'the story book opens - but not at the first page...
much has already happened - and this is a 'different time', and a 'different place' - but the adventure continues...'
a teenage boy appears - apparently out of nowhere, on a rainy night in an 'unnamed town' -
He manages to crawl into the shelter of an alleyway
running to one side of an opulent resort hotel - the oddly named 'Club Jaguar'-
and why the name 'Jaguar ? … The boy is found by a patrolling security employee,
who reports him to one of the managers. The boy is taken into the hotel,
where he appears to be suffering from amnesia... or is the boy 'on drugs'...
drunk, or dissembling ?... And who is he ? and where does he come from ?
PRELUDE – FROM 'ANOTHER TIME'
for more information about other 'times' and other 'worlds' go to:
'THE MULTIVERSE'
'People are strange when you're a stranger
Faces look ugly when you're alone
People seem wicked when you're unwanted
Streets are uneven when you're down.
When you're strange -
Faces come out of the rain.
When you're strange -
No one remembers your name.
When you're strange...'
A Rainy Night - Somewhere - Sometime
And at the top of the pile - apart from the crooked politicians and officials, there were the 'bosses' - the bosses of the gangs, who were often also the bosses of the bars, the hotels, the strip-joints, brothels, bath-houses and such.
We're little black sheep, who've gone astray,
Gentlemen-rankers out on the spree,
Damned from here to Eternity,
God have mercy on such as we...'
Tall and slim, he was of mixed Latino extraction, and strikingly handsome, and that night was dressed in tight jeans and a leather jacket.
The 'Boss' always surrounded himself with strikingly good-looking people - girls and boys - although everyone realized that it was the boys who mostly caught his attention - as if he were looking for a 'special boy'.
Frank led the way, and in a few moments they entered an elevator (Eng. lift).
Frank then took a pass key out of his pocket and tuned the lock.
"Well amigo, I do hope you like your room.", Frank said, as he opened the door.
For Faunus this was not going to be easy….. It was a big jump – from one ‘world’ to another, and from one 'time' to another.
He had done it before – for the others – but that had been relatively simple.
They had wanted to leave – had to leave - but this one….. While he wanted to leave, he also wanted it all to end ! - He had had enough !
So, it was going to be difficult ......
This one might not even end up in the 'right time', or the 'right place'... that was, if there really was a 'right time', or a 'right place' - but Faunus had little option.......
This was not 'our' time - (and probably not 'your' time) and not 'our' galaxy - (and probably not 'your' galaxy)...........
for more information about other 'times' and other 'worlds' go to:
'THE MULTIVERSE'
'Stranger in a Strange Land'
Faces look ugly when you're alone
People seem wicked when you're unwanted
Streets are uneven when you're down.
When you're strange -
Faces come out of the rain.
When you're strange -
No one remembers your name.
When you're strange...'
Jim Morrison
A Rainy Night - Somewhere - Sometime
It was 'another time' - although the 'place' might somehow seem familiar - to some - but that might only be a superficial resemblance....
(check out the image and see what you think...)
And it was a 'strange' night.....
Here, in this city, it very rarely rained - in fact the city made much its reputation, and much of its living from its equitable, dry fine climate.
It was in many ways a place for rich people to visit - very rich people....
And the ordinary people who lived there ?
Well there was the usual.....
Taxi drivers, garbage collectors, shop assistants, chefs and waiters and waitresses, entertainers, croupiers, people working in hotels.... all the usual.
And in any town where there was lots of money - well, there were the hustlers, gangsters, 'rent-boys', prostitutes, 'girls on the make'.... again, all the usual.
 |
| Yale University |
And at the very top there was the 'Big Boss' - the 'capo dei capi' as they say - the guy who, in reality, ran the town.
Oddly enough - with a title like that, this one was not Sicilian - not even Italian - and he was not part of the Mafia - or more correctly, the 'Cosa Nostra'.
He was purportedly of English extraction - although few believed that story.
But he presented himself as a 'gentleman' - well spoken and seemingly very well educated - from Yale, a 'Bonesman' it was said by those 'in the know' - but nobody had ever dared to check.
The 'Skull and Bones', also known as 'The Brotherhood of Death' is an undergraduate senior secret student society (college fraternity) at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. The oldest senior class society at the university, the 'Skull and Bones' has become a cultural institution known for its powerful alumni. The fraternity moto is 'Rari Quippe Boni' ('The good are indeed few').
