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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 man, and was given 'a new name, for a new life' - 'Jaguar Jim'.
The boy stirred on his deep, 'memory-foam' mattress.
Yes - it was a knock on the door.
"Coming...!", the boy called out - not sure where he was, or what was happening.
He jumped out of bed, crossed the thick carpet, and went to the door - which he opened.
"Well !... Hi, Amigo !", - it was Frank.
"But that's not the way we usually answer the door here !".
The boy suddenly realised that he was naked, and 'hard' - it was first thing in the morning.
"You know... there's a robe in the bathroom - but I appreciate it, regardless, 'Amigo' - a nice body, and really 'well hung'.", Frank commented, grinning.
The boy blushed, tried to cover himself - unsuccessfully - with one hand, and quickly turned and disappeared into the bathroom.
Moments later he returned wearing a soft white bathrobe, that was really too big for him.
"Sorry Frank - I was confused... it won't happen again.", the boy said.
"Don't worry kid... And there was I, thinking that you were really pleased to see me..." Frank said, grinning.
"Don't worry kid... And there was I, thinking that you were really pleased to see me..." Frank said, grinning.
"Anyway, it made a nice start to the day for me - and I think the 'Boss' is really going to like you !". Frank said, smiling, while at the same time looking round, checking the room.
"You're a tidy boy, amigo.", Frank commented.
"So... I'll get some breakfast sent up to you, and then you can shower, dress and get ready.
The Doc wants to see you again before you see the 'Boss'.
I'll also send up some new clothes for you - including some underwear - which Doc tells me you don't wear - but here, amigo, you will have to.", Frank said, as he left the room.
Thanks, Frank.", the boy replied, embarrassed at the mention of his lack of underwear.
And at the mention of breakfast, the boy suddenly realised that he was ravenously hungry.
He had no idea of when he had last eaten - but judging by how hungry he felt, it must have been some considerable time ago.
So, he sat in one of the comfortable leather armchairs, and waited.
After about ten minutes there was a soft tap on the door.
The boy got up, checked that he was decent, and went to the door and opened it.
Beside him was a stainless steel trolley covered in an immaculate white cloth, on which were a number of dishes, with silver covers, white crockery, orange juice, a silver coffee pot, cream jug, and sugar bowl, and silver, engraved cutlery - and a silver toast rack, stuffed with hot toast.
"Your breakfast, Sir ?", the young waiter said.
"Er... yes. I suppose so.", the boy said, startled at the luxurious service.
"Will there be anything else, sir ?", the young waiter asked. politely.
"Yes.", the boy replied, deciding to take a chance by asking this seeming underling a question that had been bothering him since the previous evening.
"Who is the 'Boss' ?", the boy asked, trying to be casual.
"Sorry, sir. I have no idea.", the waiter politely replied.
"Will there be anything else, sir ?", the young waiter repeated.
"No... that's fine.", the disappointed boy replied.
"But wait...
The young waiter looked expectantly.
"Where am I ?", the boy asked.
The young waiter looked confused and surprised.
"Why, Sir... this is the 'Club Jaguar... in down-town Las Vegas.", The young waiter replied.
The boy nodded - no wiser as a result of the answer.
"Thanks...", the boy said lamely.
Immediately the young waiter withdrew - knowing that this was one guest who would not be giving him a tip.
It didn't matter, however, as the 'Boss' had already given him a bunch of bills.
The waiter quietly left the room, and the boy was left examining the food hidden under the silver covers.
Eggs, bacon, bread, cheeses... He poured himself some coffee, and began to eat - puzzling all the time as to what all of this meant.
Who would be so generous to him - and what might they want in return ?
Frank's comments that morning also began to worry him, and he cursed himself for appearing at the door naked and 'horny' - as Frank would almost certainly give the 'Boss' a lurid description of what had happened.
Regardless, the boy 'wolfed down' his breakfast, and then lay on the bed for a few minutes, enjoying the feeling of fullness.
Before he could really relax, however, there was another knocked on the door.
I was the same blond waiter, this time delivering a grey leather 'cabin bag'.
He handed it over to the boy.
The boy nervously opened the 'cabin bag'.
It contained clothes.
'Designer jeans', a pale green shirt, a vest and some very brief underpants, white socks and some blue and white trainers.
The boy put them on the bed, and went into the bathroom to have a shower.
The boy had a problem for a while with the faucets ('taps' - for English readers) - but eventually worked out what they were for, and he was fascinated by the foaming, sweet smelling shower gel.
