'The people of Kansas are real tough....
Somehow they have outlasted the 'Dust Bowl',
the 'Depression', and the tornadoes that terrorize the 'Great Plains'.....'
Please note that this chapter is intended for adult viewers (over 18 years), and may contain images and text featuring nudity and strong language. Please do not view this chapter if you find such features objectionable....
open images in a new tab to enlarge imagesAnd so they move on - fast approaching the end of their 'road trip' before their eventual return to Las Vegas - and why Kansas ? - Well Kurt got a message that there's a rumour of an up and coming young guy on the High School Wrestling scene that might be ideal for the 'Combat Club' - but not knowing the name of the High School or the town - how are they to find this handsome farm-boy ?
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| Michael's Teddy-Bear |
Teddy, however, had surreptitiously switched himself off - apart that was from the automatic system that responded to questions with random replies such as 'really', 'how interesting', 'go on' and such like.
Eventually Ethan realized what Teddy had done, and put him in the bathroom, with a pile of towels on top of him, to prevent the automatic program from being triggered.
Ethan and Jim, by then exhausted, then went to bed together, and dreamed of pirates, fairies, politically incorrect 'Red Indians' and teddy-bears - (there is a teddy bear in the story of 'Peter Pan' - which belongs to Michael Darling, Wendy's younger brother).Peter Pan is a fictional character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie. A free-spirited and mischievous boy who can fly, and never grows up (remind you of anyone ?), Peter Pan spends his never-ending boyhood having adventures on the island of 'Neverland' as the 'leader' of the 'Lost Boys' (remind you of anyone ?), interacting with fairies, pirates, mermaids, Native Americans, and occasionally ordinary people from the world outside 'Neverland'.
J M Barrie
Peter Pan has become a cultural icon symbolizing 'youthful innocence', (if such a concept exists after Freud), and escapism. In addition to the two distinct works by Barrie, the character has been featured in a variety of media, both adapting and expanding on Barrie's works. These include a dramatic live-action film which the 'boys' and the 'Boss' saw and enjoyed the previous evening at the 'Mayan' Movie House in Denver.
Jaguar Jim - Jim the Avenger
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| The Lost Boys |
But it was a 'good thing', because it got them up in time for breakfast.
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| Marcus Ultor |
Faunus, of course knew only too well what had happened.
Faunus was still worried about the 'Boss', (Gracchus), however.
Still there was the curious mix of sentimentality and stark cruelty.
That sentimentality and cruelty was exemplified by the skillfully arranged death of the pilot, 'Bob White', - combined, on the same day, with a night spent in the 'fairy-tale' world of 'Pan' and 'Neverland' at the aptly named Mayan movie house.
And then there was Jim, (Marcus) - so much like Pan - 'leader' of the 'lost boys' - a mixture of joyous youth and implacable revenge - 'Marcus Ultor' as he was known in that time, long ago, when he seemed so much older.
But in this world, the 'Boss' had named him 'Jaguar Jim' - 'Jim the Avenger' ? - after the silent jaguar - the cruel, vicious hunter of the mesoamerican forests - the jaguar who would have a decisive part to play in this story some time later.
And Faunus was thinking, 'was that to be the future for Jim ?' - following, as time went by, in the footsteps of the 'Boss' ?
But then even Faunus could be wrong.
But then even Faunus could be wrong.
Octavian Augustus The Roman Emperor Augustus (originally known as Octavian - a name used by both Gnæus Gracchus and Marcus (Jim). Octavian created the cult of 'Mars Ultor' ('Mars the Avenger') to mark his defeat of the assassins of Julius Caesar at Philippi in 42 BC. The god Mars is depicted wearing a cuirass and helmet. He holds a shield in his left hand. The goddess 'Ultio', a divine personification of 'vengeance', had an altar and golden statue in his temple in Rome. Marcus, on becoming 'Dominus', on the death of Gracchus, was acclaimed as 'Marcus Ultor' by the citizens of Baiae, in the amphitheater after he had horrifically executed those who had conspired against him.
Temple of Mars Ultor - Rome
But Faunus couldn't linger for long with his thoughts.
The beautifully polished autos were waiting at the Hotel entrance, with the bellhops, who had loaded all the luggage, waiting expectantly on the sidewalk for their tips, not just for their handling of the luggage, but also for all the work they had put into making the Cadillac and the convertible gleaming and bright, as if they had just left the showroom..
The 'Boss' rewarded them well, however, hoping that he may be staying at the hotel again some time in the future.
Glen, Ethan and Teddy were riding in Jim's convertible, with Faunus driving, and Jim, Novius and Josh were in the Cadillac with the 'Boss' - and they were all setting out to link up with Interstate 70, which would take them to Kansas.
