Come Back Home

By Iain A. Tunliss

This is about one persons determination and a promise to help the world he lives in prosper and reduce coveting according to his belief in the laws of Moses, minus the belief of an eye for an eye. It also discusses the problems he encountered despite enduring illnesses brought on by the trauma he went through from his memory loss.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Mar 17, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524598495

Iain A. Tunliss

He was awaken as a child to think about the whys of his life and made a promise to the Real God, Real Holy Mary, and the Real Jesus that if he could have the powers and blessings, in his life he would try and improve the human lot.

Book preview

CONTENTS

Preface

Chapter One

Loss Of Memory

Chapter Two

The Conference And Meeting

Chapter Three

‘Wool Over My Eyes’

Chapter Four

Sacrifice For What?

Chapter Five

What A Difference

Chapter Six

Compared To What?

Chapter Seven

Struggle Of The Mind

Chapter Eight

Flight Or Fight

Chapter Nine

What If?

Chapter Ten

‘All In All’

Chapter Eleven

Rolling

Chapter Twelve

‘What Is In A Name’

Chapter Thirteen

In Limbo

Chapter Fourteen

‘Ways To Life’

Chapter Fifteen

‘Learning My Ways In Life’

Chapter Sixteen

‘Flight Or Fight’

Chapter Seventeen

‘Choice Of Two Evils’

Chapter Eighteen

‘In A Fast Lane’

Chapter Nineteen

‘Choice Of Two Evils’

Chapter Twenty

‘Chances And Decisions’

Chapter Twenty-One

Is This Reality?

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

‘A New Dawn’?

Chapter Twenty-Four

Welcome To The Boot Camp

PREFACE

I lay here on my bed with my memories going back to when I was a few days old and the memories that formed my determinations for a full life with all possible events and future happenings in my life, the where, what and when of my daily living pre-planned by myself with blessings from the Real God, real Virgin Mary and Real Jesus who I believe in. Since the human race must have started by divine authorities and sins must have been condoned by fake deities or people praying to the fake and wrong deities while being misled by fake authorities of religion and politics.

The depression I have grown-up with, I was not born with because I was born like all children but understand my surroundings at any time like all newly born children with the whys of life. After I was a couple of months old I was concerned with the example of what I was imagining including why would my father and mother live in one room of the house and share facilities with other tenants and why my father should be unemployed or unemployable.

Things that go bump do not scare me as I lay staring at the walls waiting for the day I would be old enough to help my mother who is quite energetic with the cleaning of the room and nothing else since I overheard that they have someone paid who does the cleaning of the communal areas. That never meant anything to me but I hid the information in my little memory bank of a child and repeated this as many times as possible in my head.

After a year I started wondering about who or what started the human race, what the purpose of rejuvenation of the family is, why old faces of friends and other family members we have seen around us like most families I have been made to meet are not visiting us. Why I bothered about all these things bothers me, but well where there is a need, there must be a purpose and this purpose must be to strive for myself regardless of the class I have found myself in.

All things being equal I learnt to say a few words, learnt to count quietly in my head I could hold the counting up to five and mime the essential sayings like a parrot. As far as I knew dreams are what life is formed or made up of, and as a little child, my mind tells me the only way out of this situation is to dream about opportunities, situations and luck runs. I thought all things being equal I should grow-up as a person with his sights already set on achieving things as and in opportunistic ways.

During the fifties I grew up into an eight year old, who was chaperoned to one of the local Church’s Sunday School, to hear and be taught about Jesus Christ, God, Good and Evil. I also think about my alternatives if I should be orphaned and I thought about the ways to make a living in the long term and if my great fear should come true. My other thought is of routes to a higher standard of living, such as ways to riches, grace, glory, and wisdom to help me achieve my plans. I smiled to myself quietly and asked what ten year old can take their strains on thinking, talk less of thinking seriously about life? As my mind was already made up now, what I have to do is for myself to grow-up with the years and see whether I would be proved wrong and I know I will have to adapt both my plans and living as time goes on, also except that I am open to persuasions on realising my dreams and plans.

