitz with her little sister, Beth. They were respectively 16 and four at the time. They had been lucky enough that the war had ended when it had. The Red Army had been but a day’s march away from the complex the day the Barbethuels had arrived. His mother had been crafty enough to hide herself and her sister, that day. She had exploited the confusion of the news of the advancing Russians.

Angus’ platoon had been a top-secret British military intelligence operation stationed in Poland. Near the end of the war, they had been intercepted by the Red Army who welcomed the Royal Army soldiers into their ranks. Angus had been involved in liberating the prisoners from the notorious Nazi death camp in Poland.

Rebecca, along with her family was relocated to Edinburgh as a refugee. She’d had to study English prior to going to a Scottish school, but she was ambitious. She learned quickly. Whilst she was finishing high school, she became enamoured with Angus as they had become friends after the war was over. Angus became well-liked by the Barbethuel family. They treated him like one of their own.

After Rebecca had graduated from high school, she decided to pursue post-secondary education, enrolling at the prestigious London Business School; part of the University of London. Round the same time, the MacDuff family tavern was given to Angus’ elder brother, Donald. Angus would have had a guaranteed job as a bartender at the tavern, but it seemed like something of a dreary life. He had wanted more, and Rebecca needed time to study. He had bidden her to seek him if she still loved him when her studies were complete. Angus had promised to write her letters often. After sharing a tearful goodbye, Rebecca had gone to London, and Angus had boarded a ship bound for Canada.

Angus had landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1950, but there had been a lack of jobs for a young immigrant. Go west young man, had been the echoing advice of the elders in the town, for in Alberta, there is work for all!

Angus had trekked across Canada by rail to Edmonton, Alberta. He had settled south of there in Leduc where he laboured in the burgeoning oil industry for three years, saving all the money he could like a true Scotsman.

In 1954, Angus ventured southwards to Calgary with all the money he had saved. There, in a new shopping strip he had established the first MacDuff Liquor store. All the while, when he had lived in Leduc, he had kept in contact with Rebecca and her family by mail. They had eagerly written back to him. When finally his liquor store was thriving, Rebecca had achieved a Bachelor of Management degree with a major in Accounting. She had told Angus in a letter that she still loved him, wanted to see him, but she had insufficient funds with which to travel, and her family was still struggling. After the Barbethuels had been captured in Paris, France by the German National Socialists, the family had been plundered of its wealth. As refugees, they’d had to start all over again.

When Angus had learned of Rebecca’s predicament, he had sent her just enough money to cover her fares to Canada. They were reunited in 1955 at the train station in Edmonton.

Together, they had grown MacDuff Liquor to a chain of three stores. When the time had come to open the third in 1958, they had sent for their immediate families in Scotland to come celebrate the grand opening.

After the ribbon cutting whilst everyone was enjoying wine amidst great joy and merriment, Angus pulled Rebecca’s father aside. He was cautious as he broached the subject on his mind. If ye would grant me yer daughter’s hand in marriage, I wull assure ye that our bairns are raised according tae the Jewish tradition.

Rebecca’s father had rejoiced. Hastily, with both families in attendance, Angus had proposed to Rebecca. They were wed on the following Saturday. Thereafter, the MacDuff clan had returned to Scotland and the Barbethuels had relocated to Calgary after selling their house in Edinburgh.

That harrowing story always flashed through Esau’s mind whenever he had to cover a Saturday shift. He would never refuse helping his father in the business which had supported their family since ere he could remember.

The rest of the day went by without much incident. A tremendous lot of people too numerous to count had come in to buy various types of liquor for the big, national celebration that night. Esau had to call his mother to bring him a lunch because in his haste to get to work, he hadn’t had time to pack one. He had even skipped breakfast. When six o’clock came round, Esau’s relief was nowhere in sight. He hadn’t even received a phone call from the stupid kid. As he gazed at the clock round that time, his lightly tanned face became red, knowing he had about five customers to serve ere he could close.

He quickly grabbed a scrap of paper. Upon it with a magic marker he wrote: Statutory Holiday – Closed Early. He stuck it to the upper window of the entrance to the store.

It didn’t work. Three more customers came in without reading the sign. With eight customers in the store, two of whom were at the till, Esau began to wonder if he would ever get out of there. The customers continued to come in droves, completely ignoring the sign on the door. It was still broad daylight so Esau couldn’t even turn off the storefront lights to dissuade passing motorists. He had never put them on in the first place. Round 7:30pm, Angus walked in, waving at Esau who sheepishly waved back, trying to stay on top of all the business.