Interstate 70 is a major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States. The Interstate runs through or near many major cities, including Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore. The sections of the interstate in Missouri and Kansas have laid claim to be the first interstate in the United States.
Interstate 70 - to Kansas
Not surprisingly, the 'Boss', in order to help pass the time, was ready with stories about the Native American tribes that had lived on the Great plains of Kansas.
Having studied the anthropology of Mexico and the greater part of the United States when a student at Yale, he had a seemingly endless fund of such stories
But first they had to drive through the suburbs of Denver
"I liked Denver.... will we be coming back sometime....?", Jim asked the 'Boss'.
"Quite possibly.....", the 'Boss' replied.
Once on Interstate 70, and at the edges of the 'Great Plains', and moving away from those 'mile high' mountains, Jim felt it was time to ask questions that would inevitably result in a long dissertation from the 'Boss' that would fill in their time during their long drive.
"So where is Kansas ?", Jim asked.
Now for most Americans that was a very odd question to ask, but for newcomers to the land it was quite reasonable.
Josh had a vague idea, having seen Novius pore over dusty old maps that had been reproduced on Internet sites, but even he couldn't give a very comprehensive answer.
"Well Jim, Kansas is roughly slap in the middle of the USA..
It is located in the Great Plains Region of the United States, and is often known as the Wheat State, as Kansas is a prominent hub for agriculture producing, wheat, corn, and soybeans.", the 'Boss' explained.
"So I think you told me before about the 'Great Plains' in connection with some of the Native American tribes.", Jim commented - trying to prove that he really did pay attention to the detailed talks that the 'Boss' so often gave when they were on long journeys.
The Great Plains (sometimes simply "the Plains") is the broad expanse of flat land (a plain), much of it covered in prairie, steppe, and grassland, that lies west of the Mississippi River 'tall-grass prairie', in the United States, and east of the Rocky Mountains in the U.S. and Canada. It embraces the entirety of the U.S. states of Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, parts of the states of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming and also the southern portions of the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
The Great Plains - Kansas
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| Buffalo Hunt - Frederick Remington |
As I mentioned before, the coming of the 'horse culture' meant that many Native American tribes dramatically changed their way of life.
With the use of horses, they were no longer farmers, living in established communities, but rather they roamed the plains, hunting, and often following the huge herds of buffalo."
Buffalo Hunt The buffalo, is a North American species of bison that once roamed North America in vast herds. They became nearly extinct by a combination of commercial hunting and slaughter in the 19th century and introduction of bovine diseases from domestic cattle. With a population in excess of 60 million in the late 18th century, the species was down to 541 animals by 1889. Recovery efforts expanded in the mid-20th century, with a resurgence to roughly 31,000 animals today, largely restricted to a few national parks and reserves. Buffalo hunting (hunting of the American bison) was an activity fundamental to the Midwestern Native Americans Tribes.
"Among Native American tribes, especially the Plains Indians, the bison (buffalo) is considered a sacred animal and religious symbol.
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| Buffalo Herd |
The buffalo crossed many different areas and functions, and it was utilized in many ways.
It was used in ceremonies, as well as to make tipi covers that provided homes for people, utensils, shields, weapons and parts were used for sewing with the sinew.
The Sioux consider the birth of a white buffalo to be the return of 'White Buffalo Calf Woman', their primary cultural prophet, and the bringer of their 'Seven Sacred Rites'.
Among the Mandan and Hidatsa tribes, the 'White Buffalo Cow Society' was the most sacred of societies for women."
"So, Sir, shall we see any buffalo while we are in Kansas ?", Josh asked.
"To be honest, Josh, I'm not sure.
When I was in Kansas before I was not on the lookout for buffalo.
As a student anthropologist I was more concerned with the people, to be honest, but I'm sure there will be some, as their numbers are now growing.", the 'Boss' replied.
And so, as they drove on, Jim and Josh looked at some images of buffalo on Jim's laptop, while the 'Boss' thought for a few moments, wistfully, about his previous trips to the Great Plains, and tried to work out what to say next about the native Americans.
It was a difficult subject, and not an easy task to present simply.
"So, 'boys', let's get back to the beginning....
The name Kansas is derived from the Native American tribal name 'Kansa', or 'Wind People', and Kansas has a rich Native American heritage spanning from the time of 'Paleo-Indians', the very first Native American, perhaps 14,000 years ago, to the very present.
Identifying Kansas Native American, however, is a difficult task.
Clearly the present day borders of Kansas mean nothing in describing Native American perceptions of geography, and It is rather the nature of the place; the grass, the streams and rivers, the rolling prairie and suchlike that defined Kansas to its first people.