He was unable, however, to really relax, as he knew that Frank had a 'pass key', and could come into the room and catch him in the shower, which would give him another 'juicy' bit of information to give to the 'Boss'.Regardless, after showering, he started drying off with the thick towels, and putting on his new clothes which, to his surprise, fitted him perfectly.
As the boy sauntered round the room, admiring his new clothes in the numerous mirrors, he realised that there were windows - hidden behind thick heavy curtains.
Alongside the windows there were two buttons, one below the other.
The boy hesitantly pressed the top button, and there was a soft hum as the curtains parted to reveal a view of a large deserted swimming-pool, and lush gardens, and far beyond was a blue expanse, that he took to be the sea.
He then playfully pressed the lower button and the curtains began to close.
The boy grinned, but then there was a buzz from the door - obviously Frank....who, being very polite, was not using his pass-key.
The boy opened the door and Frank bounced in, chirpy as ever.
He instantly noticed the partly open curtains.
"Hi, Amigo !... Well ... what do you think of the view ? Pretty fantastic , eh ?"
Frank didn't wait for a reply, but moved swiftly round the room, surreptitiously checking everything, before going into the bathroom to check in there, also.
"You like the bath... an' the shower, amigo ?", he asked.
The boy had turned away from the window, and was watching Frank - puzzled by his seemingly endless energy.
"Yes, Frank... very nice.", the boy replied, not really thinking.
"Well now that you're a really clean boy, it's time to go visit the 'Doc' again - so come with me...".
It was said half jokingly, and in part as an order.
Despite Frank's 'bonhomie' - the boy had come to think that there was something 'sinister' about Frank.
So... there was another trip - this time down - in the elevator, and a walk along a seemingly familiar corridor, and they then arrived at the door marked 'Dr Lockwood'.
Frank pressed a button by the door - and the waited.
"I brought the boy - like you asked... Doc", Franks said, deferentially.
"Thanks, Frank." Dr Lockwood replied, taking the boy's shoulder, almost protectively.
"Come in young man, and take a seat.", the Doc said warmly...
"So how did you sleep ?", Lockwood asked, taking on his professional role.
"Very well, thank you, sir.", the boy replied, doing his very best to be very polite.
"Good !.. And any aches or pains ?",Lockwood continued.
"Well apart for a bruise on my shoulder - nothing.", the boy replied.
"Do you think that you were hit by a car ?", the doctor asked, puzzled that the boy seem to be showing no after effects.
"I'm not sure." the boy said, equally puzzled - and not at all sure what the Doc meant by the word 'car'..
"Well, take off your clothes and let me look for bruises and contusions."
The boy rose from the chair and stripped.
"I see you've got some underwear this time". Lockwood commented.
"Yes, Frank brought them up to me... this morning.", the boy explained.
Lockwood examined his patient thoroughly.
"Well, apart from a slight bruise on your shoulder, there's no sign that you've been in a traffic accident, and that bruise on your shoulder could have been caused by Frank dragging you off the street - he can be a bit rough.
"So what really happened, young man ?". Lockwood asked.
For the first time the boy felt that the doctor was not quite so friendly and supportive.
"Don't know - really.", the boy replied, with a shrug.
"Well get dressed and sit down, and we'll talk some more." Lockwood said, seemingly alternating between playing 'good cop' and 'bad cop' at different times.
Once the boy had dressed and sat himself on one of the comfortable armchairs, Lockwood went and sat at his desk, took out a pen, and opened up a file that was lying on his desk.
"Ok,... well, who am I ?", Lockwood asked.
"Dr Lockwood.", the boy replied, brightly.
"And how do you know that ?",Lockwood asked.
"It says that on your door.", the boy replied.
"Clever....!", Lockwood retorted, smiling.
"And where are you staying ?" Lockwood continued.
"The Club Jaguar."
"And how do you know that ?", Lockwood asked.
"It says so over the bed in the room.", the boy replied, smiling at his apparent cleverness.
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| Room 33 - Club Jaguar - Las Vegas - Nevada |
"It says so over the bed in the room.", the boy replied, smiling at his apparent cleverness.
"So you know how to read ?", Lockwood continued.
"Yes... I suppose I do.", the boy answered thoughtfully.
"So your amnesia hasn't affected your memory in that way - you still remember how to read, and in English, which might give us a lead.
The boy looked puzzled.
"OK, young man, I'm going to give you some numbers that I want you to remember.
Ready ?...... 13,104,33,2,55,8. ", - and Lockwood paused.
