The White Gorilla: Graves Quary

By Bruce Holmberg

Asylum Falls ended with a fatal encounter with the White Gorilla at the castle, leaving Seymours friends to deal with the prospect of life without him. The White Gorilla and Rip Tile have mysteriously disappeared, Annie is headed for the hospital with Seymours body, and Big J and Matt are facing the possibility of a long stay in jail.
Graves Quary takes you on an adventure that reunites the group and adds a surprising character to the mix. The group persists in their quest for answers, while the White Gorilla and Rip Tile are in a desperate pursuit of the evil Doctor Barbara Ann. This leads to a face-to-face encounter at the castle which takes a surprising twist.
But Doctor Barbara Ann, as Rip Tile and the White Gorilla discover, is no easy target, and even with help from unexpected sources, they more than have their hands full.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 26, 2010
• ISBN: 9781462843237

Bruce Holmberg

Bruce Holmberg was born in Chicago in 1948. He spent his school years and adult life in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and is the father of four children and grandfather of three granddaughters. He is currently an owner of an advertising specialties company and has been writing stories of the White Gorilla for over thirty-five years.

Book preview

Copyright © 2010 by Bruce Holmberg.

Jacket art and design: Chris Kuchta

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

To my son Jeremy.

Who has been an ongoing inspiration

in my writing.

His dark and morbid wisdom

has helped me to understand life a little better

and the realization that maybe things are

actually as bad as they look.

So enjoy every minute,

and to my friend Tom,

who had a direct influence in this book

Prologue

Evil and evil people exist, as do good and good people. However noble your intentions may be, there are always repercussions to everything you do. The same goes for those that do evil.

When you conduct your life in a manner that only benefits you at the cost of other people’s lives or, more deeply other people’s souls, you are perhaps completely unaware of the actions you put into play by what you do.

Evil is so consuming by how good it feels that without noticing, your path of evil becomes easier so you push the envelope a bit further and then a little bit further still because it feels so good. But by doing this, those who oppose what you are doing become more adamant in their quest to stop you. Somewhere, somehow, someone is going to step forward and push back; it may seem like a small bump in the road to you, but is it?

In this world there are evil people who use others and take away what does not belong to them by using brute force, lies and intimidation to achieve their goals. They belittle others to look smarter. They hurt these people physically and mentally. They pretend to care only to find the weak spot and exploit it. They convince themselves that they deserve the wealth and security they take from others. They surround themselves with people who are afraid to stand up to them, thus emboldening them and their actions.

On the other side of the coin, there are those people who sacrifice everything they have to make the situation right. They put their lives in harm’s way because other peoples thoughts and well being are more important than their own. These same people sacrifice their time, energy and mental stability to make those around them stronger and better able to stand up to evil. They will fight evil wherever they find it and ignore the sacrifices they make in the process.

Goodness does not always win every battle, no matter how prepared it is. It is this goodness, though, that gives one faith in something far greater and nobler than evil can ever imagine. Good will unite people against evil and give them strength, a unified voice and a purpose to their lives.

I am a firm believer that evil must be stopped at all costs and the perpetrator(s) brought to justice. Some things in life are worth your sacrifice. To stand by like an ostrich with your head in the sand, pretending nothing is wrong, will only embolden those that will do evil. Evil must be stopped at all levels and at any cost.

My father lost his life in an effort to understand the White Gorilla and never saw the evil that surrounded the white gorilla, as he so blindly thought that all people were good and he had nothing to worry about. It was his childish nature to look beyond evil and see only the good, not realizing that sometimes there is an absence of good and only pure evil exists. He did not believe that there are some people with no good qualities at all and no conscience, like Zachary Olcott and Dr. Barbara Ann. The hearts of these people are pure black with a complete absence of light.

That is why my quest to help the White Gorilla continues. The more I get to know him, the more I believe that Zachary Olcott and Dr. Barbara Ann must be stopped… even if it costs me my life.

Seymour Dumple

1999

Chapter 1

The door to the lab burst open with the sound of thunder echoing in her lab. Just when are you going to be finished with that stupid machine? Barbara shouted out.