Angus went behind the counter. I’ll take it from here, laddie. He was straining hard to sound Canadian, failing horribly.

Thanks Dad, I take it your relief decided to show up?

Angus did not look at Esau. Aye. He tended wholeheartedly to the customers, each of whom were dumping half a week’s pay at the till.

Esau slipped away to enjoy the rest of his Sabbath. He tried to call a friend after he had arrived at home. Phone call after phone call failed. Before long, Esau had exhausted his list of friends still living in Calgary. He had known that everyone had been planning to go to Banff for the weekend. He wanted to join them, but they most likely had already left. The plan had been to meet at Jeff’s house at noon. They were times like these when Esau would wish he had a girlfriend. He hadn’t known a woman’s touch since college as he had been so busy with his Dad’s business. He hadn’t been out in forever. With a sigh, he lay down on his bed to think of something to do.

Having had such a hard day, he was rather exhausted. It didn’t take long for him to doze off unexpectedly.

* * *

The phone rang.

Esau sat up with a start. He glanced at the clock.

10:12pm

Oy, I missed the fireworks too. Esau moaned, rising to answer the phone. It rang again ere he reached it.

He picked up the receiver. Hello?

Esau, ’tis yer Da’! Make sure tae be in mae office early Monday mornin’! Jacob just called Mim. He’s comin’ back from Toronto on th’morrow!

Jacob was Esau’s younger brother. Esau had feared the day Jacob would return. He had always seemed to be their father’s favourite.

Will Dad be naming me the heir of MacDuff Liquor, or will it be harder than that?

Something in the pit of Esau’s stomach told him it wouldn’t be that easy. That’s great Dad. I’m glad I could help you with store two today. He secretly loathed the two lazy employees who’d skipped work on account of it being Canada Day.

Sick, indeed. What bobkes!

Twon’t be the last time... have a guid sleep, laddie! Angus hung up the phone.

Esau began to think about what it would be like to have Jacob around again. Esau had always done what he had thought was expected, but Jacob had always made him look bad.

As children, Angus would take them camping in Banff. He taught them, by the skills he had gained in the Royal Army, how to survive with naught or little, far from civilization. As such, Esau being the elder often was the first to learn new skills. He would be later charged with the instruction of Jacob on subsequent trips.

Jacob had always been an innovator. With the skills he would learn, he had often found inventive ways of applying them, going beyond his father’s expectations. When taught how to swing an axe to split wood, he had felled a tree. When taught how to hammer a nail, he had built a wagon. There was no stopping his innovation. Fortunately, he had not burned the forest down upon completion of his fire-making lessons!

This overachieving spirit spilled into everything Jacob did. In school, he had achieved higher grades at his own level than had Esau, two years prior. He had achieved greater accomplishments in sports than had Esau, who rarely competed in sports at all. Indeed, in all that Esau had ever done, Jacob had done better in subsequent years. As such, Jacob earned great praise from his father. Inversely, Esau received great scorn.

His father would pontificate. Ye’ll need tae apply yerself if ye want tae be great like Jacob!

The time had eventually come for Esau to go to college. He had attended Lethbridge Community College at the age of 18. There, he had studied Business Administration and Accounting. He had hoped that pursuit would make him a shrewd partner for his father in the family business and a worthy heir. It had been costly for him, as he had taken out a hefty student loan, in order to attend the college.

Whilst Esau had been in school, Jacob had gotten a scholarship to attend Vanier College at York University in Toronto. There, he achieved a Master of Business Administration degree with honours. Already, Jacob would be the better of Esau in Angus’ eyes, but Esau was committed to keep trying in spite of his brother.

This was a day to which Esau had not been looking forwards; the return of his overachieving brother, the beginning of what might be Esau’s final downfall in his father’s eyes. Esau knew about the tavern in Scotland. Both sides of the family had a tradition of naming the eldest son heir of the family business. In the case of his mother’s family, the tradition was even religious.

But Esau also knew that his father was the younger of two brothers. His elder had inherited the family business. It was something Angus had always thought had been a poor decision on his father’s part. Succeeding Angus was likely to come down to some sort of competition. Esau was afraid that Jacob, with his fancy degree, would win the day if it came to that.

Esau sighed. He got into his pyjamas before crawling into bed to watch some fireworks on television for a while. After about 15 minutes of that, he started looking for something else to watch. He came across an old Star Trek episode. It was already well into the plot: Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock were trying to fit into the dirty thirties. It was one of Esau’s favourite episodes, City on the Edge of Forever. He was always fascinated by the concept of time-travel. He thought it would be great to be able to visit the past or even to go live in the future.

