Trippplets: The New Beginning...

By Paul Daze

Preaston, California is headed for a staggering shake up unlike no earthquake can create, by virtue of teen identical triplets Terrell, Derrell, and Jerrell Jenkins. However, their road to excellence is paved with many potholes to make their journey jarring and difficult. With each brother having their share of problems, Terrells troubles seem to eclipse the others by far. Being overly good-natured brands him an easy target for public harassment, ridicule, and disregard, and if that wasnt enough, the strong tie he always had with his brothers is quickly unraveling. Terrell feels obligated to preserve unity within the family, since it was the one thing the boys father routinely instilled in them, right up until the time of his mysterious death.
As Terrells optimism declines, his discovery of three mystical stones, which grants the brothers with incredible mental powers, is just the remedy to give his diminishing hope an upsurge. The stones were once owned by gifted Asian children, born over two thousand years ago, and identical triplets as well. The vitality of these extraordinary gems establishes a special meaning for both generations of triplets, and sets the course for adventure that will ultimately change the city of Preaston and mankinds lives forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Sep 5, 2017
• ISBN: 9781532007224

Paul Daze

Paul Daze was inspired to become an author when the story Trippplets miraculously appeared before him right out of thin air. After documenting this supernatural event, he then went on to create the sequels, Trippplets’ Twiiin and Trippplets’ Trippplet, keeping both tales as powerful and exciting as the original.

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Copyright © 2017 Paul Deaver.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-0716-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-0722-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016915511

iUniverse rev. date: 09/05/2017

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

BOOK

DEDICATION

To my brother, Phillip (RIP),

for rousing the creative side of me.

To my daughter, Makeeda,

for giving me the inspiration to

follow through with my dreams.

To my mother, Artency,

for believing in me

more than I believed in myself.

To God (The Alpha and Omega),

for bestowing me with a tale

to share with the world

and prove His existence.

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CHAPTER

1

A dazzling sunrise regenerated Southeast Asia with a sacred appeal, for on this day, humanity will inherit salvation through God’s compassion. The village Feng-Minya lied near Southeast Asia’s coastal waters and was commonly shadowed by the country’s greatest mountain range. Golden rays of light streaked above and between Feng-Minya’s lofty peaks and ended upon the village dwellers, who started their morning oblivious to the newborn King’s birth just hours beforehand.

Among the inhabitants of the small community, was a family of four, owning the cognomen Kito. The head of the household was a muscular, mid-twenties blacksmith named Johan, who shared living quarters with his six year old sons identified as identical triplets. Johan’s late wife, Aung San Kito, did not only miraculously bore children of the selfsameness, but of prodigy status endowed with the mental acuteness of Albert Einstein and Steven Hawkins combined.

Located at the farthest section of the village, was the Kito clan’s modest, two room, baked-brick home/shop. The work area, being the most commodious of the domicile, arrayed a generous supply of distinctive tools that validated the scope of Johan’s professionalism.

Seated on a wooden stool, Johan involved himself in a customary task, where he used metal tongs, a hammer, and an anvil to modify horseshoes. The crisp daybreak brought him temporary relief from the high temperature of an open flame, which was a necessity for forging cast iron. Johan constantly swabbed his brow from the heat and physical exertion and showed worriment each time he set his eyes upon the main entrance.

As the din of banging metal resounded throughout the room, an elderly lady stepped inside. She wore a long brown frayed dress, a black shawl, a blue headscarf, and carried a tattered, old tote bag. Mrs. Cree was her name, and she assisted in the supervision of the Kito triplets.

Johan had come to notice the old lady and with a peaceful smile, he laid down his tools and quickly rose to meet her. New dawning, Mrs. Cree, at last you are here.

I am with rue for my past due arrival, Mrs. Cree said with a raspy voice. It was a must that I unveil my harvest from the sudden cold and much labored time it took of me.

It is all well. Safe beings is the importance of you.

Mrs. Cree grew apprehensive. So, at moon, shall you be departing?

Yes, Johan dismally replied. To leave is not of my want, but to stay is of certain peril. They are getting much close to the children.

When your absence is true, I shall miss you and the lads with the great of my heart. A good man and soul you are, Johan. The torments brought upon you and your family is so not deserved. Mrs. Cree choked back her tears.

We shall miss you in return. A special mother love you have given unto my sons, which never they had the chance to possess.

Mrs. Cree glanced at the door to her rear. May I go to them?

You may. They shall be with joy to see of you.