When I lost my memories in the mid-March 1960, I thanked my lucky-stars that I still remember my plans, ideals and religious conviction, so I only have to find the avenue for me to practice what I think are right and are the ways to progress. During the early sixties, again during house plays, and role plays, I learnt about how humans perform or relate to each other. This was before I requested the means of how to get out of poverty and not in these exact words. I just say things could be better if we invest in the future by running a business or one or two businesses should in case circumstances change. I have lots of books, toys and clothes mostly from the other male members of my mentor. Some of the female members tried to get me into ladies dress but I politely refused these dresses as I am not a transvestite or homosexual, before, then and here after.

CHAPTER ONE

LOSS OF MEMORY

M y story began in March 1960, when I realised I have, lost my memory. This is while I am on a walk to or from the post office distribution depot for parcel collection. Subsequently, I only realise I have lost my memory when I paused for a break in my walk, and my thoughts wandered to food, housing and where I was heading to, which was when I drew a blank and started panicking because I could see that I am in an area that is very unfamiliar to me. In my panic, my mind went back at first to the preceding two to three days and I drew a blank when I tried to remember. I could feel myself digging deeper, and deeper into the past years after I could not realise what happened in the immediate days gone by, in rhythm but with only the present to remind me of my existence.

I check my pockets for any piece of identification that may relates to me, who or what I am and I realised I only have three things on me namely a penknife, five pound note and a postal receipt. Also I realised I haven’t had a meal within the last twenty-four hours, so I dug into my pocket again, fished out the green postal receipt, it contains no names or anything to remind me of who I am, only a number which does not mean a thing to me.

Suddenly, I noticed I was facing a barbershop across the road and it has two people inside: the barber and his customer. I saw the customer freeze before the mirror he is sitting opposite, he then turns towards me facing the street I was on. He got up and walked in into the shop next door which I assumed must be a restaurant, when I also become alert to the smell of cooking before I realised my reality.

Carefully I take stock if there are any other persons within my view but noted a couple of people walked out of the restaurant looking both ways while talking to the barber’s customer. That was when I decide to go ahead with a plan I have, which is to ask for accommodation and as a means and an excuse of finding out where I am, what the name of the city is, the name of the country and what time it is. There about as I take this decision, I noticed two people conversing with a staff of the restaurant and walk out of the restaurant going into the barbershop. I start to pray quietly that whatever it is, I should not lose sight of the barber’s customer and whatever it is, I should use him for my means and ends.

After a few words in greeting, he turns around and stares in my direction and took a few steps and keeps on walking across the road towards me. I quickly take stock of my assets; educated, literate, and accent, American, no other identification papers, no known living abode, or relatives and destination unknown. All in all, I know I have to urgently change a couple of things or adapt some things like my accent to blend in at least with the educated locals.

We met at one quarter of the way into my dusty road. He came towards me then changed track to be directly in front of me. I do not have to pretend because I have a genuine loss of direction, and memory and I stop to inquire from him the time and directions, and then the correct pronunciation of the city’s name just enable me to get my orientation. He tells me that the time by his wrist watch is nine thirty five am and the city’s name, emphasising the letters of the name in his pronunciation. I pretended that I have a meeting in a certain part of the city, a similar meeting he also says he has. Also, I told him that I am in the United States of America Peace Corps, as far as my memory could go but I could not remember the date of enlistment. I ask him for the direction to the post office and the nearest American, British and German Embassies which he told me politely are within a walking distance with a wave of his hands.

I pause for a moment, then inform Thomas which is his name by which we were introduced, that I am headed for the Army barracks which he also said is on his way to his meeting, although the meeting is called a conference because of the quality of the people attending and I might be lucky to meet Royalty and Ambassadors. I then tell him that I am house-hunting, which coincidentally he says is on his mind as well. I smiled quietly to myself because I have found my potential victim. No matter and whatever he is, he will be my helper because there are too many coincidences in our plans. He will take me there; run back home, these are your thoughts and your ambitions due to unfold with no confusion and conflicting advices from the grown-ups or your parents, roam-on home because this is your future, time and your life.