He watched the remainder of the episode before turning off the television. He picked up a book from his night stand; Time Patrol by Poul Anderson. He illuminated the room with a lamp on the table. He read until he dozed off with the book still in his hand.

Both of the lazy employees were still sick the next day.

* * *

When Monday came, Esau dragged himself into his father’s office at 9:00am sharp, the usual time he had always arrived. The office was in the large family home in the suburbs in which Esau and Jacob had been raised. Jacob was already there as he had stayed the night in the house.

Esau had always been jealous of his brother’s smashing good looks. They were both quite similar in features, except for a few things. Jacob always had a much better complexion than his older brother. He could keep a tan longer, get one easier, almost never burned in the sun. His light tan always complemented his other features. Jacob had grown slightly taller in their latter teenage years. Thus, he was able to physically lord his superiority over Esau. His eyes were of a slightly lighter brown. It gave them a shine that seemed to magickally draw the ladies to him. His large forehead seemed to showcase his sheer brilliance. The hair atop his head was wont to stay where he had put it unlike Esau’s. Even Jacob’s nose looked nicer. It was slender, much more like their father’s than their mother’s. He also either wore better suits, or just made them look better. It was hard to tell. Regardless, he was dressed to kill that day. Esau had barely dressed business casual.

Esau decided to be diplomatic. Good to see you, Jacob. Deep inside, Esau’s eyes burned, upon seeing his little brother again.

Jacob wore a smug look. You too, Esau! Heard you had a rough weekend.

Who the Hell drinks the day after they already got drunk? Esau darted a glance over to his father seated behind a beautiful, oak desk.

Angus simply stared back at his elder son, stoically hiding a chuckle, hands folded before him.

Jacob looked over at Esau. Alcoholics. He had always had razor-sharp logic.

Angus maintained his usual, stern face. That’s right! ’Tis not our place tae judge our customers, but if they be wantin’ a wee snip o’ cratur tae wash away their hangovers, who’re we tae turn them away?

Jacob guffawed. Esau buried his face in his right hand.

Not wanting to look like an idiot, Esau decided to start the meeting ahead of his father. So Father, why have you summoned us both here today? He sat forwards attentively.

His father wasted no time. I like you Esau; straight tae business like always. Tae answer yer query: I’m right fit tae retire. I’d like tae finally give Mim the company she’s always craved. I’ll be needin’ tae replace m’self in this chair. I need tae know which one o’ ye be fit tae dae mae job.

Great, he’s going to pit us against each other. I might as well walk out of here now.

Esau cleared his throat, swallowing his fear, determined to take this one last shot. If he failed, then to Hell with the stupid family business, anyway. He didn’t need their pity. In the end, his curiosity prevailed. How do you intend to choose?

Angus answered the question without hesitating. How indeed... Each o’ ye’re tae submit tae me a business proposal. Whichever o’ the twa seems more sound or profitable, I will see tae’t that it’s implemented. Whoever brings me the better proposal wull ascend tae the position o’ Chief Executive Officer o’ MacDuff Liquor. The other brother wull wark for him in a position that I deem fit for his skills.

Right away, Esau knew he was facing the most difficult challenge of his life. He vowed at that very moment that he would never work for Jacob. But he wouldn’t give up without a fight either.

Angus continued. Esau, ye have the rest o’ the month off tae work on yer proposal. Ye’ll still be paid yer salary so ye wullnae ha’ tae skip out on yer rent.

Esau stared blankly. Thanks Dad. He tried not to grumble, rising to head for the door.

Angus drew a cross face. I dinnae say the meetin’ t’were over!

Esau turned back to face his father. I’m sorry.

Jacob was staring at him with the eyes of a predator.

Angus, too, stared through Esau for nearly 10 seconds with his hands folded neatly on his gargantuan desk. Meeting adjourned.

With his father’s leave in place, Esau left.

* * *

Determined not to be bettered, Esau spent the ensuing month analyzing all corners of his father’s business. He drew up plans to streamline costs, save countless tax dollars, get more out of their advertising activities and grow the business faster with the help of franchisees. Franchising had been a method which Angus had never explored. By using franchises, the company could grow its retail business much faster by taking advantage of large bulk purchase plans available only to the biggest chains.

It would definitely solve a lot of our staffing problems.

The plan proposed to increase MacDuff Liquor’s profit margin by 25%. He was proud of his little plan!

Jacob, however, vanished from the face of the Earth, it seemed. No one heard from him during the entire time Esau had been working on his brilliant plan.