'We're poor little lambs, who've lost our way,The 'Skull and Bones' Hall is known as the 'Tomb'. 'Bonesmen' do not join the 'society', but are 'tapped out' if they are considered suitable - being wealthy, white, Protestant, - the Society is 'known' for being anti-Semitic. Members measure time of day according to a clock 5 minutes out of sync with normal time, the latter is called 'barbarian time'. Members choose nicknames - often of classical origin. The 'Boss' chose the Latin nickname 'Gracchus'.
The Tomb - Yale University - New Haven
We're little black sheep, who've gone astray,
Gentlemen-rankers out on the spree,
Damned from here to Eternity,
God have mercy on such as we...'
The 'Boss' was obviously immensely wealthy, although where all the money came from nobody seemed to know - but there were many, many rumours.
He was undoubtedly not your - or our image of the typical 'gangster' - he was just too refined - too retiring - too polite.
And his name ?
Well, he was simply called 'the Boss' - and it would be a very foolish person who asked him his real name.
And his name ?
Well, he was simply called 'the Boss' - and it would be a very foolish person who asked him his real name.
Frank was just twenty-five.
 |
| Frank |
The 'Boss' always surrounded himself with strikingly good-looking people - girls and boys - although everyone realized that it was the boys who mostly caught his attention - as if he were looking for a 'special boy'.
For the night in question Frank had been given the easy option of discreetly patrolling the front of the huge, lavishly lit casino/hotel - at least it would have been the easy option if it hadn't been raining
But then it wasn't too bad.
As always, it was warm - even the rain was warm and light.
Frank stayed under cover, however, idly smoking his Marlborough.
But then it wasn't too bad.
As always, it was warm - even the rain was warm and light.
Frank stayed under cover, however, idly smoking his Marlborough.
After a while he grew bored, and took a walk down one side of the building.
On entering a poorly lit area, he stumbled on a heap of what he took to be rubbish, but a loud groan alerted him to the fact that it was someone sheltering from the rain, and apparently asleep.
"What the fuck's this ?", he said in his part 'West Coast', part Italian accent, more to himself than to whoever it was sleepily stirring at his feet.
The boy looked up, apparently half asleep.
"Go on...! Fuck off, kid !" Frank snarled, pulling the lad to his feet.
The boy groggily got to his feet, took a couple of steps, and then slumped down onto the wet, shiny pavement.
"What the fuck ?", Frank muttered under his breath.
"What the fuck's wrong with you ?", Frank asked aggressively, becoming alarmed, as he didn't want the situation to go any further - which might mean that the authorities - the police or the paramedics getting involved.
"I think... I think I got hit by something.... it knocked me out, I think...", the boy grunted, as he tried to sit up.
"OK .... well let's take a look at you." Frank said, a little more gently, as he helped the kid to sit on the pavement.
The boy, regardless of his tattered jeans, and torn shirt, was strikingly handsome, and in his teens.
Just the sort of kid the 'Boss' might take a liking to, Frank thought.
Just the sort of kid the 'Boss' might take a liking to, Frank thought.
"Well, you're in luck, amigo.
We've got a doctor here in the Casino who could take a look at you, but first I have to check with my boss.", Frank said, helping the boy to his feet.
We've got a doctor here in the Casino who could take a look at you, but first I have to check with my boss.", Frank said, helping the boy to his feet.
"You are in a bad way...", Frank said, as he realised the boy had great difficulty in standing, let alone walking.
"So what do we call you, Amigo ?", Frank asked, as he half lifted, and half dragged the boy to one of the Casino side doors.
The boy didn't reply, but Frank ignored that, as he wanted to get the kid off the street.
As soon as he got through the door, Frank called for help, and another young man, of similar age, and similarly dressed quickly arrived on the scene, and helped to guide the boy down a wide, plushily carpeted corridor.
Everything about the place reeked of luxury and money, from the depth of the carpeting, to the concealed lighting and the embossed, leather-lined walls.
They quickly took the boy to a small room, and laid him on an expensive looking black leather chesterfield sofa.
Frank then quickly 'fleeced' the boy's pockets, looking for ID - or cash.
Frank turned to his helper.... "No ID, no keys, no money, no wallet, no receipts.... nothing !
Who the fuck is this kid ?