'Plains Indians' are usually divided into two broad groups which overlap to some degree. The first group became a fully nomadic 'horse culture' during the 18th and 19th centuries, following the vast herds of buffalo.
This group includes the Blackfoot, Arapaho, Cheyenne, (which you, Jim, already know about), the Comanche, Crow, Kiowa, Lakota, Plains Apache or Kiowa Apache and Plains Cree.
The second group of Plains Indians were what are called 'semi-sedentary', and, in addition to hunting buffalo, they lived in villages, often raised crops, and actively traded with other tribes.
These include the Hidatsa, Iowa, Kansa, Kitsai, Mandan, Missouria, Omaha, Osage, Otoe, Pawnee, Wichita, and the Santee Dakota, Yanktonai and Yankton Dakota.
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| Native American Horse Culture |
As I've explained before, most Native Americans of the Great Plains were nomadic, relying on the recently developed 'horse culture'.
The Native Americans in the southwest began to acquire horses in the 16th century by trading or stealing them from Spanish colonists in New Mexico.
As horse culture moved northward, the Comanche were among the first to commit to a fully mounted nomadic lifestyle.
This occurred by the 1730s, when they had acquired enough horses to put all their people on horseback.
The horse enabled the Plains tribes to gain their subsistence with relative ease from the seemingly limitless buffalo herds.
Riders were able to travel faster and farther in search of bison herds, and to transport more goods, thus making it possible to enjoy a richer material environment than their non-nomadic ancestors.
For the Plains peoples, the horse became an item of prestige as well as utility, and so they were extravagantly fond of their horses, and the lifestyle they permitted.
It was the Comanche who first realized the potential of the horse.
As pure nomads and hunters, well supplied with horses, they swept most of the mixed-economy Apaches from the plains, and by the 1730s were dominant in the Great Plains south of the Arkansas River.
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| Spreading across the Great Plains |
The success of the Comanche encouraged other Indian tribes to adopt a similar lifestyle.
The southern Plains Indians acquired vast numbers of horses, and by the 19th century, Comanche and Kiowa families owned an average of 35 horses and mules each – and only six or seven were necessary for transport and war.
The horses extracted a toll on the environment as well as requiring labor to care for the herd.
Formerly societies in which all were approximately equal became more divided by wealth, with a negative impact on the role of women.
The richest men would have several wives and captives, who would help manage their possessions, especially horses.
The Lakota or Teton Sioux eventually became the dominant Plains tribe by the mid 19th century.
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| Large War Party |
They had relatively small horse herds, thus having less impact on their ecosystem.
At the same time, they occupied the heart of prime buffalo range, which was also an excellent region for furs, which could be sold to French and American traders for goods such as guns, and eventually the Lakota became the most powerful of the Plains tribes.
Unfortunately for the Native Americans, however, their reliance on the buffalo eventually became their great weakness.
The US government quickly realized that the Plains tribes could not survive without the buffalo herds, and undertook to slaughter the species.
The culture of the Plains tribes was unable to adapt quickly enough to the disappearance of the buffalo, and that marked the beginning of the end of the Plains Indians way of life.
Along with the slaughter by white hunters of the vast buffalo herds, armed conflicts intensified in the late 19th Century between Native American nations on the Plains and the U.S. government, through what were generally called the 'Indian Wars'.
Important conflicts in this period include the Dakota War, Great Sioux War, Snake War and Colorado War.
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| Theodore Roosevelt |
Expressing the frontier 'anti-Indian' sentiment, Theodore Roosevelt believed the Indians were destined to vanish under the pressure of white 'civilization', stating in an 1886 lecture:
'I don't go so far as to think that the only good Indians are dead Indians, but I believe nine out of ten are, and I shouldn't like to inquire too closely into the case of the tenth.'
Among the most notable events during the 'Indian Wars' was the 'Wounded Knee Massacre' in 1890.
In the years leading up to that event, the U.S. Government had continued to seize land where the Native Americans had lived and hunted.
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| Wovoka |
A Ghost Dance ritual on the Northern Lakota reservation at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, led to the U.S. Army's attempt to subdue the followers of Wovoka...
If you remember, Jim, the dance was part of a religious movement founded by the Northern Paiute leader Wovoka, who told the tribes that if they performed the 'Ghost Dance' properly, the European American colonists would vanish, the buffalo herds would return, and the living and the dead would be reunited in a 'perfect world'.
On December 29th at 'Wounded Knee', gunfire erupted, and U.S. soldiers killed up to 300 Native Americans, mostly old men, women, and children.
After 'Wounded Knee', the tribes were herded into 'reservations', and the culture and independence of the tribes of the great Plains came to an end."