At the appointed time on the day of the deadline, Esau walked into his father’s office. To his surprise, Jacob was not there.

Angus was rashly disappointed. He’s got five minutes tae get here. F’e doesnae arrive by then, I’m granting ye the title, Esau. I cannae ha’ mae successor be a tardy type.

No sooner had he uttered it, when Jacob burst into the office out of breath. Sorry, Dad. My plane was late.

Angus looked at Jacob curiously. Where ha’ ye been all this time, laddie?

Jacob was panting with his hands on his knees. I’ve been everywhere.

Angus then turned to Esau. Which one o’ ye would like tae go first? He glanced back at Jacob.

Jacob gesticulated, indicating that Esau should take centre stage. You go first, Esau. After all, I was last in the door.

Esau shot his brother a cock-eyed glance.

What on Earth are you scheming, you little weasel?

Breaking his stare, Esau stood up with three Duo-Tangs in hand. He passed one to his father, one to Jacob. Then, he stood between the large, oak desk and the two chairs before it so that all eyes could be upon him. He cleared his throat before he began explaining the proposal in brevity, taking eloquent measure to ensure that his listeners were on the right page. His drab, long-winded speech outlined logistical changes, tax strategies and other managerial reforms. He also briefly explained how expansion costs could be reduced by soliciting investors to buy franchises of the streamlined business units, how that would reduce the overall cost-of-goods-sold, and almost completely eliminate overhead increases when the business would expand further.

Finally, he got to the financial projections of the business plan. So, we can see by these projections that by implementing the changes I have proposed, the following benefits will come to our family’s business: The existing MacDuff Liquor stores can expect a 25% increase in net cash flow, enabling faster growth in the near future. Furthermore, expanding with franchises instead of operating the new stores ourselves, we can rake pure profits that will only grow over time. That growth, I might add, will only be limited by how fast we can sell franchises. He shot his brother a glance, which silently implied, Beat that, you little meshuggener.

Angus seemed more relieved that the presentation was over than excited about its content. Fantastic! I like how ye pass the cost o’ expansion tae the store manager, like he’s runnin’ his own business inside o’ mines! Isn’t that fit McDonald’s does?

Esau was stunned. He uttered a noise befitting one who was truly at a loss for words.

His father reassured him. Tis a truly fabulous plan, Esau. He nodded. Now let’s see fit Jacob’s got tae say?

Esau could tell that his father had intended for Jacob to offer remarks, maybe present some questions for Esau or suggestions; some sort of discussion anyway, but Jacob was on his feet, ere Esau ever sat down.

Quickly, Jacob set up a small projector. He pulled down a white projection roll on the side of his father’s office. I’ve traveled over 10,000 miles, and spoken to countless people in order to show you what you’re about to see.

Esau slunk down in his chair knowing full well he was about to be bested yet again.

Over the ensuing half-hour, Jacob showed his incredible plan to his enticed father and jealous elder brother. Our family’s liquor store chain is poised perfectly to create and market its own brand of whiskey. Furthermore, by the plan I will now present, we would be able to supply other growing liquor brands with precious ethanol. He outlined all of the steps they would have to take to do it. He presented the financing activities with a genius opening statement. Our business has been grossing well over one million dollars in revenues since the third store was opened before my brother and I were ever born. Such figures need only be maintained for 18 months to qualify us for an initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange so we’re well in the clear. He elaborated on how that would be accomplished, to his father’s enthralled gaze. Through this IPO, we can easily raise 10 to 20 million dollars’ capital to get this distillery set up. Within a year this whole thing could be a reality. When he reached that point of the presentation, he made a striking selling point. Soon, our current competitors will be selling our whiskey to their customers!

When Angus heard that, he cackled loudly like a drunkard.

Jacob’s plan had opened doors to previously unimagined revenues that were almost immediately available to the company if only it had its own distillery.

Angus was visibly blown away by Jacob’s presentation. That was impressive, Jacob. I always thought it wad be great tae make mae own whiskey! Tis truly a Scotsman’s dream is it not? On the other hand, Esau’s plan stands on systems that be tried, tested and true, yet still offer much growth potential. I’ve got a hard decision tae make, here! He skimmed through both proposals briefly. Angus closed Jacob’s proposal having reviewed it last. I need tae think on this a wee bit. He stored the proposals on the right side of his desktop. Meet me back here on th’morrow at 10:00am. He nodded, bidding his sons go about their day.

Esau was about to get into his car, when Jacob came out to the curb where the Honda Civic was parked.

Esau!