Where did this boy come from ? Nowhere ?..." Frank said, exasperated.
Who the fuck is this kid ?
Where did this boy come from ? Nowhere ?..." Frank said, exasperated.
Frank then left the room - presumably to get 'permission' from his boss for the boy to be seen by the 'Doc', while the other young man stood by the chesterfield with folded arms, looking suspiciously like a guard.
The boy, however, couldn't care less.
He was confused, and felt strangely ill, and was just glad to be out of the rain.
Moments later Frank came back, smiling.
"Everything's OK, amigo.
My boss says that you can see the 'Doc', and then we'll see what should be done.... So... see you soon..", and with that Frank and his companion left the room.
My boss says that you can see the 'Doc', and then we'll see what should be done.... So... see you soon..", and with that Frank and his companion left the room.
The boy was left alone.
Perhaps the door was unlocked, and perhaps he could make his escape - but so far he had sensed no threat, and anyway he had no idea where he would escape to.... as his mind was a complete blank.
In the warmth and silence of the room, the boy, lying relaxed on the chesterfield had drifted off to sleep.
"Good evening, young man !........
Well who have we got here ?", the Doctor said, as he gently tugged at the boy's shoulder.
Well who have we got here ?", the Doctor said, as he gently tugged at the boy's shoulder.
The boy opened his eyes, and stretched. "I'm .... uh.... I'm......" and then he fell silent, looking thoroughly bewildered.
"Yes...?", the young Doctor said patiently.
"You're...?", and the Doctor paused, waiting for the boy to complete the sentence.
"You're...?", and the Doctor paused, waiting for the boy to complete the sentence.
The boy looked distressed and distraught.
"I don't know !", he blubbered, seeming as if he was about to loose control.
"I see. " the doctor replied, sounding remarkably calm.
"I see. " the doctor replied, sounding remarkably calm.
"Well, we can come back to that later...
For now, just sit up - if that's OK."
For now, just sit up - if that's OK."
The Doctor then took a thermometer out of his breast pocket.
"Open wide, and lift your tongue."
"Open wide, and lift your tongue."
The Doctor then poked the thermometer into the boy's mouth.
"Now just be still."
While the boy sat on the sofa, trying to calm down, the Doctor opened his bag, which he had placed discreetly on the floor, and took out a stethoscope.
While the boy sat on the sofa, trying to calm down, the Doctor opened his bag, which he had placed discreetly on the floor, and took out a stethoscope.
Gently he then unbuttoned what was left of the lad's shirt, and told him to take some deep breaths.
The Doctor looked serious, as he listened intently.
"Yep !.. Sounds OK.", he then said, reassuringly, as he removed the thermometer from the boy's mouth.
He then looked intently at the reading.
"Temperature's fine !....
So at least you look like you'll survive.", he said brightly.
So at least you look like you'll survive.", he said brightly.
“Well, young man, you’d better come along with me.
Everything seems OK, apart from the memory lapses – but I need to give you a thorough going over – 'the Boss' always insists on that.”
And with that the Doctor indicated to the boy that he should get up off the chesterfield.
The Doctor then guided the boy out of the door, and down a long corridor.
After passing a number of doors they came to a door with a small steel plaque with the inscription - ‘Dr. Lockwood, MD’.
 |
| Dr. Lockwood MD |
The Doctor took out a bunch of keys, and unlocked the door. “Come in son – this won’t take long.”
The room was spacious and somewhat alarmingly all white.
There was a large, remarkably tidy desk, steel filing cabinets and cupboards, an examination couch, and a number of chairs – along with a number of tasteful, framed abstract painting on the walls.
Just like the previous room that the boy had been taken to, however, there were no windows, and the room was lit by subtle concealed lights, and the only sound to be heard was the faint hum of the air-conditioning.
While the room was very ‘Spartan’, it also exuded a sense that in furnishing it money had been no problem.
Once they were in the room, the Doctor indicated to the boy to take a seat.
Then the Doctor went over to one of the filing cabinets and extracted a folder.
He went over to his desk, sat down, picked up a pen, and looked at the boy intently.
“Ah… this could be difficult.”, he said, with a tinge of embarrassment.
“You say that you can’t remember your name ?”
The boy looked up.
“Yes Sir – not at the moment, anyway.”, the boy mumbled.
