The Final Chapter

By Furnando Powell

This is a story about a man who was sentenced by a queen to die on the desert for doing what he thought was right and about a queen who would do anything to save her kingdom from the people who wanted ither enemies even her friends. Read how the treachery and deceit unfolds to consume the innocent as well as the wicked. No one will be left unscathed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524526023

Furnando Powell

First of all, I give all honor to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Without him, there is no me. My name is Furnando Powell. I was born and raised in Oklahoman. There is no sooner or cowboy, just Oklahoma. I am the oldest of six, a graduate of John Marshall high school, a United States marine, a husband, a father, a grandpa, and a true lover of life and nature. And I’m a true believer that every day is a good day, if you believe.

Book preview

Copyright © 2016 by Furnando Powell.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2016911584

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5245-2604-7

                Softcover        978-1-5245-2603-0

                eBook              978-1-5245-2602-3

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.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 07/20/2016

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

734263

Mr. P: The Final Chapter

Characters

Narrator

Mr. P

Queen

Cedric, captain of the guard

Ann

Turrann

Lynn

Dale, captain of the desert rats

Auctioneer

Papa

Guard 1

Aisha

Guard 2

Kristin

Jimmy, new captain of the guard

Captain Al

Mr. Duke

Mr. Nate

Drunk guard

Mr. C

Old slave

Mayor Fatman

Shira

Touché

On Shea

Rob

Maiden

Tavon

Doc

Leading warrior

NARRATOR. When we

last left Mr. P, he was being left on the desert by the Queen and her men for what he had done at the city.

QUEEN. Since you nearly destroyed my kingdom, I’m going to give you a kingdom that will destroy you! But you will own yours for the rest of your life. You’ll be the king, the servant, and the peasant! Now I leave you to your kingdom.

NARRATOR. The Queen quickly raised her hand and motioned for the driver to drive off, leaving Mr. P on the desert alone for the rest of his life, which would be about three days at the most. Mr. P began to wander through the desert.

Now the Queen sat riding on her our way back to her kingdom in deep thought, wondering how she could save her kingdom now that Mr. P had let the brain escaped. The brain was the only person who knew how to produce the energy to keep the city full of power and keep her kingdom safe, but now that he was gone, what would she do?

Now she wasn’t the only one with the lot on her mind. On another part of the desert, the captain of the guard was on his way back to the city from another successful mission. He also sat in deep thought because he knew the Queen wasn’t going to give him a fair deal after he had gone out and risked his life, and all she had to do was to sit on her butt and watch the goods come in and take whatever she wanted. He was getting tired of this, but he knew his day would come and he wouldn’t have to take a backseat to the queen any longer. And so they rode on.

Hours later, back with Mr. P on the desert, the sun was starting to take its toll. Mr. P began to stagger every now and then, but he continued to walk on. Hours later, Mr. P was starting to stagger as if he were drunk. Two more hours of sunlight, then he would have to deal with the cold nights of the desert where the temperature could drop to thirty degrees or even colder if the wind picked up. Legend has it that if you’re on the desert for more than two days without food or water, just before death, you would go crazy.

Now dizzy from the heat, Mr. P fell to the desert floor face-first. With a face and a mouth full of sand, he rolled over to one side and spat the sand from his mouth. He hesitated for a moment to try to gather some strength. Now he began to pull himself to his knee then staggered to his feet. He felt a slight bump at his foot, and he glanced down and noticed that it was a partially covered piece of glass. He started to walk on, but he got an idea—maybe he could use it later. He uncovered the rest of the glass to discover that it was an old pop bottle. He picked it up and took it along with him. He wandered on.

Back at the city, the Queen has just arrived. A small crowd of people gathered around to see the brain’s return, but to no avail—he was gone. Someone yelled out.

PERSON 1. Where is the brain?

PERSON 2. What will we do now?

NARRATOR. Panic swept through the small crowd of people. There was no doubt that it would be all over the city by nightfall. The Queen quickly got out of her sidecar and made her way to the castle without answering any questions. She would have to come up with something soon before her kingdom collapsed around her. Once inside, she shouted to one of her servants.

QUEEN. Run me a bath!

NARRATOR. This would give her time to relax and think. Just outside, the captain of the guard was pulling into the city and noticed the crowd of people around the castle’s front door. He was totally confused. When he pulled up to the castle, he got out of his sidecar and quickly snatched the first person passing by.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD. What the hell’s going on around here?

PERSON 1. Th-the… Queen has let the brain escape.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD. What!

PERSON 2. We’re all doomed!

NARRATOR. The captain of the guard pushed him aside, almost pushing him down. He was very angry. Then it hit him—the perfect idea, and what perfect timing! He dusted some sand away from his shoulder with a slight smirk on his face. He then shouted.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD. Outta my way!