After that ominous statement the 'Boss' became quiet.
Jim and Josh said nothing, thinking that the 'Boss' had been affected by his own description of the decline of the Native American culture, and the accompanying massacres.
As you have probably realized, however, the 'Boss' was made of sterner stuff, and was, in fact, concentrating on finding a 'diner' for a lunch break.
"Jim....'phone Faunus and tell him that we are stopping in a few minutes to have lunch.", the 'Boss' said, as he located the diner for which he was looking a little way up the highway.
In Jim's convertible Faunus put down his 'cell-phone'.
Meanwhile Ethan had been sitting next to Faunus, stroking Teddy's paw, and 'thinking' - always something that signaled the possibility of problems.
"So remind me, Faunus - why are we going to Kansas ?", Ethan, who was obviously puzzled, asked.
"Well, Ethan, we're looking for a boy." Faunus replied, rather unhelpfully..
"Fair enough.....", Ethan replied, suspiciously.
"Just any boy...or a particular boy ?", Ethan continued.
"A particular boy...", Faunus replied.
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| Rural Kansas - Depopulation |
Glen simply ignored the conversation, as by then he had become used to such odd interactions.
"So what's the problem then ?", Ethan asked.
"Kansas, Ethan, is a very strange state - but not unique in the US.", Faunus replied.
"In what way ?", Ethan asked, determined to get answers to the questions that were troubling him.
"People are just leaving the place.
There are literally hundreds of abandoned towns in Kansas... with closed schools, closed churches, and simply no people.
You can go for miles without seeing anyone......
The boy we're looking for presumably lives on a farm - but there are so many abandoned farms... and he goes to high-school, because Kurt heard of him because he's a good high-school athlete, but again, hundreds of schools have closed.
It's what they call depopulation.", Faunus explained.
Ethan looked - once again - puzzled.
"So why are these people leaving these places.?", Ethan asked.
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| Roadside Diner |
"Lots of reasons - but mostly because of the agriculture.
They grow a lot in Kansas - but the farms now are so mechanized and big, that they need very few people to work them - so people just leave for the cities.", Faunus replied - and Ethan nodded, pretending to understand.
"So how do we find this guy ?", Glen asked, finally taking an interest.
"Well the 'Boss' was given a photo by Kurt....", Faunus said.
"So what...? we just stop anyone we see on the Interstate and say, 'Do you know this guy ?'...", Ethan suggested sarcastically.
Faunus shrugged his shoulders...
But by then they had come to the diner.
Ethan gave it a quick look.
"At least this one's been painted-up recently....", he said, grabbing up Teddy's bag.
Teddy, not surprisingly, squeaked, as he strongly objected to being handled roughly.
Frying and grilling - that was the inevitable smell of a roadside diner - and the main dish on the menu it seemed was chicken - a favorite in Kansas.
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| Kansas Chicken |
Jim was pleasantly surprised by the neat, clean table settings, and the quaint but clean crockery, which had a decidedly 'folksy' feel to it - of which 'Aunt Em' would have undoubtedly approved.
Now where Jim had acquired his expertise with regard to 'dining' was something of a mystery. In Ancient Greece Rome the nearest thing to a 'roadside diner' was a 'thermopolium' - an establishment that Marcus and Petronius, (Jim and Zac), had regularly patronized when they were working in the Amphitheatre at Baiae - but a 'thermopolium' was even more 'rough and ready' than an American 'roadside diner'.
Regardless, when the 'Boss' realized that he had inadvertently mentioned 'Aunt Em' when talking to Jim, he knew that he was in deep trouble.
Ethan, of course, wanted to know who was 'Aunt Em' - and then wanted to know all about the 'Wizard of OZ'.
L Frank Baum
Aunt Em The 'Wizard of Oz' is an American movie produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Widely considered to be one of the greatest films in cinema history, it is the best-known and most commercially successful adaptation of L. Frank Baum's 1900 children's book 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'. 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' is considered the first American 'fairy tale' because of its references to a definite American location in Kansas. The key to the 'Wizard of Oz', however, - based on Baum's Theosophical beliefs, - is the statement, 'There's no place like home...', which is a salutary consideration for the main characters in 'Club Jaguar' - but their task is to find out where is their 'home'. As Faunus stated in 'The Story of Gracchus' - Marcus had 'lost himself' - and if you are lost you cannon find your' home'.........
The 'Boss', however, refused to give an account of the 'Wizard of Oz' in the roadside diner, but instead promised to tell Ethan the story once they were settled in the hotel in Wichita - which was their destination for the night.
So they all ate their chicken, with Jim, Novius, Josh and Glen, all wondering what all this talk was about a 'wizard', and a place called 'Oz'.....