Mrs. Cree hurried to the entry leading to the triplets’ chamber but hesitated at the threshold in deep contemplation. Her inner state was tangible by the way she displayed sad, lonely eyes for Johan, prior to making her exit. Once within the dimly lit room, she came to rest midpoint of the space. Children, she said in a hushed tone, it is I, Mrs. Cree.

Suddenly, a hidden portion of the timbered floor popped open, and the Kito brothers Akira, Hideaki, and Quon Lee scurried out of their sanctuary to happily welcome their guardian. Mrs. Cree!

Smiling, she hunkered down to simultaneously hug the kids. How are you, lads?

We are well and good, Mrs. Cree!

I bear apples for you.

Mrs. Cree reached into her bag and doled out the fruits, and the boys began to partake of them.

Anxiety struck Akira. Death is what they want of us, Mrs. Cree, and we know not why?

She became wistful. Though the knowledge of you is of great standings, your suns on earth are much innocent to conceive the horrid souls of man. Glorious children you are, with minds of pure and endless wisdom. Three gifts from the heavens above, given life to strengthen the weak and soften the hard-hearted. Dread you should be without, for no wrong have you done.

Unable to bridle her emotions, Mrs. Cree erupted into tears, and the Kito triplets consoled her with their embrace.

Come a sun, it shall, when Johan reveal to you the answers you seek. Until that time, listen and obey your papa, you must, for he is of great judgment and courage. To save you from evil’s harm, falter he shall not, for much love he have for you, and much love I have for you as well.

Much love we have for you, Mrs. Cree. The brothers held their caretaker tighter.

No longer can I stay. The harvest stall I must go to. At sun’s end, I shall return to see of you all once more. Mrs. Cree stood and dried her eyes with a handkerchief. Farewell, my children. In you, may God bless eternal bliss.

Farewell, Mrs. Cree. Gloom overcame the triplets.

Mrs. Cree lingered to mentally lock in a permanent picture of the boys, then she quietly left the room to be in Johan’s company. If the huntsmen approach, you shall hear the tolling of my bell. In the latter time of the sun, I shall return to aid you in the gathering of all your belongings.

I do thank you for the toils of many that you have done for my family and I, Mrs. Cree. We forever are grateful. May God bless you and yours.

And you alike, Johan. Disheartened, Mrs. Cree lowered her head and withdrew through the egress.

Johan barred the door with a long iron rod and subsequently, kept a close watch on Mrs. Cree through the nearest window, until she began to set up her produce on the shelves. He then cautiously scanned the landscape and was satisfied with his conclusion, before leaving to join his sons. When Johan entered the triplets’ room, he somberly beheld them eating their apples. Children, at moon we must journey.

But, Papa, why is our departure of much need? Hideaki asked. What grievous misdeed have we done to they who want to take our lives?

Johan gathered his thoughts for an answer. The kingdom ruler is much afraid of you. Afraid of the special wisdom you possess, and the special gests you can do.

Papa, did not you tell us that to withhold gainful knowledge from others, is a useless act for the one who selfishly possesses it? Quon Lee said.

Right you are, my child. Johan took a knee to directly address his sons. Let no man or no thing, hinder the will of you. For to be less of what your mind can be, devalues the greatness of what your soul is to be.

The Kito triplets listened intently.

The mind, in ways of many as the open air, is boundless, much of wonder, and begets a great yearning to explore. With true belief in your senses and spirits, all things are there for you to discover and there for you to own. Johan felt melancholic. Regretful I am, my sons. I have pilfered from you the two rewards that every child should hold honest. That of which are the gift of freedom and the gift of play and with the might of me, I shall regain them for you.

Johan’s memory was jogged. Oh yes, I have something for you. He reached inside his top vest pocket and produced three well-sculpted, pearl white, oval shaped stones and gave them a final inspection. Like of the stones I trust you do. The use of purpose-built toolings was much needed to part, form, and carve your names upon them, as you asked of me. An odd stone it was, for when I was paring it to three sizes, it left no remains.

With the stones attached to pieces of cowhide strings, Johan dangled the unique gems in front of his sons, and their faces lit up with enchantment. Once in the presence of the Kito triplets, the stones instantaneously emitted radiant hues that took Johan by surprise, and he became concerned for the boys’ safety. Nonetheless, his disturbance lessened when the jewels brought no physical injury to his sons, as they began to touch them.

Children, where did you get such a stone? Johan asked inquisitively.

Uneasiness swept over the siblings.

From the heavens, Papa, Quon Lee responded.