Looking up from the work table where she sat, Tabitha slowly slid the Ipod headphones from her ears and let them hang around her neck. She could see her sister was more butch today than normal and wasn’t in a mood to deal with her stupid emotions like her everybody is out to get me attitude, which was raging in full force.

If she had learned one thing in her life growing up with Barb, it was to… wait, I better change that to Barbara Anna, she hated the shortened version of her name… it was to let her get it out of her system before you answered her. She had received more than one black eye from the Wicked Witch of the East.

Excuse me, what is it you wanted? Tabitha asked in her most non-confrontational tone of voice.

You know very well what I want. I want that machine up and working so we have a way to get out of this backward town if we have to. I like modern day living where I can take a bath with preheated water and you don’t have to explain to anyone how it got preheated. If I could, I would go back to my own time every night and stay here during the day. Your incompetence is taking years off my life.

Well I’m not sure of how long this is going to take. Remember you are the one who set the time dial and here we are. If you had set it like I showed you we would be somewhere else and have the equipment I need. You may not realize it, but I have to make almost everything from scratch. Just for your information what I need hasn’t been invented yet and your last hissy fit has stranded us here till I can figure a way to fix the machine. Tabitha snapped back, forgetting that the tone in her voice could cause her some serious damage.

But she was tired of always being the scape goat for her sister, besides it had been almost 5 years since the last black eye. Of course the two broken collar bones, the broken right arm and broken little finger weren’t being figured into the equation.

Tabitha knew she was quicker than Barbara. Especially since Barbara had gained so much weight. Tabitha looked down and she saw there was a table between her and Barbara and in a real pinch there was a closet in back of her, only a few feet away which could be locked from the inside.

Tabitha tried to keep her facial expression pleasant even when her subconscious was telling her to get up and smack Barbara into the middle of next week. Her eyes roamed back and forth around the room, not focusing on anything in particular. She didn’t want to look at her sister. The sight of her 400 pound body was more than she wanted to handle at that moment.

Tabitha thought back to when they were younger and Barbara began to gain weight. She told everyone she had a thyroid condition. Thyroid condition hell, it was a Twinkie addition, and the more weight she gained the more Twinkies she ate and the more evil she became. If she was questioned about her weight gain she would have a fit and throw things against the walls and then she would tell everyone that she was going to live forever and wouldn’t shed a tear at any of their funerals.

Did you hear me? Barbara screamed and slammed her fist on the table.

Tabitha jumped back in her chair almost falling over backwards. She was lost in her thoughts and not paying attention, which was not very smart on her part but happened often when there were conversations with Barbara Ann.

I heard you, calm down for goodness sakes. You’re going to have a stroke. Like I said, I don’t know just yet. So maybe you should go and do what you came here to do. I’m sure there is a dog you can kick somewhere near.

Well, you better get off your butt and get it done, or you are going to be the one I kick. It’s been a while since I have had to give you an attitude adjustment. You have been slacking off and I need to get to some of my other equipment; I almost have my next set of test subjects. Barbara said with a nasty smile.

Tabitha watched as Barbara strutted her way out the door and only stood up when she was out of sight. She walked over to the open door and quietly shut it and slid the dead bolt on. Enough of Barbara Ann and her attitude today, she had work to do and Barbara’s mouth was making it hard to concentrate.

Sliding the ear phones in place over her ears again, she turned the volume up so she wouldn’t hear the banging on the door if her lovely sister returned. Tabitha hoped the loud music would drown out the thoughts and the pain Barb had inflicted on her all these years.

Chapter 2

Barbara stomped back to her office upstairs cussing all the way. No one understood the pressure she was under. They were all ingrates and it was always her responsibility to run their lives. They didn’t realize how good she was to them and what did she ever ask of them anyways? Nothing, well nothing much, besides their lives were of no concern. They owed her. They owed her big time.

Her office was in the northeast corner of the main floor and the sign on the door read Administrator.

She grabbed the door knob and turned it so hard that it broke off in her hand. Barbara Ann let out a string of swear words that would make a sailor blush and threw the knob to the floor. She watched as it slid over to the corner, bounced off the wall, and down the hall.