“Well I’ll just put on your file, in pencil for now, ‘Lost Boy’ - and we’ll sort out the name later.”
'And what was that strange accent - it sounded foreign - European ?' - the Doctor wondered.
'And what was that strange accent - it sounded foreign - European ?' - the Doctor wondered.
“So..f irst I want you to strip.
I presume that’s not a problem for you ?”, the Doctor suggested.
“No, not at all, Sir.” the boy replied, standing up, and pulling off his shirt.
“Good… so tell me – what is the earliest thing that you can remember ?”, the Doctor asked, still worried about the obvious amnesia.
“Well the first thing was the bright lights, and then hitting my head on the ground.”, the boy replied, as he loosened his jeans, and unzipped his flies.
The boy did have some other vague memories, but was careful not to reveal them – he very much wanted to appear as normal as possible.
“And that’s all ?”, the doctor asked, obviously surprised.
“That’s all...”, the boy replied, stepping out of his jeans.
“And do you normally not wear any underwear ?”, the Doctor asked, seeing that the boy was not wearing a vest or underpants.
The boy hadn't realized what he was wearing – or rather, not wearing.
“No, Sir.”, he replied, unsure if he was saying the right thing.
One thing that Lockwood did notice was that the boy's body was completely shaved - and Lockwood, not surprisingly, speculated that the lad might be a 'rent-boy', perhaps pushed from a moving car by a 'punter', in the course of a dispute - about payment or something similar.
One thing that Lockwood did notice was that the boy's body was completely shaved - and Lockwood, not surprisingly, speculated that the lad might be a 'rent-boy', perhaps pushed from a moving car by a 'punter', in the course of a dispute - about payment or something similar.
“OK – well lets have a listen to your chest and your heart again.”, the Doctor said, as he took out his stethoscope, listened back and front, and then firmly tapped the boy’s chest and back.
What the Doctor didn't comment on was how slim, yet well-muscled the boy was.
“And how old did you say you were ?”, the Doctor asked.
“Don’t know.”, the boy replied.
“Well, I’d say about sixteen to... maybe eighteen.
“Don’t know.”, the boy replied.
“Well, I’d say about sixteen to... maybe eighteen.
How does that sound ?”, the Doctor suggested.
“Really – I don’t know.”, the boy replied, appearing to become a little agitated.
The Doctor, still concerned, left it at that, and went over to his desk and made some notes in the newly opened file.
When the Doctor finished making notes, he took out a plastic spatula and a small torch.
“OK, open your mouth wide.”, he said.
The Doctor spent some time peering into the boy’s mouth.
“Your gums are very healthy, and your teeth are remarkably good.
The Doctor spent some time peering into the boy’s mouth.
“Your gums are very healthy, and your teeth are remarkably good.
Not one single filling or cap – amazing.” he said, obviously surprised.
“So now I need to take some blood.”, the Doctor said, going over to one of the cupboards.
When he turned round he noticed that the boy look terribly alarmed.
“You’re not one of those people with a phobia about needles ?,”, the Doctor queried.
“No, not really, Sir.” the boy replied, not really understanding what the Doctor had meant.
“Well, don’t worry, this won’t hurt a bit.”, the Doctor said, reassuringly.
The boy was trembling when the Doctor took hold of his arm, and jerked involuntarily as the needle went into the vein, but he was surprised at how little it hurt.
The Doctor then took a small plastic bottle from the same cupboard from which he had taken the syringe.
"OK now, there's a door over there that leads to the wash-room.
Take this bottle, go in there, and give me a sample of your urine."
The boy looked at the Doctor, apparently uncomprehending.
"Piss in it.", the Doctor said, bluntly.
The boy looked at the Doctor, apparently uncomprehending.
"Piss in it.", the Doctor said, bluntly.
The boy returned in a few moments with the small plastic bottle that he placed n the Doctor's desk.
"That's good !
So, young man, if you have nowhere else to go I can arrange for a nice comfortable room for you, where you can have a good sleep, and then tomorrow perhaps the 'Boss' can see you, and he can decide what to do about you."
The boy looked surprised.
"Thank you, Sir.
I do need to sleep.", the boy replied shyly.
"That's good.", the doctor said, smiling - and the doctor pressed a button on his desk.
Moments later Frank appeared at the Doctor's door.
For a few moments Frank and the Doctor spoke quietly, and then Frank turned to the boy.