Johan was puzzled. The heavens?

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Quon Lee launched into a narration of he and his brothers’ encounter, which occurred on an expansive farm land at three o’clock the previous night. He depicted a scene where they held hands in a circle and spun themselves with carefree laughter, while enveloped in bronzed cereal grass that swayed in the gentle breeze.

…As Akira, Hideaki, and I gamboled in the rice field, our play came to rest, when we sighted a great star that was alive with much blaze in the west heaven. Our eyes were then at mystery to see a streak of fire rush through the air. It was our stone.

The stone’s destiny ended in the rice field, greatly touching land not distant from us, said Akira. We used cedar sticks to unearth the stone, made simple by way of its glow beneath the soil. To be just the size of a cherry plum, the stone’s blaze was as great as the star itself.

The brothers stood around the rock they excavated, while it beamed waves of colorful lights over them.

The stone appeared hot, so water we poured upon it but hazed it did not, nor did its flare dim. I up-spooned the stone with my cup, shunned its light with a lid then with haste, we returned to our shelter inside.

The darkened crawlspace was irradiated by the jewel, as the triplets sat in the lotus position around it.

Beneath the floor, the stone provided us with soothing warmth from the brisk air, said Hideaki. Latter, to our revelation, to sear of us the stone did appear, but in truth, it was calm to the touch.

The children delightfully passed the stone to one another, as it pulsated with a winsome sparkle.

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With remorse, the boys awaited their punishment.

Wrong, we know it was, to place our lives in danger when we departed our refuge, but the joy of play was only what we longed for. Are you at anger with us, Papa?

No, Hideaki, I am at peace to see you and your brothers have come upon something that has inspirited your lives with much bliss.

Luminosity increased in the stones, when Johan placed them around each of the boys’ necks.

Thank you, Papa! The brothers rapturously embraced their father, and then examined their gems with excited smiles.

Know of this, my sons, come what may, your papa have much love for you. This moon, I shall guide us towards a region of far distance. There, the triad of you may live a life of joy, much the same as the other children in our village. Just before sun’s end, I want of you all to set about the amassing of your belongings. The time of our travels shall be of great extent, but my vow to you is, it shall be of great gain.

The Kito family was abruptly drawn to a repeated clanging emanating from outside.

That is Mrs. Cree’s bell! Johan frantically cried. You must conceal at once!

The boys scampered to the entrance of their safe haven, and then Akira pressed down on a gnarl in one of the floor’s planks, which disengaged the clip for the secret door. He lifted up the entry and held it open for his brothers’ withdrawal and after they were installed, he followed behind them and lowered the cover. Once the children were shielded, Johan positioned a rug over the disguised gateway and darted to the front door to unbar it. He then took a feverish look out the window, before resuming renovation on the horseshoe.

Mrs. Cree’s crop stand was stationed in the most suitable location for her to espy all those who came into the village. While she pulled on a rope to chime her bell, she nervously observed the progression of two robust Asian men who rode their horses at an eager gait. The active natives made clearance for the serious-minded duo, as they steered their horses down the dirt road and up next to Mrs. Cree’s pack mule.

Chul-Moo, the brawnier man of the baleful pair, frowned evilly as he dismounted and stepped up to Mrs. Cree. Old woman, why must you toll that bell of our every arrival?

I see of your worth, and this old woman hopes much that you would buy a share of her harvest for the dawning. Cleansed and mature, they are, with taste that is choice of my garden.

Like of your harvest I do not, and like of your bell I do not even more. Chul-Moo used his sword to cut down the bell, then he tossed it into a nearby watering hole.

Forgive me, Mrs. Cree said with fraught. To offend you, I mean not.

Yes, but the mean to offend you, I do.

Succeeding Chul-Moo’s churlish act, he and his accomplice, Torao, set out for Johan’s place of occupancy. While the bounty hunters went forth, Torao cast an ominous look Mrs. Cree’s way, so to keep her agitation obscure, she adverted to rearranging her produce. Anticipating the advent of the huntsman, Johan was busier than ever in his work. In time, the heinous henchmen barged in Johan’s residence, and Torao instituted a chaotic search of the room.

Johan smiled tactfully. New dawning, gentlemen, how may I aid you at this time of early sun? Do the iron plates of your horses need refitted or replaced?

Chul-Moo was devilishly genial. No, no thing of such, Mr. Kito.

To what then do I owe this honor?

Why, my comrade and I were of passage and resolved to stop for a peaceful visit. No harm in that, is it now?