Narrator. He then pushed his way through the crowd. He knew what he needed to do. He just needed time to see what was the Queen’s plan before he acted.

Back on the desert, the sun had almost gone down. Fully exhausted, Mr. P stumbled to his knees, hesitated for a moment to rest, then realized that night was almost upon him and the temperature had started to fall. He started to dig, pausing every now and then to rest. Before too long, he had dug a shallow grave. He then removed his belt buckle and took the bottle he found and firmly but cautiously began to tap on the bottom, turning the bottle in a circular motion, tic, tic, tic, tic, kroc. The bottom of the bottle fell off. He then stuck the end into the sand to try to remove the loose pieces of glass. He then placed the other end to his mouth and began to blow the remainder of the sand from the bottle. And now into the shallow grave he went, beginning to bury himself starting at his feet and working his way up. When he made his way to his waist, he took off his shirt then took the bottle and placed it into his mouth. He then took the shirt and placed it over his face to keep the sand out and the other part over the bottle to act as a filter. He then covered the rest of his body, just leaving part of the bottle and shirt that covered it exposed. The warm sand felt good all over that he settled in to try to sleep or just rest.

Back at the city, the Queen had just finished her dinner when she shouted for a guard.

QUEEN. Guard!

NARRATOR. In no time at all, a guard appeared.

GUARD. Yes, my Queen?

QUEEN. Have the trumpeters assembled! I have an announcement to make.

GUARD. Yes, my Queen.

NARRATOR. In no time at all, the trumpeters were assembled. They began to blow their trumpets, tamumm, tamumm, tamumm. The trumpets quit playing, and people started to assemble in the square. The Queen made her way to the balcony and began to speak.

QUEEN. My people of the city! Hear me! I have called you together tonight to let you know we have lost the brain who produces energy for the city.

NARRATOR. The crowd began to talk among themselves. She quickly silenced the crowd.

QUEEN. Silence, silence! There’s no need to panic! I have someone coming who can produce energy for the city, but it will be one month before he arrives. But I would rather share it with one of you! That’s why I have a proposition for someone, anyone of you, who can produce energy for the city. Before he arrives, you will share the wealth of the city with me, I’ll give you power and so many riches.

NARRATOR. That kind of eased the tension of the crowd until someone yelled out.

PEASANT. What about the desert rats?

NARRATOR. The desert rats were a large band of cutthroats and thieves to whom life meant nothing to them.

QUEEN. The city will protect us from the desert rats!

PEASANT 2. How!

NARRATOR. The crowd started to agree with the question.

QUEEN. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, you!

NARRATOR. She pointed to the man who had asked the question.

QUEEN. You must be new around here, a lot of you must be new around here. A long time ago, they tried to take my city, but the city drove them back. We didn’t lose one single soul that day. A lot of you remember that day, but for those who don’t know, I’ll show you power! I’ll show you what the city will do to any rat or anybody who tries to take my kingdom. Captain of the guard!

NARRATOR. The captain of the guard appeared.

QUEEN. Have them make ready the city!

NARRATOR. The captain of the guard left the room. In no time at all, there came a low rumble as if a storm was approaching that grew louder and closer. The two big gates swung open.

QUEEN. My people! Look to the east.

NARRATOR. The captain of the guard appeared back into the room and made his way to the balcony. The queen nodded her head. The captain of the guard raised and lowered his right arm, and a sudden flash of lightning left the city, eastbound, and hit a sand dune nearly half a mile away and exploded on impact, creating a light greenish mist.

QUEEN. That mist you see is a poisonous gas. If the explosion doesn’t get them, the poison will! So you can leave the safety of the city and face the desert rats or stay and prosper in the city as we’ve done in the past. The decision is yours.

NARRATOR. Upon saying that, she turned and walked away, leaving the crowd speechless until someone shouted.

PEASANT 3. We’ll take on the desert rats! Or anybody!

NARRATOR. And the people in the square began to show their full support as they shouted, whooped, and cheered. This left the Queen feeling secure for the moment.

But sitting back watching everything was the captain of the guard. He now knew the Queen’s plan—she didn’t have one. There was no such a man, and if there was, why didn’t he know about him? She was just bluffing, he thought, but now was the time to put his plan into effect. He would have to wait until the Queen retired to her chambers for the night so she wouldn’t be suspicious or miss him.

Later that night, he made his move to the garage where he came into an encounter with one of the guards.

GUARD. Halt! Who goes there!

NARRATOR. The captain of the guard heard him but didn’t reply.

GUARD. Halt or I’ll shoot!

NARRATOR. Upon hearing that, the captain stopped.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD. What the hell do you mean you will shoot! Don’t you recognize your superior!