Ethan had no idea himself, but was certain that it would be a wonderful story, like 'Bambi', 'Peter Pan' or 'Snow White'.
Teddy, of course knew the story all too well - and was well aware of its deeper meaning.....and that left Teddy wondering where his 'home' was.....(like 'there's no place like home'.)
Theosophy (see above) is an esoteric movement established in the United States during the late nineteenth century. It was founded largely by the Russian émigré Helena Blavatsky, and draws its beliefs predominantly from Blavatsky's writings. Categorized by scholars of religion as part of the occultist current of Western esotericism, it draws upon both older European philosophies related to Neoplatonism.
After lunch it was back on the road.....
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| Wizard of Oz - Movie 1939 |
"So what's this business about 'the Wizard of Oz', Sir ?", Jim asked.
"Don't even ask.", the 'Boss' sighed.
"But just remember to look out for a DVD of the movie when we get back to 'civilization', as Ethan will almost certainly be wanting it for his collection.", the 'Boss' replied, while trying to combine driving with trying to remember the story, in order to tell it to Ethan later.
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| Abandoned Community - Kansas |
Now Jim, Josh and Novius had not heard the explanation given by Faunus to Ethan with regard to the gradual 'depopulation' of Kansas, but as they drove on, they became aware that there were very few inhabited towns on their route, and that occasionally they passed through areas that appeared to be strangely abandoned.
Back in Jim's convertible, Ethan had also noticed the abandoned communities.
"So you said that people are now leaving parts of Kansas, but what was here before all these people who are now leaving came.", Ethan asked Faunus.
"Well do you want the long version - or the short version ?", Faunus replied.
"The 'medium' - please....", Ethan said.
Faunus grinned.
"OK....
Originally Kansas was the home of nomadic Native American tribes who hunted the vast herds of bison (often called "buffalo").
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| Spanish Conquistadors |
Kansas was later explored by Spanish 'conquistadors' in the 16th century.
"Conquista - who's ?", Ethan interrupted in his own inimitable way.
"Spanish people who conquered parts of America...", Faunus explained - and Ethan nodded.
"It was later explored by French fur trappers who traded with the Native Americans.
Later, most of Kansas became permanently part of the United States.
In 1854 the area was opened to settlement for the Native American tribe called the 'Kansa' after which Kansas was named.
Kansas was home to frontier towns, and their railroads were destinations for cattle drives from Texas.
With the railroads came heavy immigration from the East of America.
The main crop that these settlers grew was wheat.
Since 1945, however, the farm population has sharply declined, and manufacturing has become more important, typified by the aircraft industry of Wichita - where we're going to stay later." Faunus said.
"OK - but originally it belonged to the Indians - so tell me about them - they sound more interesting that the farmers.", Ethan interrupted.
"Yes, but before the Indians you need to know about the 'Dust Bowl'.", Faunus said.
Ethan looked confused, (imagining a huge bowl full of sand), but decide to say nothing.
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| Dust Storm - 1930s |
"The 'Dust Bowl' was a series of dust storms caused by a massive drought that began in 1930 and lasted until 1941.
The storms blew away the topsoil, making farming almost impossible.
The effect of the drought was overshadowed by the plunging wheat prices and the financial crisis of the Great Depression.
Many local banks were forced to close.
Some farmers left the land, but even larger numbers of unemployed men left the cities to return to their family's farm - which was not good.
The US Government had to act, and set up relief programs which put hundreds of thousands of Kansans - mostly men - to work at unskilled labor.
Most important of all were the farm programs, which raised the price of wheat and other crops, and allowed economic recovery by 1936.
Then, of course, there was a war in Europe and the Pacific - and with the drought coming to an end, and the economy improving, things got better - but Kansas never really recovered - a bit like parts of the South after the Civil War.", Faunus continued.
"Yes....all very interesting...but what about the Indians ?.", Ethan insisted.
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| War Trophy - Captured US Cavalry Guidon |
"OK... In the 1820s, the area that would become Kansas was set aside as 'Indian Territory' by the U.S. government, and was closed to settlement by whites.
The government resettled to Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma) those Native American tribes based in eastern Kansas, principally the 'Kansa' and 'Osage', opening land to move eastern tribes into the area.
The Kaw Nation (or Kanza or Kansa) are a Native American tribe in Oklahoma and parts of Kansas. They come from the central Midwestern United States. The tribe known as Kaw have also been known as the 'People of the South Wind'. Their tribal language is Kansa, classified as a Siouan language.
By a treaty in 1825, 20 million acres of land was ceded by the 'Kansa' Nation to the United States, and the 'Kansa' tribe was limited to a specific reservation in northeast Kansas.