He grumbled under his breath. What would you like, Jacob? He tried to hide his disdain.

Jacob looked over his shoulder presumably to make sure their father was nowhere nearby. That was the best you could do?

Esau fumed. Feh! Listen, you snivelling, little meshuggener: You think you’re such a maven, but your crazy ideas are gonna bankrupt our father, making our entire family destitute. What I proposed, at least, made some sense. You just sold our father a load of bobkes, blindsiding him with schmaltzy, Scottish, cultural schlock, which you knew he’d love to hear.

It’s not bobkes, ya schmuck! Did you actually pay attention? I’m obviously the one who inherited our father’s chutzpah! All you ever do is kvetch about my achievements, and plotz when someone gives you a challenge.

Esau opened the door to his car. I don’t need to listen to this bobkes! He started to climb into the driver’s seat.

You can’t run away from your problems forever, ya schmuck! Jacob stood, watching as Esau closed the door before starting his engine.

As Esau drove away, his tiny Honda Civic vanished into the distance.

Jacob reached into his pocket, taking out his own car keys. He walked up to the navy-blue Mercedes-Benz W124, in front of which Esau’s car had been parked. He stuck his key into the door of the luxurious automobile, unlocked it, jumped in, and drove away, perhaps to another enterprising pursuit.

Esau had heard about the high-flying stock trades his brother had executed in Toronto whilst in school.

Jacob had stayed with their aunt’s family, the Cohens. With the scholarship money he had been saving by not renting, he had invested in Apple Computers. He had made a killing. Whilst he had been waiting for Apple to pay off, he had studied the trading strategies of the world’s best traders. Once he’d made his money on Apple, he had begun trading penny stocks, pulling off 10% per week on average. By the time he had left school, Jacob was not only well-educated in business, he had learned how to make the financial markets dance. He was making his own money; lots of it, without even working. That’s why Jacob drove a new Mercedes whilst Esau drove a used Honda. Jacob didn’t need the CEO position in their father’s company, but he was probably going to get it.

The rich get richer, indeed. I wish I could go back in time to buy some awesome company just after it had gone public.

In the morning on the day after the reading of the proposals, once again in their father’s office the brothers met; Jacob with an air of eagerness, Esau with apprehension. Would he be doomed to serve his younger brother for the rest of his life? He vowed it would not be so.

Angus walked in casually. Guid mornin' lads! He took his seat behind his big, beautiful, oak desk.

Angus pulled up the proposals, skimming them briefly once again. He cast Esau’s plan aside with a look of apathy, thereafter looking up. How would we expand our business into Scotland?

Esau opened his mouth to speak, but never got the chance.

Jacob cut him off, whipping out yet another proposal to throw it on his father’s desk. I thought this might come up. In that Duo-Tang you will find all the detailed steps to entering U.S., U.K., Irish and Australian markets. We can even solicit importers in other countries who can handle all the legal wrangles of bringing our product into their respective markets if you so desire. It’s all in there.

Angus picked up the Duo-Tang, flipping through it whilst his eyes widened. Impressive! He continued to skim through the extended proposal. And you, Esau, will we be able to franchise our stores in Scotland?

Esau looked down at the floor in shame. I ... hadn’t thought that far ahead.

Angus looked on his elder son with the same look of scorn he had always issued when Jacob had bested Esau at something.

After slowly shaking his head, Angus lifted his glance to recount the story he’d told the boys countless times. When I came tae this country, I came with the intention of showing up yer pighead Uncle Donald with his wee tavern in Edinburgh that mae faither left him. Selling mae own brand o’ Scotch in the family tavern before mae brother’s eyes would complete mae life. Ye’ve got the reins, Jacob. Tomorrow ye start as C.E.O. of MacDuff Liquor. I wull coach ye from the board of directors as its chairman until yer distillery is built.

Jacob leapt from his chair to do a cocky, little dance of joy to Esau’s fuming glare.

And Esau: Angus turned his gaze to his eldest son. Ye shall be his Chief Financial Officer.

Esau stood abruptly from his chair. Thanks, but no thanks! He stormed out of the room to the bewildered gazes of father and brother alike.

As Esau trudged through the house on the way to the door, his mother saw the angry expression on his face. She tried to stop him.

What’s wrong Bubele? Rebecca still had traces of her old French-Yiddish accent.

Esau simply brushed past her. It’s nothing you can fix, mum. He started heading towards the door.

As he slammed it, his mother cried out to him one last time. Call me! She bowed her head, realizing that he might not have heard her. She sighed.