"Do you want me to say them again ?."
The boy shook his head.
"Later on I will ask you to repeat them in the same order."
The boy nodded.
"You see, boy, there are two main types of memory - 'long term' and 'short term'.
Your 'long term' seems to have gone completely - it appears that the loss occurred after something happened to you, just before Frank found you, - but your 'short term' memory seems fine.
And it is quite possible that your long term memory will come back - some time - and probably very slowly, in bits and pieces."
Lockwood paused, and scribbled something in the open file.
"So what I am going to do is to write a brief report about you, for the 'Boss'.
He will get it by lunch time, and then, after he has looked at it, he will decide if he will see you.
Now be warned - the 'Boss' is a very important - and wealthy - man, and he has better things to do than to talk to young runaways like you, so he may not even want to see you, and he may just get Frank to put you back on the street where, maybe, you belong.
On the other hand, he may decide to get one of his 'managers' to see you, and you may be given a 'job' - but don't be too hopeful - a 'job' in this organisation could be far worse that being put back out on the street - far worse."
The boy looked nervous.
He was unsure what Lockwood was implying, and wondered what could be far worse that being put out on the street - destitute - hungry, homeless and friendless, but then the boy knew nothing about the kinds of 'businesses' that the Boss oversaw and financed.
On the other hand the 'Boss' is always on the lookout for 'nice' young people - particularly boys, and I think he may well find you very attractive - so he may want to keep you close by - and for you, that could be very good."
Lockwood sat back, and took a slip of paper from the file on his desk. "
And now for those numbers.....well ?"
The boy looked surprised.
He had forgotten all about the numbers - but the numbers themselves he hadn't forgotten.
"Yes..." the boy said, pausing for a moment. 13,104,33,2,55,... and 8... yes, and in that order."
"That's very good !", Lockwood said, and as he spoke he pressed a button on his desk.
Almost immediately the door opened, and Frank came into the room.
"OK, Frank... take this young gentleman back to his room, and then come back - I want a word with you."
"OK 'Doc'.", Frank replied.
"Come on, Amigo... you can go back to the room and watch some TV, or videos, before lunch.", Frank said encouragingly.
Once back in the room, Frank went over to the Video player.
"Anything you wanna to watch, Amigo ?",he asked the boy, casually.
"No Frank - you choose...", the boy replied - not actually understanding what Frank was talking about.
The boy - puzzled - watched carefully as Frank selected a disk, put it in the player, pressed a button, and then pressed a button on the big black panel on the wall.
The boy was startled to see the panel on the wall light up with moving images.
"Is that OK ?", Frank asked.
The boy nodded - completely amazed
"Thought you might like it 'cause it's about a teenage boy lost in a big city... appropriate, eh ?", Frank said, grinning.
Frank then picked up the 'phone.
"Ok... I'll order a snack for you.
Cheeseburger and Pepsi Max all right for you ?", Frank asked, as he waited for a reply.
"Yes, fine Frank... thanks.", the boy replied.
Frank spoke on the 'phone.
"Room Service ?... Yes, I'd like a cheeseburger, French fries (crisps), and Pepsi Max... yes, this is room 33."
Frank put the 'phone down, and turned to the boy.
"Well Amigo, I might be seeing you later - or not - depending on what the boss decides.
If I don't see you again... well, all the best - it's been nice meeting you."
"Thanks, Frank.", the boy replied, rather unnerved at the thought of ending up on his own.
Frank then left - quietly closing the door, and leaving the boy with the video.
Moments later the door buzzed, and room service brought the snack Frank had just ordered.
Lockwood approached a rather nondescript door.
Two well built young men, wearing elegant black mohair suits, stood either side of the door.
"Is it possible to see the 'Boss' ?", Lockwood asked.
"Of course, Doc... he's expecting you. Go right in."
And the young man on the left smoothly opened the door.
It was a long walk across a deep pile, dark grey carpet to the desk of the 'Boss'.
It was a massive, brushed steel, double pedestal desk, with a gleaming black glass top.
Occasionally the black glass winked with little lights - for in reality it was a huge computer 'touch screen'.
Behind the desk sat the 'Boss', wearing a dark, immaculate 'Saville Row' suite.
"Morning Doc !". the 'Boss' said warmly, with the hint of a soft 'transatlantic' accent.
"Good morning, Sir... "I see you have my report on the young boy ".
"Indeed - and it makes very strange reading.
Sit down, Doc, and tell me more."