At the same time, the 'Osage' Nation was limited to a reservation in southeast Kansas.
Another tribe, the 'Delaware', came to Kansas from Ohio and other eastern areas by a treaty of 1829.
However, despite the plans that were made to settle Native Americans in Kansas, by 1850 white Americans were illegally squatting on their land, and demanding that the entire area to be opened for settlement.
By the 1853, it was clear that eastern Kansas would soon be opened to American settlers.
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| Pawnee and Kansa |
Eventually Kansas became the 34th state admitted to the Union on January 29, 1861.
In 1859 Fort Larned in central Kansas was established as a base of military operations against hostile Indians of the Central Plains, to protect traffic along the 'Santa Fe Trail' and became an agency for the administration of the Central Plains Indians by the Bureau of Indian Affairs under the terms of the Fort Wise Treaty.
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| Pawnee and Kansa |
Conflict between the US Army and the Native American Indians continued until the late 1870s - with the Indians being finally defeated, and forced onto reservations.
And right up until almost the end, ravaged by disease, hunger and poverty, and the loss of their lands, the 'Kansa' continued with a seemingly endless conflict with the Pawnee.
And so Faunus' explanation for Ethan ended - to all intents and purposes - as sadly as that of the explanation given by the 'Boss' to Jim - simply because that was the way it was....
Up front, in the Cadillac, Jim decided to risk a question about the hotel, although the 'Boss' was not in the best of moods because of the impending 'Oz' story telling session with Ethan.
"So have you selected a hotel for our next stay ?", Jim asked.
"Of course, Jim... and they will, as usual, be expecting us.....
Wichita is quite a big place, so there's plenty of choice, and a few good quality hotels.....and for our stay I've chosen the Hyatt Regency.", the 'Boss' replied.
"And will Ethan like it ?", Jim asked.
"Definitely !", the 'Boss' said, with a smile.
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| Wichita by Night |
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita began as a trading post in the 1860s, and was incorporated as a city in 1870. It became a destination for cattle drives traveling north from Texas to Kansas railroads, earning it the rather unflattering nickname "Cowtown." In the 1920s and 1930s, businessmen and aeronautical engineers established aircraft manufacturing companies in Wichita, including Beechcraft, Cessna, and Stearman Aircraft. The city became a U.S. aircraft production hub known as 'The Air Capital of the World'. Textron Aviation, Learjet, Airbus, and Spirit AeroSystems continue to operate design and manufacturing facilities in Wichita. Wichita is also home to McConnell Air Force Base, and Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, the largest airport in Kansas. As an industrial hub, Wichita is a regional center of culture, media, and trade. It hosts several universities, large museums, theaters, parks, and entertainment venues. Wichita State University is the third-largest post-secondary institution in the state.
And so they drove into Wichita, which was to be their base as they searched for the elusive boy that Kurt has suggested to the 'Boss' sometime previously.
"Nice looking place....", Ethan said, surveying the scene.
"At least it's a real city - unlike some of the places we've stayed in - but it's a funny name.", Ethan added, as Teddy, sitting on Ethan's knee, looked around.
"The name actually comes from the name of a Native American tribe....", Faunus replied.
"The Wichita people, or Kitikiti'sh, are a confederation of Southern Plains Native American tribes.
Historically they spoke the Wichita language, and they are mainly found in Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas.", Faunus explained.
"Oh you are so clever !", Ethan answered, mockingly.
"Well I just hope the pillows are nice and soft in the hotel....softer that Ethan's knees...", Teddy commented.
Soon they arrived at the hotel - the 'Hyatt Regency'.
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| Hyatt Regency Hotel - Wichita - Entrance |
"Well this looks promising...", Jim said, as he gazed up at the impressively tall building.
Having parked, they strode into the reception area of the hotel - followed by a gaggle of bellhops with their luggage.
"The name's Johnson - Alexander Johnson....", the 'Boss' announced - in what seemed to be an intentional 'takeoff' of a well known, fictional secret agent.....
"I booked some rooms and suites for myself, and my party."
The receptionist seemed to be transfixed by the sight of Josh with an owl sitting on his wrist, and Ethan carrying a teddy-bear.
"I'm not sure if we allow birds in the guest rooms... the receptionist said, nervously.
"Well I have booked a double suite - for the gentleman and 'Glaux' - that's the owl, and also for the gentleman with the teddy-bear - bears should always have their own bed, I'm sure you'll agree.
But if you have some petty rule about owls and teddys - well there are plenty of other hotels at which myself and my party could stay....", the 'Boss' suggested, very politely.