Thomas told me that he has been in the Army during the Second World War and the Korean War as a paramedic, and left the service in the late fifties to join the civil service. He comments that he found it amusing that he never noticed any one walking through the dusty street which I was on but having been in the Army, nothing surprises him anymore. I laugh it off.

He says he is in the barbershop for a quick cut and shave, while waiting for his car to take him to some meetings and he is in his fifties using hair dye to hide his grey hair, not including some patches of grey on the side burns. Thomas says that he used to live a couple of houses from the barbershop and owns a car which is driver driven. The car was nowhere to be found, so I presumed it will be brought around.

With a warm handshake, I simply give my name as Robert Philips and we continue to walk towards the barbershop and when we got there, exchanged greetings with the owner-barber. Thomas commented on the weather and of his driver being late and that this may be due to a servicing need on the starter, plugs and battery. I was beginning to feel tired and very hungry and could smell cooking through the air and I politely asked where the nearest restaurant is. He tells me that one is nearby, in fact the next shop and immediately takes me there.

There were a couple of foreigners consisting of a couple of Russians, Romanians and Austrians looking men and a couple of ladies in their thirties. It seems from their questions addressed to Thomas that they are waiting for someone important who has promised them he or she would be in town but they do not have what they should look for as relating to the nationality, race, language spoken, accent or sex of this person. So they may be keeping a rendezvous with or waiting for that person or persons unknown.

I pretend to be a local and innocent while being asked a few questions by one of the Russians and waiting for my food which has been ordered, and when the food was served I made sure I sit next to these people as near as possible. They enquired from Thomas if I am their expected visitor, but he says no, I could not be because I am too relaxed, young and speak the local language near perfectly. Silently I was grateful for this and thank God for the fact that I also look younger than my age.

Afterwards, I went back to the barbershop and waiting Thomas. He says that he will like to show me around if I prefer, since this is my first time in the city which it is, except I have never been in the country before and I know little or nothing about its history more than what I discover through listening to Thomas conversation with the barber of an impending independence from the country of Highland rule later in the year. All that is in the air he says is the talk of the future without the Highland Government and a Constitution Crisis for the new Parliamentary Government of still having the Queen of Highland as the Titular Head of government for the newly independent country.

All of a sudden, Thomas says he will like to exchange address details with me and will like me to meet his war veteran groups formed from his units of those who survived the Second World War and Korean War. No sooner, the car arrived at 10:30am for the journey to the meetings in a suburb of the city and which gives me my first glimpse of some of its streets.

CHAPTER TWO

THE CONFERENCE AND MEETING

W e proceed to the car which is now parked just directly in front of the barbershop. A little more than ten minutes into our journey, we pass by the American Embassy. I could see a guard in front of the embassy and he waived to us as we go by and both the driver and Thomas returned the greeting. The driver points out that we are passing by the Embassy and if I would like him to stop. I said yes so that I can enquire within, should in case I encounter problems later but Thomas says that he should go on to the meetings as he is already late and my request was ignored.

This made me a bit nervous as there was nothing I could do and I was trying to make a connection with my situation of what I am doing here in this city or country and I feel maybe I am related to a kidnap plan or there is a connection with the expected person who I have come to be curious about. I ask Thomas indirectly and utter innocence about the expected visitor and what his or her connections, are to the people in the restaurant. He says the expected person is suspected of having been involved with war crimes and some governments want him for trial. I ask is he like Hitler and he said to the driver in his local language and some English words what do I know, that the person is worse than Hitler as he does not give a damn as to who you are; he was very ruthless. So they are after a war criminal after all. I nearly give the fact that I am very curious about the story behind the expected person, because all of a sudden, Thomas asks me how do I know the sex of the expected person, because nobody knows and may be, I have met the person in question?. To this I say no, I know little or nothing about Hitler or any of his team due to my memory loss.

The car proceeds carefully through a round-about, and turns left heading for the northern part of the city; then stopped for some few minutes at an address so that Thomas could deliver a message concerning some consignment of sorts by which they have agreed. A question was asked if I am the expected visitor but Thomas said no because I am too young to be in the army or fit the profile of a ruthless killer. In addition, he says that this person may be a hero to his people and if he ever meets or sees him, he would make sure the person gets a piece of his mind in unmistakable terms.