"Well, he seems to be suffering from acute amnesia - probably brought on by some severe emotional shock - although he believes that he was knocked down - possibly by an auto-mobile.
I've given him a thorough physical, and I can see no injuries which seem to indicate a 'traffic accident' - in fact his only injury is a slight bruise to his shoulder, which was probably caused by Frank's rough handling.
Other than that he is in remarkably 'rude' good health, with a very well developed physique and excellent muscle and skin tone, and superb teeth.
He's a very 'well looked after' boy."
The ''Boss' sat back in his black leather chair, and gazed up at the mirrored ceiling, reflectively (pun noted).
"Yes - I saw the video feed from the shower-room in 33 - there's certainly nothing wrong with that young man.
So....why not bring him up here so I can have a word with him ?"
"Of course, 'Boss'." Lockwood said, rising from his seat.
"You go next door and observe through the video link, and I'll send down for the boy.", the Boss said as he touched the black glass surface of his desk.
"Yes, 'Boss'." Lockwood replied, disappearing through a door set into the green, Serpentine sheathed wall.
Moments later a dark suited young man entered the study of the 'Boss'.
"Bring the boy up here from room 33." the boss ordered quietly.
"Right away 'Boss'.", the young man answered.
The door opened, and the boy entered, neatly dressed in his new clothes - but looking very apprehensive, and accompanied by one of the young men in a dark suite.
The 'Boss' sat back - seemingly deep in thought.
"Anything you wanna to watch, Amigo ?",he asked the boy, casually.
"No Frank - you choose...", the boy replied - not actually understanding what Frank was talking about.
The boy - puzzled - watched carefully as Frank selected a disk, put it in the player, pressed a button, and then pressed a button on the big black panel on the wall.
The boy was startled to see the panel on the wall light up with moving images.
"Is that OK ?", Frank asked.
The boy nodded - completely amazed
"Thought you might like it 'cause it's about a teenage boy lost in a big city... appropriate, eh ?", Frank said, grinning.
Frank then picked up the 'phone.
"Ok... I'll order a snack for you.
Cheeseburger and Pepsi Max all right for you ?", Frank asked, as he waited for a reply.
"Yes, fine Frank... thanks.", the boy replied.
Frank spoke on the 'phone.
"Room Service ?... Yes, I'd like a cheeseburger, French fries (crisps), and Pepsi Max... yes, this is room 33."
Frank put the 'phone down, and turned to the boy.
"Well Amigo, I might be seeing you later - or not - depending on what the boss decides.
If I don't see you again... well, all the best - it's been nice meeting you."
"Thanks, Frank.", the boy replied, rather unnerved at the thought of ending up on his own.
Frank then left - quietly closing the door, and leaving the boy with the video.
Moments later the door buzzed, and room service brought the snack Frank had just ordered.
Two well built young men, wearing elegant black mohair suits, stood either side of the door.
"Is it possible to see the 'Boss' ?", Lockwood asked.
"Of course, Doc... he's expecting you. Go right in."
And the young man on the left smoothly opened the door.
It was a long walk across a deep pile, dark grey carpet to the desk of the 'Boss'.
It was a massive, brushed steel, double pedestal desk, with a gleaming black glass top.
Occasionally the black glass winked with little lights - for in reality it was a huge computer 'touch screen'.
"Morning Doc !". the 'Boss' said warmly, with the hint of a soft 'transatlantic' accent.
"Good morning, Sir... "I see you have my report on the young boy ".
"Indeed - and it makes very strange reading.
Sit down, Doc, and tell me more."
"Well, he seems to be suffering from acute amnesia - probably brought on by some severe emotional shock - although he believes that he was knocked down - possibly by an auto-mobile.
I've given him a thorough physical, and I can see no injuries which seem to indicate a 'traffic accident' - in fact his only injury is a slight bruise to his shoulder, which was probably caused by Frank's rough handling.
Other than that he is in remarkably 'rude' good health, with a very well developed physique and excellent muscle and skin tone, and superb teeth.
He's a very 'well looked after' boy."
The ''Boss' sat back in his black leather chair, and gazed up at the mirrored ceiling, reflectively (pun noted).
"Yes - I saw the video feed from the shower-room in 33 - there's certainly nothing wrong with that young man.
So....why not bring him up here so I can have a word with him ?"
"Of course, 'Boss'." Lockwood said, rising from his seat.
"You go next door and observe through the video link, and I'll send down for the boy.", the Boss said as he touched the black glass surface of his desk.