What’s the matter, afraid of me too? Barb said, watching the door knob finally come to a halt. She could feel the frustration rising in her. In fact she was half tempted to go back to the lab and twist the head off of that wuss of a sister. If only she didn’t need her, it would be all so simple.

Now what was she going to do; she thought, starring at the broken door knob. No one was around except her sister. She could feel it peaking now, all the hate, frustration, animosity and loathing. The years of repression and ridicule, they were all there now. Looking at the door, she kicked it square in the bottom center and watched in amazement as her foot crashed through to the other side.

She lost her balance and grabbed the door frame on the both sides, steadying her 400 pounds. Instead of pulling her foot out slowly she yanked it out and saw blood starting to form on her ankle where small slivers of wood were stuck. That triggered another round of swearing and a scream of frustration. She let go of the door frame and moved back a few feet and ran toward the door.

Her 400 pounds didn’t move as fast as she wanted but as her shoulder hit the door it was enough to cause the locking mechanism to tear through the framing that used to hold the door up. The door knob on the other side of the door went flying and hit a vase on a table, shattering it into a million pieces. It was if a hand grenade went off, pieces of glass went everywhere. The door swung open so hard the top hinge snapped off and the door hung at an angle.

Barbara stood up from her crouched position and squared her shoulders the best she could and stormed over to her desk. She pulled the chair away from the desk, brushed a piece of glass off it and sat down. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. She had to calm down.

She looked down at her ankle and saw the blood had already stopped. She bent over to pull the slivers of wood from her ankle but her fat stomach got in the way. She tried to raise her leg but that was even more difficult. Just wonderful; the wood splinters would just have to stay there until she saw Tabby.

The phone began to ring. Barbara sat back in her chair and picked the phone up. Lifting the receiver off the hook she raised the base with its mouthpiece to her mouth.

Hello.

There was no answer.

Hello.

She hated this old time technology. There was no volume control and every call went through a switch board in town. The operator at the switch board probably didn’t put the plug in all the way again. Frustration was raising its ugly head again so she took another deep breath.

HELLO She screamed.

Oh… hello. This is Reverend Speeks. I was wondering if I could stop by today and go over a few things.

Go over what things? Barbara said in her nicest voice.

Remember our conversation from yesterday? You wanted to know more about our orphanage and if we needed some help.

Oh, I remember. How about two o’clock this afternoon and could you bring a couple of the children with you. I love children so much. Barb made herself gag on that one. Children were good for one thing and one thing only she thought.

Why yes, that would be perfect. See you then. Goodbye.

Barbara hung the receiver up on the phone and grabbed her head with both hands. She rubbed her forehead and temples because she could feel a headache coming on.

As she rubbed her eyes with her fingers she tried to remember why she had chosen this place of Graves Quarry in the first place. She had other laboratories in other places and times. This was a small town, perhaps 200 people, mostly men. They worked the open quarry for granite.

The town made headstones for the cemeteries throughout the West and was now a thriving community. They had a saloon, barber shop and dentist, doctor’s office, hotel, general store, church and a makeshift orphanage. The orphans came from the stone cutters that were killed doing their job.

The flu had come through town a few years back and a number of the women died, leaving the men to raise the children. So an orphanage had to be set up in a vacant building to care for the parentless children.

That’s where Barbara came in. She showed up one day with her sister and set up a school in an old building on the outskirts of town. The townspeople helped build an addition to it so they could have a few classrooms instead of just one. The addition was done now and the school was ready to open.

The townspeople thought the world of Barbara Ann. She had told them her new ideas of teaching kids and of making sure they accepted responsibility for their actions. She even had convinced the people that the orphaned children should live at the school. Everything was going as planned, almost.

Soon her new test subjects would be showing up. So what if a few of them disappeared? It’s not like children had never run off from an orphanage before. Only this time they were not going to be found and returned.

Things were beginning to look up after all. Her headache began to fade. Now she just had to get someone to clean up the mess she had made in her office.

It was time to call Clyde. He was a custodian type handyman, a wimpy little guy she could boss around. Never gave her any lip and always said yes, Ma’am. No Ma’am. He was a little slow, which is probably why he stayed around. Of course the free bed and food helped since he wasn’t being paid.