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| Hyatt Regency Hotel - Wichita - Reception |
The receptionist looked flustered, as she obviously totted up in her head the thousands of dollars that were involved in losing the presidential suite, vice-presidential suite, and a number of other suites, over the matter of a tiny owl, and a fluffy teddy-bear.
"I'll just check with the manager...", the receptionist muttered.
The 'Boss' indicated to the bellhops not to put down the luggage, as if he was preparing to leave.
Faunus watched the whole show with a smile.
Jim desperately hoped the matter would be resolved in their favor, as he really liked the look of the Hyatt Regency.
"You see, Jim, they have a nice classical cornice...", the 'Boss' casually said as they waited.
"Always, if they want to suggest a certain refined ambiance, they use motifs from Greek or Roman architecture."
Jim nodded in agreement, as he admired not only the decorative details, but also the way the 'Boss' so skillfully handled an awkward situation.
Within moments the manager arrived in reception - looking almost as flustered as the receptionist.
"Ah...Mr. Johnson...I am so sorry to keep you waiting !
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| Teddy's Pillows |
So please...my assistant manager will escort you to your suite, and please do not hesitate to let myself, or my staff, know if you have any requirements of any kind, and we will ensure that everything shall be done to your satisfaction...."
The 'Boss' nodded in a rather imperious manner, and allowed the assistant manager to escort them to the elevators.
And soon they were all settled in very pleasant accommodation, and Teddy was more than satisfied with the pillows on Ethan's bed.
Then it was a matter of unpacking - a shower - deciding what to wear, and finding that a shopping expedition was urgently needed (for some things more formal) - and then a quick look round before dinner.
 |
| Private Dining Room |
And so they gathered for dinner - the 'Boss', Novius, Faunus, Jim, Josh (with Glaux), Ethan, Teddy, and Glen.
At the Hyatt Regency there was a private dining room, which the 'Boss' had reserved for the entire period of their stay - and this could also serve as a 'conference room'.
Soon they were all seated, with their orders taken, and as drinks were served, the 'Boss' turned to Ethan.
"And so...Ethan, how do you like this hotel ?", the 'Boss' asked, knowing beforehand what the answer would be.
"I like it, Sir.", Ethan replied, being careful not to make any 'smart' remarks, as he was hoping that later the 'Boss' would tell the story of the 'Wizard of Oz'.
"But isn't it very expensive ?", Glen interrupted.
"It's quite expensive...", the 'Boss' agreed, "But then you've all had to put up with some less that perfect accommodation, so I think, as we might be here for a few days, we all deserve something rather more comfortable.", the 'Boss' explained.
"And why Gnæus are we staying here for a few days ?", Novius asked.
 |
| Jonothan- High School Wrestling |
"Oh yes...this mysterious 'farm-boy'...", Josh said, and Glaux nodded.
"So how do we find him, if we don't even know what he looks like ?", Jim asked.
"Well, as I told you some time ago, Kurt gave me a photo - taken off the Internet.
Unfortunately the only information accompanying the photo was the boy's last name, and the fact that he came from Kansas.", the 'Boss' said.
"But I have brought the photo with me, and now is a good time for you all to see it.
"And the young man's name ?", Jim inquired.
The young man's last name is 'Kent' - but it's not an unusual name - so there's no point in checking in 'directory inquiries'.
"So how do we find him ?", Glen asked.
"Well the only way I can suggest is that we spread out from our base here - and ask around - but discreetly mind you, in High Schools, sports equipment shops, and local farms.
We have a name, and we have a photo - that I can have duplicated - so hopefully we will soon hit lucky.", the 'Boss' concluded.
"And the young man's name ?", Jim inquired.
The young man's last name is 'Kent' - but it's not an unusual name - so there's no point in checking in 'directory inquiries'.
"So how do we find him ?", Glen asked.
"Well the only way I can suggest is that we spread out from our base here - and ask around - but discreetly mind you, in High Schools, sports equipment shops, and local farms.
We have a name, and we have a photo - that I can have duplicated - so hopefully we will soon hit lucky.", the 'Boss' concluded.
"Now what about my story, Sir ?", Ethan, who presumed that 'business' was over, asked pleadingly.
"You did promise, Sir..... ", Teddy added, making it quite impossible for the 'Boss' to refuse, as he settled comfortably on Ethan's knee.
"Well...If you insist,", the 'Boss' said, taking a sip of his after dinner coffee.
"But I must admit, I haven't read the original book - by L Frank Baum, and he also wrote a lot of sequels - which were never as popular as the first book.
Now in 1939 MGM made a remarkable film of the first book - a 'musical' actually - starring Judy Garland - and as soon as possible I'll buy a disk of the film - all digitally remastered.