I gather through our further conversations that Thomas was a kind of man with illusions to empire building which with the fact of his service during the wars both he and his friends were spurred on by these ambitions. He is therefore attending these meetings to discuss the economic future of some or all the countries in the geographical region with some embassy staffs, journalists and civil servants. I did not know whether this is true but if it is this country will be in big trouble later on for meddling in world affairs or accommodating these people and I say so.

The meeting site is a two storey building shared accommodation with six rooms, two kitchens, two bathrooms and two toilets on each floor of the house. I take a tour through the house to satisfy myself of an escape route should in case I need it. Also, I am told that the people attending the meetings would not be staying for long or long coming and that they span the spectrum of world-wide affairs and countries. No refreshments were made or provided at these meetings, I am told.

Thomas first shows himself around and I was introduced as a foreigner that I am to the residents of this street where this conference is taking place. There were only four, two storey buildings with the remainder being bungalows. After all his conversations to his friends, I have been asked to stand in for the recipients of several messages on the state of the world’s industrial development, security and social ills, that from the ancient empires and kingdoms have prevailed. I offer my excuses of not being competent with these things and moreover, I am not the secretarial type with the capabilities for facts, figures or names. These are to no avail. Thomas said that ‘these meetings are not for governmental actions but notice’. He excuses himself to view the new home which he intends to exchange for something not roomy and spacious that has become too small for the size of his family, which will be increased in the near future. He says he just like a big family.

Reluctantly I gave in, for anything to occupy my mind. I have the wish to increase my hopefulness as I have no home to go to and I have only five pounds, a penknife, a postal receipt that I may have lost to the courier and her scheming is part of my situation and that on probability, which are undisclosed so far. I have asked Thomas if I could stay with him and his family so that I could have a roof over my head for days or months until I could sort myself out. Also I gave against all hope of getting by on my abilities, just to mark time until I could wake my numb mind to realities of maybe I am being kidnapped, this never occurred to me until later on from different sources of information.

But something tells me that it could take ages or never. As I have no memory of names, means and addresses of people I used to know. The most important thing then is I will need to be educated so that I could get a job other than as a house-help. So I asked again, if he could take me in as his house-help. This he says, could be more appropriate as he has it in mind to get a house-help who could be helping his wife and children to do with ironing, cooking, laundering, and keeping the bedrooms floor clean. I insist that I would like to register for education while I comply with the rest of our agreement.

We nearly bump into each other going past her door and I get into shock because the meeting was sudden, she was dressed in a flowered gown, slim, with slight dimple on her left cheek. I followed her to the pavement again that serves as the front yard, which is not a yard. Also the front pieces of these buildings with the broken concrete staircases and thin decking scared the hell out of me as I was terrified they could collapse at any time. I thought that some of these buildings should have been demolished ages ago if there have been effective building and environmental planning laws, I thought to myself and promise I will voice my concerns and fears to Thomas afterwards.

Bridgette that is her name who stares at me as I gave a little bow and kissed her right hand murmuring sweet nothings of how beautiful it is to find such a girl with grace while I try to see if she could play along, at a little game with me and be my buffer with Thomas. Thomas stops by to introduce us to each other and asks me to give her my green postal receipt, and the five pound note which he would change for lower denominations. Thus I gave her the taxi fare for the collection of my packages or what is collectable on my postal receipt from the central post office and she was on her way and it was eleven thirty in the morning.

Lost in awe and enthralled by her beauty, I waited eagerly by the garage door to receive the visitors and their messages. The first visitor was in a hurry and said his message as fast as he could as he does not want to be caught by people he know and the message he has is that he does not want any revolution in his South American country as it is in Cuba and wants the price of rice per bag in particular and other foodstuffs to be reduced. Also, the second request was on the death sentence and hanging – his country would prefer life imprisonment as other way of societal justice and this should be discussed at the United Nations to make it worldwide issue.