None it is. Voyagers are of much welcome to our village. Here you may stay at great lengths, if that is what you settle upon. Pardon of me now. My urgency is of much to conclude labor for a patron who arrival is at near. Johan wiped his face with his forearm and carried on with his undertaking.

Torao soon detected a blanket that covered a number of items in the far corner of the shop. He went over to the unidentifiable formation and pulled back the cloak to disclose various woven sacks packed with goods. Have you plans for journey, Mr. Kito?

Be I not, Johan said a bit tense. That is mere clothing the lads use to wear, which I shall be discarding before sun’s end. Now that they are with absence, no longer are the garments of need.

With eyes filled with distrust for Johan, Torao rushed to the chamber that housed the triplets. He unfastened the entrance, leaving it ajar, and disappeared inside. As Johan hammered the horseshoe, he glimpsed solicitously at the doorway Torao had passed through.

Chul-Moo moved in closer to Johan for more manipulation. Mr. Kito, you spoke of two kingsmen who seized the children ten moons ago. Is this not of truth?

Said of that, I did.

A medal design hung from Chul-Moo’s neck, and he showed it to Johan. And the men wore a medallion of this kind?

With luster not as much, but yes.

After a thorough check of the room, Torao reemerged and stood at the entry. When Chul-Moo turned to view Torao disappointingly shaking his head, he gave him a surreptitious hand signal to take up search outside. Torao nodded in response and sallied to further pursue the children.

Chul-Moo regressed to his cunningness. Mr. Kito, make of you, I can, a man of great wealth, richer than all the villagers united. Envious they would be of you, and not one sun or moon more would you have to slave and toil in meager surroundings as such. Please, tell to me if you know the whereabouts of your children.

Johan masked his exasperation. Why do you vex me, at will, with your queries of my sons’ beings? Once before, I told you that their existence is unknown to me.

With his patience wearing thin, Chul-Moo nearly lost his self-control. However, he gathered himself and reinitiated his trickery. If you hold thoughts of your sons’ lives being taken, be not of brood, for that does not interest King Zhuang, but he is displeased that he cannot meet with them. When Johan was unresponsive, Chul-Moo tried a different approach. Mr. Kito, given the lads’ failure to return, a strong, virile, young man you remain. You may wed again and more offspring you may sire and in joy you all may live. Just show me where…

Badgered to a higher level, Johan angrily threw down his tools and rose to confront Chul-Moo. To you, times over, I have said that I know not where the children are! And even if I possessed knowledge of their beings, I shall give of my final breath, before I bear that knowledge to you! Gritting his teeth and heavily respiring, Johan boldly stared down Chul-Moo.

Chul-Moo maintained a calm temperament. Wrath is not of need, Mr. Kito. That I see, within you, is a man of great bravery, standing tall as any mountain and fierce as any storm. His demeanor changed harshly. But if to give of your final breath is the desire of you,… He revealed his knife. …then I grant for you your wish! Chul-Moo coldly impelled his weapon into Johan’s stomach and kept it there, while he smiled and watched his victim gradually succumb to trauma. He then plucked his knife from Johan, and let the blood trickle from the blade’s razor-sharp edge.

Grimacing in pain, Johan clutched his puncture wound and slumped hard to his knees and tipped over to the floor, where he lay motionless.

With the thought of possibly losing the only opportunity to find the children, Chul-Moo became enraged and set about ransacking the shop in a wild manhunt for them. Where the hell are you?! You are here, I know! I can smell of you! Tell me if you are here! Answer me now, damn you! After Chul-Moo upended and destroyed almost everything around him, he realized that his furor was pointless and desisted his search.

Frustrated, he set out for the front door, when a clack came from behind him. Chul-Moo swiftly turned and rearmed himself for protection, but came to discern that the unexpected noise was generated by the family dog, which was roused due to the uproar. Relieved, Chul-Moo replaced his knife and chuckled, as he sadistically remarked the canine sniff and whimper over Johan’s lifeless body. Curious no more, he started his egression again but soon paused to take notice of the mongrel, when it turned aside and began tracking an undetermined scent. Remaining quiescent, Chul-Moo witnessed the dog snuffle its way into the adjoining room, where the children were secreted. Being careful not to spook the animal, he crept to the edge of the entry and peeked inside to catch sight of the dog pawing at the floorboards.

In their hideaway, the Kito triplets perceived the scratching above them and became terrified. Huddled tightly together, their glowing stones went faint. As the sunlight broke through the floor’s crevices, Hideaki recognized a misfunction in the spring-loaded catch, which failed to properly clasp the lid. He set in motion to manually affix the cover, only to be prohibited by Quon Lee who was afraid that his brother would be heard doing so.