At that same moment, Angus walked in without Jacob. I cannae believe him! He was quite bewildered.

Rebecca looked up at her husband. ’E loves you, h’Angus. ’E really wants to h’impress you. ’E just feels h’intimidated by ’is brozzer.

I gave him the best position I could reasonably fathom.

Ze business h’isn’t what matters, right now. You’re going to lose your son h’if you don’t go h’after ’im.

Angus grumbled something incoherent before retreating to his office. Rebecca put her right hand on her left shoulder, cradling her forearm with her left hand. She bowed her head, silently shedding a single tear.

* * *

Esau threw his clothes onto his bed in anger, packing various personal effects into boxes. He’d had enough of constantly being at his father’s beck and call only to be denied his birthright. As he was packing his bags, a loud knock came at his door. Muffled shouts issued from behind the door, as the knocking became frantic.

Esau, ’tis yer faither! Angus knocked louder. Esau! He banged some more. Esau, open the door!

Esau stormed over to the door. He swung it wide. What? Esau tried not to disrespect his father.

Honour thy father and thy mother. Exodus 20:12.

Why did ye leave, Esau? I think ye an’ Jacob wull make a fine team.

Do you remember why you left Scotland?

I dinnae want tae wark fer yer pighead Uncle Donald, Esau. I ken how ye feel, but ’tis different in our family.

NO DIFFERENT!

Esau, yer grandad Donald dinnae care that I had the leadership skills required fer runnin’ a business! He gave the tavern tae yer uncle without thinkin’ it through! ’Twas mere tradition, but times ha’ changed, laddie! Tae be successful in business, ye need tae be shrewd. I cannae help but say, Jacob’s always been the innovator. Ye ken it as well as I! Angus left his mouth open to speak.

His disgruntled son cut him off once again. You promised Zadie the day you proposed to mum that we’d be raised according to Jewish tradition. It’s why he let you marry her! You just totally screwed me out of my birthright, Father! This is bobkes!

Angus bit his lip. He looked down, searching for something to say. Well then Esau, how would ye ha’ handled it?

Esau stared blankly into his father’s intensely logical, yet entrancingly melancholic grey-green eyes; his short, greying red hair creeping out from beneath a tartan beret.

It’s too late, Father. I’m going to learn from your example: Strike out on my own, seek my own fortune. Let the baby have his bottle, even if it’s filled with booze. At least he’ll be able to call it his own.

Well, dinnae hesitate tae call me if ye be needin’ advice, laddie.

Will do, Dad. Thanks for stopping by.

With that, Esau gently shut the door. Angus’ wistful eyes slowly dimmed as he continued to peer through the crack until Esau had closed it all the way.

Deep in his heart, Angus felt it would be the last time he would ever see his eldest son. The years of scorn had caught up with him. He was beginning to regret having been so harsh over the years. The stabbing click of the door before Angus’ face wrought a sudden, fleeting, wintry chill on the summer air.

As Esau went to resume his packing, he realized that he hadn’t considered where he would go. After pondering for a moment, he dialled an 11-digit number on his rotary telephone.

Good afternoon, Cohen Residence, Levi speaking.

Hi, Uncle Levi.

Uncle Levi was a self-employed intellectual property lawyer who worked out of his home most of the time.

Jacob! Shalom! Congratulations on your new job! Your mother just called me with the good news!

It’s not Jacob, Uncle Levi. It’s Esau.

I’m terribly sorry, Esau! You two sound so much alike on the phone. What can I do for you?

May I please speak to Aunt Beth?

I’m afraid not Esau, she’s still at work, but I’m sure she’d love to hear from you. Do you want the number?

Esau fumbled round quickly to find a pen.

Yeah, sure: Go ahead.

Not a problem. It’s 416-249-3387 extension 15.

Esau began scribbling the number furiously on a notepad, which he kept beside the phone.

Thanks Uncle Levi, have a good day.

Bye bye.

After hearing a click as Levi hung up the phone, Esau pushed the receiver hook down for a few seconds before releasing it to dial the number he’d been given. He was greeted by a crackling, feminine interactive voice recording.

If you have a touchtone telephone and know the extension of the party you wish to reach, please enter it now. Otherwise hold the line, and the operator will be with you shortly.

Esau looked down at his rotary dial telephone with a frown.

Why do I have to be so cheap all the time?

After about 10 seconds, a female receptionist began speaking. Good afternoon, Bank of Montreal, Weston Branch. Please hold.

Her voice was replaced by Bobby McFerrin’s voice singing ♫ Don’t worry, Be Happy ♫.