Barbara got up from her chair, walked over to the open door and let go with a scream.

CLYDE!

She could hear him off in the distance yelling back. I’m right here, ma’am. I’m coming

Only if her sister showed her this kind of respect. Someday she will, Barbara thought.

Clyde came running down the hall towards her office. Yes ma’am. I’m here. What do you need?

He never looked up at her. He starred only at the floor.

I want you to clean this mess up before the preacher comes here at two o’clock. Don’t worry about replacing the door, take it down and set it against the wall until he has left. Then pick up the broken pieces and sweep the glass off the floor.

Clyde looked at Barbara’s ankle. Ma’am, you have been hurt. Let me clean and bandage your ankle. Please sit down and I’ll get some water and bandages.

Barbara couldn’t believe it. A total stranger offers to help her. Tabitha should see this, Barbara thought. Then she would realize what an ingrate she really was.

That would be great, Clyde. My sister refused to help me. She said she was too busy.

Barbara watched as Clyde ran off to get the water and bandages. As soon as he was out of sight she walked back to her desk and sat down. She again tried to put her foot up on the desk but the pain she felt wasn’t worth the effort.

Only a few minutes had passed and Clyde was back and groveling at Barb’s feet.

Here, let me help you lift your leg onto the desk.

His touch was gentle and caring. He placed a towel under her calf and gently pulled the splinters from her ankle. He took a cloth, wetted it, and wiped off the blood. Then he wrapped her ankle in some white cloth and pinned it shut.

I hope that is OK? Clyde said.

It’s fine, now get this mess cleaned up and be on your way. Barb could feel her anger rising again. A few minutes of that spineless, pathetic, weak-willed man were enough to last a week if not a lifetime. Why she let him stay there could only be chalked up to the moment of weakness when she had met him and let him stay on as a handyman.

Barb sat back in her chair and closed her eyes. She did her best thinking this way. She had that appointment with the preacher in a few hours and had to be ready for him. She had to have those kids, and the sooner the better.

Chapter 3

Reverend Speeks, May I have a few moments of your time? Sister Agnes asked. Her voice was shaky and she could barely get the words out.

Of course, let’s go to my office where we can have a little privacy.

Reverend Speeks liked Sister Agnes; she was perhaps the only one in the church that would tell him what they really thought. She was gentle with her criticism. The old saying it’s not what you say; it’s how you say it. That was perhaps the best way to describe Sister Agnes; always diplomatic.

Sister Agnes walked a few steps behind Reverend Speeks, trying to keep her courage up. She was just an ordinary woman who enjoyed helping the children at the orphanage. Who was she to cause a problem? Everyone called her Sister Agnes because that is what the Reverend called her. He called everyone Sister or Brother. So the name kinda stuck.

Sister Agnes knew she could talk honestly with the Reverend and was not afraid of being chastised or belittled. He would always listen to her thoughts and ideas and would then sit back in his chair and run his fingers through his hair. He would sometimes stare at the ceiling and hum a church song quietly. Then sit straight up in his chair and tell her what he thought.

She had a feeling that this time was going to be different. What she had to tell him was more of a gut feeling and was not based on anything she could prove. Her gut feelings had always served her well and this one was a doozy.

They entered his office and the Reverend offered Sister Agnes a chair. Now what seems to be on your mind today, Sister Agnes?

The Reverend walked around his desk, grabbed his chair and dragged it around the desk so he could sit in front of Sister Agnes. He didn’t want the desk between them; they were friends.

Well… I have this feeling. Sister Agnes started.

Oh, a feeling you are having. Might I suggest a little seltzer water and lemon? That will settle the stomach. You didn’t have to ask my permission for that. Reverend Speeks tried not to smile.

You know what I mean, Reverend. I have this feeling in my stomach and I am worried.

Worried about what? Did something happen that I don’t know about?

No… nothing like that. It has to do with your meeting at the new school with that Barbara something or other. Sister Agnes had all she could do to keep her voice calm. Every time she thought about Barbara she wanted to scream and curse. There was nothing good about that woman and she was afraid of her.

The Reverend sat forward and laid his hand on Sister Agnes’s hands and spoke very softly as if he were talking to someone in Church. Sister Agnes… what are you trying to say? Did Barbara Ann say or do anything that I should know about?