Some other complaints are about military training, conscription and the safety of the Soldier helmet which the complaining representatives want to be changed, adapted or scrapped. Other complaints are on the Super Powers, the complainant would like freedom for all regardless of classes or system of government which would make it utterly impossible for some governments to operate or cooperate with others as these might affect the root of social order in these systems. Moreover some would like to reduce the use of threat of wheat as a weapon to achieve international cooperation decreased as this affects the safety of the state. All these are used to arrive at a safe conclusion that nobody, as a policy or other is in control as a government of owing and controlling, or with the coordination of all factors of production or their usage.

The pressure lobbyists then come along with their requests for changes in marital laws and taxation levels and rates, to benefit the family as an institution. I noted all the points down in my head as I was requested but still could not figure out how these got an inroad into normal administration. Some other representatives, call for social services provision to be far more than orphanage and should include adoption, contraception, family clinics and social benefits payments for the sick workers and their relatives, as already practised by some countries.

There were also some Presidential hopefuls and some Evangelists of whom or their lookalike I am told I may have heard of. With these in mind I could not figure out where in the world all these might be needed since I have lost my memory. Mostly there were also the Royal entourages both local and foreign, with requests for changes to and acknowledgement of Royal lineages. Also, there are those with bestiality tendency, and homosexuals calling for a change of view in society worldwide or they could be blackmailed to connive with their individual country’s enemies.

Moreover, there were numerous fake State Ladies, because I cannot believe their presence, who are married to individuals who I also believe are passing off as high ranking government appointees, I thought and I refuse to take their concerns. Lastly, there are the old dogs of war and veterans, lawyers, psychotics, poets, philosophers, military officers, self- confessed revolutionaries, and economists who with their miraculous claims, theories, and advises could do no more than bring a total collapse to the systems.

Although, I cannot accept that these people are genuine or real with certainty and I just ride along with them. Amongst these people is Thomas maybe with memory loss, loss of orientation or recognition or the inability to understand who I was, he spoke to me as he would to a stranger and said his piece as someone who likes to live like an hermit with lots of children not minding where they come from, and would like to write for a living. Maybe oblivious to his having met me earlier in the day he reveals his secret to be an Emperor with his group of friends, a writer, and poet with some works and credits to his name already and regrettably would have loved to have studied philosophy. I said it is never too late but not forgetting to say that there will be barriers in the form of age discrimination, fees payment and sponsorship.

Before he can go any further on with his statement I broached in with a word of caution that he should be careful about what he says, and my lack of interest and contempt for his unrealistic approach to life. He asks me to give him an honest advice on his performances so far, saying his, is ‘live and let live’ policies, and will not mind to join the so called, gang of rotten eggs or communist class to commit anti-social mischief, since currently they say he does not live well, not married and a labour party supporter, and has a very keen interest in photography, film script and novel writing, but fearful that he should not come to the notice of the authorities.

He said he was promised an overseer for his project to be a better Emperor, this will be an expert could help him develop a better behavioural and management expertise. This is someone who might come to live with him and his family for a long period of time. He left and a meeting closer comes along to give the all clear to declare an end of the meeting they call a Conference and a display of the ‘Envelopes’ at different venues, that are also very important but which I did not understand or appreciate as an alternative means of getting my missing luggage and possibly memories.

CHAPTER THREE

‘WOOL OVER MY EYES’

I have asked someone to buy me some cigarettes and was about to have one while waiting for Thomas or else I would have a housing problem because I have little money with which to rent a room and more or so when it is now getting late and my luggage and envelopes are not in sight. Thomas comes along, apologised for his lateness, said it was a busy lot he has to see but thinks he successfully passed on the messages, except there is no word about the expert. Bridgette comes along just as we are talking about the postal receipt and the good looking envelopes and parcels collector.

She has nothing in view and considering my limited memory, I assumed the envelopes and postal packages or whatever to be heavy and not a hand luggage which she can carry by herself. Bridgette said ‘’all I could do was asked for your receipt back as the item could not be traced in the left luggage office" then she rubs her nose with the back of her right hand while staring far at Thomas. We then stroll into the house, my mind racing with the prospect of sleeping and living rough for the next couple of days and maybe months or years, but where? I could not tell what my mind was decided on except one thing for sure was not to lose sight of these two who are now conversing in one of the native languages which I found difficult to understand and assume could only be a figuring session for them.