"Well, amigo - you've landed on your feet it seems - so come on, and I'll show you to your room.
 |
| Room 33 |
The boy was confused by the small - apparently moving cupboard - and the flame-less lights.
He guessed they had risen maybe five floors - by the flickering, strange symbols (Arab numerals) the he thought may be numbers - when the 'elevator', as we would easily recognize it, came to a very gentle halt, and the doors opened soundlessly.
He guessed they had risen maybe five floors - by the flickering, strange symbols (Arab numerals) the he thought may be numbers - when the 'elevator', as we would easily recognize it, came to a very gentle halt, and the doors opened soundlessly.
They then came to a deeply carpeted, very short corridor - more of a vestibule in fact.
Oddly, although there were two elevator doors, there were only two doors leading off from this vestibule - one at one end, and one at the other end.
The first door was marked with the Arabic number '1' - and the second with a Arabic number '33', for at that point the boy was only able to read Roman numerals, and the Arabic numbers had no meaning for him.
Oddly, although there were two elevator doors, there were only two doors leading off from this vestibule - one at one end, and one at the other end.
The first door was marked with the Arabic number '1' - and the second with a Arabic number '33', for at that point the boy was only able to read Roman numerals, and the Arabic numbers had no meaning for him.
And so Frank led the boy to the door numbered thirty-three.
Now '33' was, and is a very special number, but that fact was also unknown to the boy.
Now '33' was, and is a very special number, but that fact was also unknown to the boy.
 |
| Room 33 - The 'Lost Boy's First Night' |
The boy gasped.
"For me ? - But why ?", he blurted out in amazement.
"Because you are our guest - and we always take good care of our guests.", Frank said, cynically smiling.
"But it's so big......" the boy enthused.
Frank then started his 'spiel'...."Now you've got an 'en-suite' (the boy had no idea what that was), a flat screen TV - but the Doc's ordered that to be disconnected tonight, as he wants you to get some sleep, and of course a CD, DVD Player and Internet (the boy had no idea what any of those were, either) - but they are all off until the Doc's satisfied that you have properly rested.....
So... are you hungry, amigo - 'cause I can order you some food ?", Frank concluded.
So... are you hungry, amigo - 'cause I can order you some food ?", Frank concluded.
"No... thank you, Frank.
I just want to sleep - but can I ask you something ?", the boy said, hesitantly.
I just want to sleep - but can I ask you something ?", the boy said, hesitantly.
"Of course, amigo - fire away.", Frank replied.
"Well - what does 'amigo' mean ? - you keep calling me that.
Is it my name ?", the boy asked.
Frank shook his head in disbelief.
"You are a very strange boy !", he said.
"Amigo just means 'friend' - I'm just trying to be nice to you - 'cause I like you, even if you do seem a bit weird - but I think its just the concussion.
Now you get some sleep, amigo."
Now you get some sleep, amigo."
Frank said, ruffling the boy's spiky hair.
At that point the boy expected Frank to 'make a move' on him.
At that point the boy expected Frank to 'make a move' on him.
"See you in the morning !", Frank concluded, making for the door.
"Yes, Frank - and thanks !", the boy said, relieved that Frank was simply leaving, and glad to be able, finally, to go to sleep
Once the boy is asleep a vague figure slowly materializes in the far corner of the room.It appeared to be a dark-haired, slim young man, surrounded by an ethereal glow - and there was a cute little fluffy owl sitting on his shoulder - an owl called 'Glaux'.The young man was checking on the boy - intent to know that all was well.At that point he decided to do nothing - but there is someone he needed to talk to urgently in order to decide what to do about this 'lost boy' with no memory - but that can be left for the following day.Faunus was content - so far....
 |
...and so the story continues...
The morning after the night before the 'lost boy' awoke in his hotel room, met his 'minder', Frank, and was given breakfast. He showered and dressed in new 'designer' clothes - presumably provided by the 'Boss', and was then taken to see the hotel Doctor. The boy then finally met the 'Boss', and, surprisingly, he was 'adopted' (at least temporarily) by this wealthy, but somewhat sinister, but strangely familiar looking man, and was given 'a new name, for a new life' - and the name ? - 'Jaguar Jim'.
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All text - © Copyright Peter Crawford 2021
All Images - © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2021
Graphic Design - © Copyright Zac Sawyer 2021