It’s not like that. It’s… Sister Agnes’s voice trailed off and she starred at the floor not able to look the Reverend in the eyes.

It’s what?

I don’t know how to say it. It’s going to come out all wrong and you will think I’m a bad person and I can’t let that happen. Sister Agnes began to choke up and felt that she was going to start to cry.

The Reverend patted her hands and said Calm down, its OK. You know I would never think badly of you. Now tell me, what’s going on?

Well… I was up at the school a few weeks ago. You know when they were finishing up on the addition. I was sweeping up the sawdust in one of the rooms and I could hear her yelling. Sister Agnes stopped talking and gave a little sniff, her nose was beginning to run and tears began to well up in her eyes.

Yelling? Who was she yelling at?

I think it was her sister. The things she said were awful. No one in their right mind would say things like that. Sister Agnes cleared her throat and continued. She said things that I didn’t understand. She used words that I had never heard before. It was like she was from another time or planet.

"Slow down Sister Agnes. What kind of things did she say?’ The Reverend took his hand away from Sister Agnes and began rubbing his knees instead.

She said something like… constructing a black hole so they could get back to their own time and her sister was complaining about the absence of proper equipment and she had to reinvent the wheel.

"What else did you hear?’

Barbara just kept yelling that she was going to die of old age before her sister was done fooling around. She had to have her equipment from Asylum Falls or something like that. Sister Agnes was getting confused now, she knew what she heard but couldn’t remember all the words because she had never heard them before that day.

Sister Agnes, things are going to be alright. You might have misunderstood a few things, and you know how it is when people are mad and yelling at one another, words get mixed up and…

Reverend, I know what I heard. They are not good people. Not like you. You don’t have a mean part in your whole body and that Barbara; she throws things and breaks things. She even talks bad to Clyde. No one should talk bad to Clyde. Sister Agnes stopped for a moment, her mind consumed with Clyde. She really liked him, he was a little slow in the head but he was gentle and kind. She had a special spot in her heart for him.

I’m sure Barbara Ann had her reasons for talking to Clyde like she did. Not everyone is like you, Sister Agnes. Besides Clyde is a grown man and can handle himself just fine. Now is there anything else that you want to tell me? The Reverend sat quietly and waited.

Yes.

Well what is it? Don’t be afraid.

Well I saw Barbara Ann’s sister in her work room and she had these funny things in her ears with a cord going from them to a small box. I think she referred to it as an Eye Pod. If it has something to do with her eyes then why is it stuck in her ears? Also, when she has it on she always sings or makes an attempt at it anyways. I’m so confused. Sister Agnes closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Reverend Speeks saw this was hard for Sister Agnes and tried to explain what he could. He knew she was seeing something that she did not understand but it was probably nothing.

Sister Agnes. Why don’t you go and get David and Sarah ready. I want them to accompany me to the school this afternoon for the meeting. Reverend Speeks thought this would get her mind off this and onto other things. He watched Sister Agnes just sit there and did not seem to hear a word he said. Sister Agnes! Did you hear me?

Without saying a word, Sister Agnes got up and walked towards the door. She stopped a few feet away and, upon opening the door, she turned around and said You are going to be sorry you took the children with you. Her voice was cold as ice.

Chapter 4

Tabitha jumped as the door to her lab shook from someone rapping loudly. She slipped her Ipod off her ears.

Who is it? Tabitha yelled, knowing all to well it was her crab of a sister.

Loud raps again rang out in her lab.

I asked who is it?

Still nothing and Tabitha could feel her stomach tightening. That’s all she needed right now, more distraction. Why couldn’t her sister leave her alone?

Miss Tabitha, open the door.

That was a strange voice. It wasn’t Clyde. So who could it be? A heavy rap shook the door again. Open up or we will have to break it in.

Tabitha walked over to the door and stood to the side. She reached her hand out to unbolt the door and stopped. I asked who it is.

We are your guards. Dr. Barbara Ann hired us to guard you and your laboratory.

What are you talking about? Barbara Ann never said anything to me about this. Why should I believe you? Tabitha was getting nervous. What had her sister done that these men were at her door?