It was now past three in the afternoon with a steady breeze drooling in the atmosphere and through the street, nothing else happening. I am in a daze despite the fact that I could hear Thomas in the distance saying he could put me up for a couple of days or until my luggage gets found by the postal staff. Someone suggests going to the Police to report my loss and my presence in the country. I just hung to Thomas and Bridgette’s offer, reluctance and advice.

I have introduced myself at the meeting or conference as an Admiral of the US Army/Peace Corps, who is travelling to India, then back to the United States of America as I have been advised by Thomas. This was a story that was not disputed by the Americans present at the meeting or the Russians who were also in attendance and who were also in the restaurant where I first have my first meal for a long time and, a taste of the local food. Someone asked me, if I am in the Navy what am I doing inland miles away from the sea. This I take to be a joke and not a question that could not be answered as I could take a few days inland just to explore part of the country.

Back to the present, Thomas has just taken but a step when he remembered that I had asked for a judge or the bailiffs who were also in attendance for people in breach or offending items being passed off as genuine items. Checks were made on stories, messages were conveyed and I discerned it might be dangerous for whoever I am passing off as, to be identified now or later or to use orthodox methods in interpreting and executing these wishes especially from the super powers and countries within their blocks. So far I have passed scrutiny from the Germans, Romanians, and the Russians all in the restaurant and at the meeting on whether I am their sought after or expected military person. As I cannot remember a lot of things, I say no, I pass the searching questions and scrutiny, so far on the basis of my colour, accent and age.

The Judge and Bailiffs are Highlanders. So I am put into child custody for 30 years pending a research into my family name, history and story. I am awarded full entitlement to Child Maintenance Allowances, and my guardian was given a monthly personal allowance in his new role which he refuses for his own reasons which includes that he thinks he earns enough and they should take care of his two new charges. In this case it will be for Tony, and myself, who are the two youngest members of his family and unrelated by blood to him or his wife or any member of his family. The Judge says ‘’I will send his pass-through", then he leaves the venue of the meeting.

I guess that information is for me or Thomas nevertheless I am filled with much happiness and great hope, that is as a result of the help I have just received and a result of my realising that all I have to do is keep my promises to Thomas, get educated, save my Child Benefit Allowance and things should be okay within me and my world. A woman and four others I have met at the meeting were in the backyard conversing about what, only heaven knows. I could not be bothered as I had just had a meeting with my other hope, the Highland judge, I am in high spirits.

After this boost, and I am about to walk into the garage, when Thomas rushes by saying ‘’if it will be alright for me to be introduced to his team members as they are about to discover whose ideas will make administration better in the next twenty five years ‘’. Afterwards he introduced me to his wife and children and according to Thomas all of them are part of the new trends in co-habiting and are old faces to him. I have arranged to go on with Bridgette in the morning on an extended visit to the post office distribution centre and later on the USIS or American Embassy to report my presence.

A report came through just before we leave to meet Thomas new neighbours that my family had been traced to Chicago in the United States and some relatives or to be specific cousins in Britain. I was very happy because I have a connection at last but worse I could not remember anything and no image flashes through my mind immediately and afterwards. Although I have the information in my head during my first few minutes after I realises that I have lost my memory. Nothing about their personal or family history comes up in my mind no matter how hard I try.

Nonetheless, I am happy with my life but still left with the question of my future, which lies within my memories, the envelopes, and my luggage without which I cannot go on living in my and the old ways, that I cannot realise or remember. The decision I take is very simple, to create a new life as far as I am concerned, to plan for the future, adapt and see what happens. The problem with my accent would be used in my songs, plays and writings later. But this, comes sooner than expected, because I was very bored which makes me think about the relationship between depression, stress, trauma and the threshold for someone to breach and develop or show signs of mental illness.

I take to creating and writing multiple genres of artistic works sooner than I wanted to and it proves that I have lots of talents apart from writing stories, plays and poems. I could also set my poems into music using my special styles of music genres which I have created by myself and the household labour saving devices that I