Seeing enough of the canine’s peculiar behavior, Chul-Moo entered the room and knelt beside the animal. He then forcefully pushed the dog aside, causing it to yelp and bolt from the room. Chul-Moo flung the carpet away to expose more of the floor and began a meticulous combing of the wood with eye and hand contact. Discontentment set in once again, and he pounded the flooring with his fists, which echoed like thunder to the children underneath it.

More frightened, the Kito triplets bunched closer together, and held on to their stones.

Chul-Moo persistently checked the planks for any potential clue, until he chanced upon the covert’s access gnarl and unwittingly pushed it. The sound of a metallic click was distinguished, and then the trap door unlatched and slightly surfaced. A fiendish grin appeared on Chul-Moo’s face, as he inserted his finger in the knothole and raised the lid to fully uncover the Kito brothers. Firmly embracing one another, the boys trembled while they stared up at their mortal foeman.

With a look of complete gratification, Chul-Moo stood tall above the triplets and heroically expanded his chest, as he jammed his fists onto his hips. Ahhhh there you are, such a vision of pleasance. The awakening hour is amongst us. A man of much joy you have made of me. For on this sun, my little children,… He casually removed his sword that reflected flashes of light. …a man of much wealth I shall be.

Securely clutching the sword with both hands, Chul-Moo bit by bit raised it above his head. With eyes of ice and malignity in his heart, he lifted the sword, yet higher, for a mightier thrust to slay the children. Then without warning, Chul-Moo was blitzed when an iron rod rammed through his back and out his chest, ripping away skin and clothing and sending his cold blood spurting. Paralyzed in shock from the unforeseen attack, he released his weapon, and it hit the floor with a clangor before giving off a quavering effect. Sensing doom closing in on him, Chul-Moo clamped onto the iron pole, which jutted from his torso, and then slowly turned to see who had assaulted him. You, he said in a weakened voice and then plummeted to the floor, causing the trap door to secure itself from the impact.

Forced to hear the gore that had taken place overhead, the Kito triplets indistinctly wept, as their stone’s harlequin lights alternated from soft to bright at a rapid rate.

CHAPTER

2

At the present date, the first weekend of spring had sprung in Preaston, California. Preaston was centered between Los Angeles and Long Beach, and with a diversified culture, many of the punctilious citizens enjoyed a prosperous economy, attributable to the conurbation that kept the city afloat. Alongside a legion of eye-catching attractions in the urban area, sixteen year old Derrell, Jerrell, and Terrell Jenkins, the only known identical triplets in the district, were more magnetic than anything else. When speaking of human traits, that is.

Of the three brothers, Terrell preserved a deeper sense of softheartedness, yet sometimes he could’ve stood a few booster shots of mettle. For a good portion of his days, he had been habitually maltreated by all walks of life, which was perpetuated by his timorous deportment. When it came to nuisances, Terrell’s parents taught him to turn the other cheek, but as time and irritants went on, he realized that he was running out of cheeks to turn.

On this clement Sunday afternoon, Terrell and his girlfriend, Tonya Cooper, walked through the crowded spaces of Preaston’s most prominent local trade market, which greatly supplied its patrons with up-to-date music, and a host of miscellaneous new and used items. Terrell had been at the swap meet for hours and continued to stress, trying to find his brothers the ideal gifts for their upcoming birthday.

Tonya, we’ve been to almost every stand out here, and this place will be closing in an hour. I’ve looked at a lot of stuff, but I just don’t know what to get Derrell and Jerrell. These days, you can’t buy much with only twenty dollars in California.

You worry too much, Terrell. You still have three more days to find something for your brothers, and I’m sure whatever you choose, they’ll be happy with it just the same.

That’s really hard to say. It’s not that easy to pick out something that they would like, since we seldom speak to one another. We rarely do anything with each other anymore, Terrell said solemnly.

I’ve noticed you guys haven’t celebrated your birthday together in a while.

Yeah, the last time we did, it was when Daddy was alive. If he was still here, we wouldn’t be going in all these different directions. Dad was the glue that kept us together. As busy as he normally stayed, he still found time to spend with us, and always made sure that we did everything as a family. Terrell began to reminisce with a smile. I think about all the fun we use to have, when we would go swimming, fishing, hiking, and we all loved the carnival the most. Terrell’s good-humored mood shriveled to dejection. Now my brothers and I are slipping farther and farther apart, and the way things are going, we may never get it back to the way we use to be.