Esau stood there, listening to the infernally repetitive tune for nearly a minute.

Finally the operator came back on the line. Thank you for holding. How can I help you?

Uh, could you please put me through to extension 15, ma’am?

Certainly! One moment please. The lady’s voice was immediately replaced by the same stupid song. Fortunately, the wait was much shorter that time round.

Good afternoon, Bank of Montreal, Weston Branch, this is Branch Manager Beth Cohen speaking. How may I help you?

Beth’s accent was much more Scottish than Rebecca’s, as she had only been four years old when she had moved to Edinburgh with her family as opposed to Rebecca, who had been 16.

Hello Aunt Beth! It’s Esau. How are you?

Esau! I’m great! You never call me at work! What’s up Bobe?

Aunt Beth, I’ve decided to come live in Toronto. I’m going to need some help. I would be tremendously grateful if you could find me something to do at the bank. After all, I do have an education that would be well suited to banking operations.

Moving to Toronto? Why aren’t you taking the position your father offered you? His liquor business is growing by leaps and bounds! I even heard about your brother’s fabulous plan for a distillery!

Jacob will do fine without me. I think I might like to maybe start something of my own, but I need a springboard. I could make some good connections at a bank. Besides, do you know how many jock-redneck-cowboys there are out here? It’s like right out of a stereotype catalogue! I can’t stand it here!

Well, I suppose I can’t argue with that. Do you have a place to stay?

No, I was actually going to ask if I could stay with you until I can get my own place, seeing as your older kids are off at college.

That won’t be a problem at all. Clarice is actually back for the summer, but Malachi’s gone to Israel. He’ll be going straight back to school in September to do his Master’s. Clarice will be going back to Guelph round the same time. Of course you can stay with us!

Thanks Aunt Beth. I knew I could count on you.

You’re welcome. What’s your bank account number? Lemme wire you some money.

Oh, I think I can manage. I’m just gonna drive my car out there with my clothes.

Well, then I’ll wire it to your mother. I know you won’t say ‘no’ to her.

Please don’t, Aunt Beth. You’ve done enough already.

No! My mind’s made up. You’d better go see your mother before you leave! She’s gonna miss you, ya know.

Will do. Thanks again, Aunt Beth.

Hey, what’s family for anyway? See you soon Bobe, buhbye.

Esau put the receiver down to finish packing. When he was finished, he lay down on his bed one last time. He went to sleep without watching television or reading. He was exhausted.

In the morning, Esau drove over to his parents’ house. When he went inside, he found his mother sobbing on the couch. He calmly walked over to sit beside her.

She looked up at him. Why do you ’ave to leave? She continued to sob.

It’s what’s best, mum.

That didn’t help.

Rebecca burst out crying. h’I feel like h’our family h’is falling h’apart! h’I just got my baby back, h’and I was looking forwards to watching you boys run ze family business togezzer under your papa’s guidance. When will h’I ever see you h’again?

Esau could tell that the pain was like a stake right through her heart. That poor heart had lost so many loved ones to industrial cruelty decades ago. Once again, it was losing someone close.

Esau held his mother tightly as she wept in his arms. I’m growing up, mum. He breathed a long sigh.

She choked on a sob upon hearing that. She squeezed him tighter as she wept bitterly.

Finally, she pulled herself away. You promise to come visit me at Chanukah, Bubele. She had left her sorrow-stricken face gushing with burning tears for Esau to see how much she was hurting.

Esau looked his mother straight in the eye. You know I’ll try. He didn’t believe his own words. He wondered if she had.

His mother wept a little more, squeezing him for a few more minutes. Pulling herself away again, she reached for her purse.

She pulled out a cheque, handing it to her son as her sobs began to dry up. ’Ere, h’Aunt Beth sent me some money for you. She told me you wouldn’t take h’it, but h’I know you’ll take h’it from me.

Oh no! She shouldn’t have. Esau reluctantly took the cheque from his mother’s hand.

Be grateful, h’Esau. Spend h’it well. If you don’t need h’it, save h’it for something down ze road. If you never spend h’it, will h’it to your children, but just take h’it. h’It’s from family. We love you. A sparkle shone through Rebecca’s tear-filled eyes.

I will thank Aunt Beth when I get to Toronto. Now, I really must be going.

Esau shared another long embrace with his mother.

She shoved his arm, motioning for him to leave. Go h’on. Get h’out of ’ere you little rascal, make h’us proud.

Farewell, mother. Shalom alechem.

Shalom.