"Yes, 'Boss'." Lockwood replied, disappearing through a door set into the green, Serpentine sheathed wall.
Moments later a dark suited young man entered the study of the 'Boss'.
"Bring the boy up here from room 33." the boss ordered quietly.
"Right away 'Boss'.", the young man answered.
After a short wait there was a gentle knock on the door.
"Enter", the 'Boss' replied loudly.
"It's OK - you can leave us.
He looks quite harmless.", the 'Boss' said to the young man - with just a hint of a smile.
"So you are the 'lost boy".", the 'Boss' said quietly.
The boy nodded.
"So what happened to your socks ?", the 'Boss' asked.
"Forgot to put them on....", the boy said
"So what happened to your socks ?", the 'Boss' asked.
"Forgot to put them on....", the boy said
The boy looked down intently at the carpet - too nervous to look the 'Boss' in the face.
"Well....we'll forget about that - just this time...
Now sit down young man - because I'd like us to have a chat."
Now sit down young man - because I'd like us to have a chat."
The boy hesitantly sat himself down on the edge of one of the large, black leather arm-chairs.
To the boy there was something strangely familiar about the voice - but in his shattered memory he could find no reason why that should be so.
The 'Boss' flicked through the file from Lockwood.
"Well Dr Lockwood says that you are very healthy.
Blood tests, urine all check out.
There's no bruising, and no pain - so what's all this business about being in a traffic accident ?", the 'Boss' asked, with just a touch of aggression.
"I don't know.
I just found myself lying in the road....so I presumed... I must have fallen...", the boy replied lamely.
I just found myself lying in the road....so I presumed... I must have fallen...", the boy replied lamely.
"I see...", the 'Boss' responded, looking a little peeved.
"Well... Dr Lockwood also says you're suffering from amnesia - memory loss.
Do you think that's true ?", the 'Boss' continued, changing tack.
The boy nodded.
"So what do you remember ?", the Boss asked firmly.
"Very little...", was the boy's weak response.
"Well... I will be honest with you, boy ...", and the 'Boss' flipped the file closed, and sat back.
"I think that you're holding something - maybe a lot - back.
Not on purpose, perhaps.
Maybe there's a 'block'.
But... you seem a nice boy, to me.
Dr Lockwood tells me that you've been well looked after - so you're probably from a very good family.
So I'm going to take a chance with you.
Doubtless your real family may eventually come looking for you - and you will be free to go back to them - if you want - but meantime I will temporarily adopt you.
We'll sort out the legal stuff later...",
The 'Boss', however, unknown to the boy, was being disingenuous.
He had a good idea as to who the boy really was, although he was not completely sure, so he needed time to consult with another (who we shall meet again later in the story), and so he played along with the situation, and was prepared to wait...
"Now don't get any sloppy ideas - and never ever call me 'pop'.", the 'Boss' said, joking, although the boy didn't really understand.
"You are to call me 'Sir' and, as you're not a little boy any more, consider yourself working for me - so you do what you're told, an earn your keep."
The boy sat listening - hardly believing what he was hearing.
"So you call me 'Sir'.... but what do we call you ?"
"Don't know, Sir...", the boy replied, still stunned and confused by what he had just been told.
There was a name that he would dearly like to give the boy - but it would not really be appropriate, and he might, after all, be mistaken in his initial thoughts about the boy - and so he chose a light-hearted nickname for the lad.
"I know...", the Boss finally said brightly, with a smile flashing across his face.
"We'll call you 'Jim'... 'Jaguar Jim' - a new name for a new life !"
'Jim' liked it when the 'Boss' smiled - and it seemed to remind him of someone else - but he couldn't think who.
It was the first real smile that anyone had given him since he had been dragged from the alley by Frank.
And the boy liked the name - well, the 'Jim' part, anyway.
The boy, of course, had no idea what the word 'jaguar' meant - although he new it was the name of the place where he was staying.
"So, 'Jim', we will have to find a 'companion' for you, and a place for you to live - not a hotel room.
And Frank's no good for a 'nice' boy like you.
Now, one of my young men here will take you to a 'nice' apartment, and later, in the evening, we will meet again.
So 'Jim' goes back to his Room 33 - and waits for further developments - developments which include some more new clothes, a ride in a big black Cadillac, a 'Cordon bleu' meal - and a new, very cute friend......
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All text - © Copyright Peter Crawford 2021
All Images - © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2021
Graphic Design - © Copyright Zac Sawyer 2021