Tonya moderated Terrell’s disquietude by lightly rubbing his back. Terrell, I know you miss your father, and I know your brothers miss him just as much, but don’t be upset because they’re changing. Everyone changes sooner or later. That’s just the way life is. Sometimes, the reason why we don’t accept change is because thinking about all those fond memories of the past, makes us feel better when we’re down. We become so needy for the good ole’ days, that we forget to create memories for the moment, so that one day they too may become the good ole’ days. Tonya hooked her arm with Terrell’s arm. Eventually, everything is going to come together, you’ll see.

Tonya’s moral support cheered up her beau a little, as their wandering gift quest led them to a kiosk supervised by a Nigerian.

The African salesman’s name was Ubabu, and he had a nonconforming technique of peddling his wares. If Ubabu felt that there was a transaction to be made, he was cordial and nice, but if he thought not, he became cruel and nasty. While tidying up his display, Ubabu spied a lady who was in the middle of appraising a brass candlestick. Putting on his cheesiest grin, he whisked over to the woman and greeted her with the most enthusiastic accent. Isn’t it a lovely Sunday afternoon for shopping, ma’am?

I would say that it is.

Ubabu regarded the woman’s beehive hair design. And your lovely hair is to-die-for. The style and color highlights your lovely eyes.

That’s kind of you to notice.

Most women, who wear their hair like that, don’t seem to know what it takes to hold its shape. Tell me what it is that you do, to keep your hair so manageable, even when the weather is not so lovely as this?

The woman turned bubbly. You know, it’s funny you should ask, because I came across a new hair spray that’s…

Excuse me, but before you get started with your hairy tale, why don’t I go ahead and ring up that item for you, so your hands may be free to check out more of my merchandise?

Oh, that won’t be necessary. I wasn’t going to buy anything here. I’m just browsing.

Just browsing? Ubabu said irritated. Well you must not have read my sign. He took aim at a placard that notified, IF YOU WANT TO BROWSE - GET ON THE INTERNET! Ubabu then rudely plucked the candlestick out of the lady’s hand. Ouch! Look what you made me do! I almost poked a hole clean through my hand with this thing! You caused enough trouble around here! Now skit-scat, you old bat!

The woman was very stunned.

"And stop over there at The Wig Booth, and buy you some hair that doesn’t look like a doo-doo stained buzzard’s nest! Then stop by Quick Shaves and get your mustache trimmed, so people won’t think you are the man on the damn Pringles potato chips can!"

Well I never! Annoyed, the lady began stomping off.

Hey, get your husband car-wreck drunk, then maybe you will! Have a lovely day, and stop by again! With ill-will, Ubabu watched the woman vacate the area and before long, he focused in on Terrell, thumbing through a hardback.

Replicating his tawdry conduct, he hustled over to the prospective client. Good day, my good man. Ahhh yes that is an excellent book, uhh… Ubabu angled the narrative to see its name. "…yes, Blood Bath Beyond Bedlam. I have read it ten times. You are gonna love it. It has a very happy ending. Would you like for me to get you a dust jacket for your novel? They are going for just fifty cents, today and today only."

Terrell uninterestedly flipped the pages. Nahhhh don’t bother. I won’t be getting the book. The plot isn’t worthy of the title from what I read so far. This novel is nondescript. It just doesn’t grab me.

Ubabu’s hospitality was redirected. Doesn’t grab you, oh no? Well I can fix that. Ubabu loudly clapped the book close on Terrell’s fingers.

Owww! Terrell cried out, as he snatched his digits from between the pages.

How is the book grabbing you now?! If you want to read, go to the damn library! This is a place of business that can get a bad review without you! Now that spot you are standing in is for paying customers, so hit the bricks with them moon glasses you got on, looking like Steve Urkell after a glue-sniffing binge!

Terrell massaged his stinging fingers. We better leave now, Tonya. There’s nothing here for me to see.

Ubabu was miffed. Nothing here for you to see?! Those space telescopes, you are wearing, are strong enough for you to see what E.T. is thinking!

As Terrell set off with Tonya, Ubaba had some parting words for him.

Yeah, that’s right! Be out, why don’t you?! Damn trader-hater! I should bum-rush you, you crazy blood clot! He shook the book in the air. And don’t come back here until you know what action and suspense is all about!

Ubabu was then sidetracked, when he saw a young male, eyeing the cover of a game disc. He tossed