GUARD. Well… well yes, sir…

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD. Quiet, you shithead!

NARRATOR. The guard stood motionless, then the captain caught himself.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD. Uh, forgive me for being angry. I have a lot on my mind, and I shouldn’t be mad at you for doing your job, and a damn good job you’re doing. Tell you what, I want you to take off. Go to the square and have a nice time for doing such a good job. If you have any problems, send them to me.

GUARD. Yes, sir, thank you, sir!

NARRATOR. The guard started to leave.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD. Hold up there! Give me your cape, I think I’ll ride around and check on the other guards and see if they’re as sharp as you are.

NARRATOR. And with that, the guard gave him his cape and left for the square. The captain took off his cape and rolled it up and put the guard’s cape on. He thought to himself that this was a good idea. Now he could go to the city without being recognized. He made his way to the gate. He knew he would have to drive hard and fast to reach his destination, wherever it may be, and be back by morning before the Queen awoke. At his last report, he had heard that the desert rats were seen around Sector T, which was about two hours’ away, so he rode hard and fast.

After two hours of driving, he knew he might come in contact with the desert rats at any time if they were still in Sector T. After fifteen minutes of more driving, he knew they were not in Sector T. They could be anywhere, and his time was running out. He had to get back to the city, when all of a sudden, he was completely surrounded by desert rats.

DESERT RAT GUARD. Well, what do we have here? Ha-ha-ha, looks like one of the dogs has gone astray from the pack. Too bad, kill him! We’ll take the sand cart and his clothes and everything else.

NARRATOR. In no time at all, there was a knife at his throat. He quickly grabbed the desert rat and reversed the situation. Before anyone else could assist the desert rat, he spoke out.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD. Hold it, you worthless pieces of shit! Do you know who I am! I’m the captain of the city, and I didn’t come out here to play games. I have a business proposition for Turrann.

NARRATOR. Turrann was the leader of the desert rats.

DESERT RAT. It’s a trick!

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD. It’s no trick nor trap! You mean to tell me that one man sent fear through the so-called mighty desert rats? Uh-uh! Besides, if I’m to die, I would want someone with power like Turrann to take my life—a real man! So I could die with dignity. There is no dignity in dying by a group sandworms.

NARRATOR. Upon saying that, one of the desert rats drew his saber and lunged at him, but was stopped by the leader of the group.

DESERT RAT. Hold it! We’ll take him to Turrann and let him plead his case to him, and if he doesn’t like his so-called proposition, he’ll get his wish for Turrann to take his life, and that’ll be after we get finished with you! You’ll beg Turrann to take your life. Blindfold the dog and we’ll take him to camp.

NARRATOR. So they put a blindfold on him and put a leash around his neck, and they rode off to the camp. When they arrived, they were greeted by other desert rats. They made their way through the crowd to Turrann’s large tent at the center of the camp. Once there, Turrann came out of his tent; he was a large man. The leader of the patrol pushed the captain to his knees. The captain quickly turned and punched the leader in the stomach, slightly knocking the wind out of him. Several other desert rats started at the captain, but the captain quickly turned to Turrann.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD. You’ll never take the city if I die, Turrann!

NARRATOR. Turrann quickly raised his hand, stopping his troops.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD. Do you think I would come all the way out here alone if I didn’t have valuable information!

NARRATOR. The captain of the guard snatched the rope that was attached to the leash around his neck from the guard and slowly made his way to his feet. Turrann now looked eager.

TURRANN. What about the city?

NARRATOR. The captain of the guard now dusted the sand from his clothes.

TURRANN. What about the city!

NARRATOR. The captain of the guard now looked at Turrann.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD. I will tell you, provided we have a deal.

TURRANN. You’re in no position to make a deal!

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD. And you’re in no position to take the city!

NARRATOR. Turrann hesitated for a moment.

TURRANN. You better have some damn good news.

NARRATOR. Turrann stepped to one side, opening his tent. The captain of the guards walked in and Turrann followed.

TURRANN. Something to drink?

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. I didn’t come to drink.

TURRANN. Aw, strictly business. I like that. So what kind of deal do you have to offer?

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. I’ll show you and provide the equipment to defeat and take the city in exchange for 25 percent of all the riches, and you’ll have the city and 75 percent of all the riches.

TURRANN. That sounds good, but how do I know this isn’t a trick to defeat us?

Captain of the guards. You don’t, but this is where the trust comes in. Besides, I’ll be with you all the way. Do we have a deal?

TURRANN. Not so fast, what kind of equipment are you talking about?

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. Get the side bag from my sand cart, and I’ll show you.

TURRANN. Guard!

NARRATOR. A guard appeared.