Leaving behind his old life filled with high expectations and little to no reward, Esau MacDuff made his way east to Toronto to start his new life

Return to Table of Contents

Chapter Two

New Beginning

The trip from Alberta to southern Ontario had been a long drive in a little Honda Civic. Esau had dreaded what an awful drive that would have been in the winter. Were he to return for Chanukah, he would have to fly, but he figured he’d need a car where he was going. When he had arrived in Toronto, he had had to buy a map to find his Aunt’s place.

After knocking on the door, he was greeted by his Aunt Beth, with Uncle Levi standing behind her. She was a plump woman with red-brown hair, still clad in the business attire she was wont to wear to work.

Levi was a tall, skinny, light-skinned fellow with a short, sandy brown Jew-fro. He wore large, thin-framed glasses. His top teeth almost always hovered above his bottom lip as though he were always about to speak. The pronouncement of his facial expressions mostly shone from his eyes. It seemed that by holding his mouth like that he was keeping his glasses from sliding down his nose. Levi seemed like an all-round, perpetually proud, happy man.

Why shouldn’t he have been proud? He was a successful lawyer working from home, married to a bank manager. Their kids were almost all fully grown, each with a promise of success.

Their son, Malachi was off in Israel doing field work for his Master’s degree in Communications. Their daughter, Clarice was studying to become a nurse. As for Reuben, he was frighteningly smart. That much was well known throughout the family.

Aunt Beth threw her arms into the air, inviting an embrace from Esau. Esau, Bobe! Come in! Sit down! Dinner’s almost ready. She hugged him and kissed his cheek.

With his right hand, Esau touched the mezuzah fixed to the right side of the door frame. Thereafter he kissed the spot on his fingers where he had touched the tiny scroll. He walked into the pristine home with its beautiful hardwood floors, light tan walls. Upon a throw rug in the living room to the left of the door sat a coffee table before a couch that faced the television beside a large bay window draped in lace. The aroma of lamb baking in the oven emanated from the kitchen.

Esau delighted at the smell. You made lamb? He was surprised.

You’ve had a long trip! I bet you’re starved, huh Bobe? Aunt Beth smiled.

I sure am! Where are Clarice and Reuben?

Clarice went to a friend’s house tonight. She should be home any moment. Reuben is playing on the computer in his room.

Esau heard a door open followed by the timid voice of a teenage boy.

Is Esau here?

Beth beamed a smile down the unlit corridor. Yes Bubele, Esau’s here. Come say ‘hi’.

A shadow crept down the hallway as the boy emerged. He was wearing little, round glasses, a white shirt and dark blue slacks. His curly hair was dark brown much like Esau’s. Their eyes matched as well. Esau could have sworn he was looking at his younger self with glasses.

The boy looked up timidly. Hello. He waved his right hand briefly.

You must be Reuben! Esau nodded diplomatically. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

Reuben seemed very shy. Sure. I guess I’ll see you at dinner.

Esau was at a loss for what to say. It didn’t seem that Reuben cared much for his company. Then again, it was the first time the two had ever met. Aunt Beth and Uncle Levi had visited Calgary one year very long ago when Malachi was still a baby. But the elder Cohen boy was in his twenties by the time Esau had decided to leave Calgary. Reuben had not yet been born when Esau had met Malachi two decades earlier. When Esau had been Reuben’s age, he had always been shy whenever he met new people.

Esau gave his little cousin a short nod. Indeed.

After Reuben had retreated to his room, Esau began bringing his clothes in from the car.

Aunt Beth showed Esau to his accommodations. You’ll be staying in Malachi’s room. Clarice’s room is right next door. She sometimes stays up late listening to music, so if she’s keeping you up, just tell her you’re going to bed. She’ll put on her headphones. She led Esau to a room in the basement.

Esau laid his first bag down at the foot of Malachi’s bed surrounded by posters of historic buildings in faraway lands.

He returned to his car to get another bag. As he was extracting it from the back seat, a car drove up. He heard one of its doors open, so he looked up to see who might be arriving.

An older teenage girl with brown curly hair emerged from the vehicle. Bye, Sarah! Thanks for having me over, Mrs. Goldstein. When she turned on her heel, she was startled to see Esau standing there. After overcoming her shock, she beamed a smile at Esau. You must be Jacob’s brother. Her teeth were so glaringly white, Esau thought that smile might have been a top-secret government project.

He decided to introduce himself. Indeed, I am. My name’s...

Esau! Yes, I know. Great to meet you! I’m Clarice. The girl extended her hand to shake Esau’s. Want some help carrying stuff in?

Esau sighed with relief. That would be splendid.

Clarice