Slowly Tabitha unbolted the door and watched as it opened, expecting to be killed, or worse yet, see her sister standing there. There stood three big men and they were huge; all over six feet tall and 250 pounds. They each carried a Winchester rifle and had a pistol on their hip.

What is this all about? I want answers and I want them now or I will have to throw you all out of here. Tabitha looked up at the man closest to her and watched as he gave her a little smirk. I mean it.

We are here on your sister’s orders. She wants us to stand guard outside your laboratory, and to get whatever you need to finish your work.

Oh that’s great, now I have more people that don’t know anything keeping me from doing what I am supposed to do. Tabitha’s mind raced as she tried to digest all this.

Okay, if that’s what you are supposed to do, then do it. Just don’t bother me. Now get out of here Frustrated and angry at her sister, Tabitha stomped away.

She had her back to the door and heard it shut. Now maybe I can get something done. She turned around to make sure she was alone.

Tabitha reached for her Ipod; her mind already on the problem at hand with the time/matter transporter.

Chapter 5

Hey, snowflake. Rip yelled. He wanted to get the White Gorilla’s attention and this was a sure way of doing it. He always hates it when I call him snowflake he thought to himself. He snickered and let out a yell, Snowflake, I’m talking to you.

The White Gorilla just sat there with his back against a tree not moving or paying attention to Rip. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, birds were chirping and there were no people around.

Rip casually walked over to the White Gorilla and said Where exactly do you think we are?

The White Gorilla ignored Rip.

OK, I guess I deserve the silent treatment. I should never have called you snowflake, snowflake. Rip chuckled a little and kicked some dirt in the direction of the White Gorilla. We’ve been together a long time and you never told me what to call you. So snowflake is going to have to do.

The White Gorilla brushed the dirt from his leg and gave Rip a dirty look. He knew Rip was fooling around, but some things have their time and place and this was neither of them. Besides, whom did he think he was kicking dirt on?

Come on Big Guy… . Rip sat down next to the White Gorilla. I’m sorry.

More than you will ever know

Holy cow, you spoke to me, you found your voice; I thought I was going to have to do all the talking from now on. Rip studied the White Gorilla’s face. The big guy must be worried about something, usually there was no shutting him up. Of course all he ever talked about was Barbara Ann and what he was going to do to her when he got his paws on her.

Rip thought about Dr. Barbara Ann and her sister and feeling sorry for them was not one of the emotions that came to mind. It was more like pity and they would both deserve what they got.

Come on Snowflake, where are we? You set the controls.

The White Gorilla gave an immense roar and hit the ground with both fists causing Rip to bounce on the ground. When are you going to stop calling me snowflake?

OK, OK, already. I’m sorry. What do you want me to call you then?

Sir has a nice ring to it.

Oh, very funny. How about I call you say…

My name is… A large explosion rocked the air around them and they both hit the ground, looking all around for a hunting party or something.

What was that, Rip? The White Gorilla was in sensory overdrive. The fur was up on his back and he tilted his head from side to side trying to determine the direction of the explosion.

It sounded like an explosion. It came from over that hill. Rip was already up on his feet and headed towards the hill.

Hey, don’t go there. You don’t know what you’re running into. Let me back you up. I have the speed and strength.

Of course Rip didn’t slow down a bit and kicked it into hyper drive. He was at the top of the hill by the time the White Gorilla took a step.

Now where is he? the White Gorilla mumbled to himself. He’s going to get himself hurt one of these days. He straightened up to full height and looked in the direction he had seen Rip head off to. He could just see the top of Rip’s head behind a boulder at the top of the hill.

Rip looked around the rock and saw an open pit mine. There were perhaps fifty people working there. The dust was just beginning to settle after the explosion and Rip started to see the full extent of this place. It was huge.

He turned around and motioned for the White Gorilla to come and watched as he lumbered his big body up the hill. It amazed him how few steps it took for the White Gorilla to cover a lot of ground.

Rip motioned with his hand to get on the ground and stay low. The White Gorilla crawled up beside Rip and looked around the rock. So this is how the town got its name.

What are you talking about?

"Rip, let me introduce