TURRANN. Bring in the bag from his sand cart.

NARRATOR. And he did. Just about the time the captain of the guard got the bag, Turrann quickly took it.

TURRANN. You can never be too safe.

NARRATOR. He looked into the bag and removed a gas mask.

TURRANN. Is this the equipment that’s going to save us from the city? Is this some kind of a damn joke!

NARRATOR. Anger filled his face.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. Wait, hear me out! With the proper usage, this mask will protect you and your men from the city, and I’ll provide enough to equip all your men.

NARRATOR. Turrann now took a seat. Still unsure, he started to think. The captain continued to explain.

Captain of the guards. All we have to do is keep your men scattered far apart so that the explosion on impact won’t be severe, and this mask will protect us from the poisonous gas.

TURRANN. Yes, I’m familiar with this poisonous gas. I lost two brothers and a lot of good men when we tried to take the city before, and I made a vow that one day they would pay! If I agree, when can I expect these masks?

Captain of the guards. In one day I will have four of my men in sand carts carry these masks to Sector I for storage. Have your men intercept them in Sector G—make sure they don’t escape.

TURRANN. Uh, they won’t.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. Then I’ll train your men how to use the mask. I’ll show you now.

NARRATOR. Upon saying that, the captain showed Turrann how to don and clear the mask.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. I will meet you in Sector C on the second night. And we shall take the city… Do we have a deal?

TURRANN. If what you say is true, we have a deal, but this better not be a trick or I’ll skin your ass alive.

NARRATOR. They shook hands. The captain was relieved to hear the good news, knowing his life would be spared.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. I’ll take that drink now.

NARRATOR. The captain drank it down quickly.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. I must be on my way back before I’m missed.

NARRATOR. Turrann escorted him outside the tent where his men were waiting.

TURRANN. Let him pass.

NARRATOR. And they all stood aside.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. Until then, my friend.

TURRANN. Until then!

NARRATOR. Turrann turned and went back inside his tent. The captain got into his sand cart and sped off back to the city. When he arrived back at the city, you could see the orange-colored rays of the sun making their way beyond the sand dunes. He rushed in so the Queen wouldn’t suspect anything.

Back on the desert, we find Mr. P rising from his shallow grave. He had made it through the night, but to make it through the day without food or water would be the toughest of tasks. When he gathered his strength of what little he had, he gathered his shirt and slowly began to get to his feet when he noticed the old pop bottle. This had saved his life once and might save his life again if he made it through the day, so he picked it up and wandered on.

Back at the city, the Queen hadn’t been up too long. She pulled the tassel at the side of her bed, and upon that, a servant entered the room.

QUEEN. My breakfast.

NARRATOR. The servant nodded her head and left the room. The Queen eased her way out of bed, feeling good about last night knowing her people were going to stay. She walked over to her dresser, opened a door, and pulled one of her favorite gems of many and watched the reflection from the sun. All of a sudden, her door opened. She went to reply.

QUEEN. That was fast!

NARRATOR. When she turned around, she saw that it was the captain.

QUEEN. What are you doing here! Don’t you know how to knock!

NARRATOR. The captain walked on in.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. Hey, Queenie baby.

QUEEN. What’s this Queenie baby shit?

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. Now that’s no way to talk to your new business partner.

QUEEN. Oh, so the brain taught you how to produce energy for the city.

NARRATOR. A pleased smile came to her face. The captain was now pouring himself a drink.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. No.

QUEEN. Then what the hell are you talking about!

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. I’m talking about my share of the city!

QUEEN. You don’t know how to produce energy for the city, you don’t have a damn share!

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. But that’s where you’re wrong! You see, I helped you build this place when it was nothing, and all you’ve ever done is treat me like dirt. It was me risking my life to protect your honor, keeping you in power, and you never once even thanked me! So you see, half of the city should be mine!

NARRATOR. The captain took his drink and walked over to the Queen.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. Marry me, and make me king of the city.

QUEEN. I don’t even love you.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. What’s love got to do with it? Together, we’ll share and rule the city.

NARRATOR. He then took the Queen by the hand.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. I’m willing to lay my life on the line for you.

NARRATOR. The Queen sharply snatched her hand away.

QUEEN. What makes you think I’d be willing to share my kingdom with you or anyone? I don’t need you to do a damn thing for me. I could have you replaced just like that.

NARRATOR. The Queen snapped her finger.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. I don’t think you want to do that.

QUEEN. Huh, why not?

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. Then I’d have to tell everyone our little secret.

QUEEN. What secret!

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS. About how much energy the city has or how long it’s going to last, especially if no one could come forward and the word will spread that there was no one who could ever produce the energy, and that the city had died when the brain left and you don’t