But now I'll do my best to tell the story.....", the 'Boss' began.
"The story begins in Kansas - on a farm, maybe like the farm on which our 'mystery boy' lives - but many years ago, when things were simpler - in some ways."
"You mean they didn't have 'cell-phones' and DVD players and flat screen TVs ? ", Ethan interrupted.
"Yes, Ethan - but who's telling this story ? you or me ?", the 'Boss' said, gently.
"You, Sir......sorry.", Ethan said, and Teddy looked at Ethan disapprovingly.
"So the movie was made in 1939, and began in what was then called 'black and white', although it was actually in sepia, and everyone seeing the film for the first time thought that was quite normal.
The story begins with a little girl who lives with her uncle Henry and her aunt....that's 'Aunt Em' who we mentioned at the diner.
They live on a farm in Kansas.
There are also three farm hands, lunk-headed Hunk, blustery-but-timid Zeke, and seemingly cold-hearted Hickory.
"Well...If you insist,", the 'Boss' said, taking a sip of his after dinner coffee.
"But I must admit, I haven't read the original book - by L Frank Baum, and he also wrote a lot of sequels - which were never as popular as the first book.
Now in 1939 MGM made a remarkable film of the first book - a 'musical' actually - starring Judy Garland - and as soon as possible I'll buy a disk of the film - all digitally remastered.
"The story begins in Kansas - on a farm, maybe like the farm on which our 'mystery boy' lives - but many years ago, when things were simpler - in some ways."
"You mean they didn't have 'cell-phones' and DVD players and flat screen TVs ? ", Ethan interrupted.
"Yes, Ethan - but who's telling this story ? you or me ?", the 'Boss' said, gently.
"You, Sir......sorry.", Ethan said, and Teddy looked at Ethan disapprovingly.
"So the movie was made in 1939, and began in what was then called 'black and white', although it was actually in sepia, and everyone seeing the film for the first time thought that was quite normal.
The story begins with a little girl who lives with her uncle Henry and her aunt....that's 'Aunt Em' who we mentioned at the diner.
They live on a farm in Kansas.
 |
| Almira Gulch, Aunt Em, Dorothy and Toto |
One day a neighbor, Miss Almira Gulch, is bitten by Dorothy's dog, Toto.
Dorothy senses that Miss Gulch will try to do something dreadful, but her aunt and uncle, as well as the farmhands, are too busy with their work to listen.
Anyway Miss Gulch shows up, and takes Toto away to be destroyed, by order of the sheriff.
Toto, however, escapes and returns to Dorothy, who realizes Miss Gulch will also return, so Dorothy decides to take Toto, and run away.
 |
| Dorothy and Professor Marvel |
Dorothy rushes back to the farm, but is knocked unconscious, inside the house, by a sudden tornado - and tornadoes are not unusual in Kansas - so be warned.
A confused Dorothy awakens to discover the house has been caught up in the twister. Through the bedroom window, she sees a parade of people fly by.
 |
| The Tornado - Wizard of Oz |
Moments later the twister drops the house, Dorothy and Toto over the rainbow, and into the land of 'Oz'.
At this point the movie suddenly turns into the most glorious technicolor.
At this point the movie suddenly turns into the most glorious technicolor.
Dorothy emerges from the house and meets Glinda, the 'Good Witch of the North', who informs Dorothy they are in 'Munchkinland'.
 |
| Glinda |
Encouraged by Glinda, the timid Munchkins come out of hiding and celebrate the demise of the witch until her sister, the 'Wicked Witch of the West', appears to claim the powerful ruby slippers.
Glinda magically transports the slippers onto Dorothy's feet, and reminds the witch her power is ineffectual in Munchkinland.
The witch vows revenge on Dorothy, and leaves the same way she arrived, in a blaze of fire and smoke.
 |
| 'Follow the Yellow Brick Road' |
Glinda advises Dorothy to never take off the slippers and 'follow the yellow brick road' to reach the 'Emerald City'.
 |
| Dorothy and Friends |
The three decide to accompany Dorothy to the Wizard in hopes of obtaining their desires (a brain, a heart and courage respectively).
Along the way the group confronts a forest of angry apple trees and several failed attempts by the witch to stop them, notably the Deadly Poppy Fields which lull Dorothy, Toto and the Lion to sleep.
 |
| The Emerald City |
The group then departs for the witch's castle.
On their way to the witch's castle, they are attacked by flying monkeys, who carry Dorothy and Toto away and deliver her to the witch, who demands the ruby slippers.
When Dorothy refuses, the witch tries to remove them but is prevented by a shower of sparks.
She realizes the shoes cannot be removed as long as Dorothy is alive and plots on how to destroy her without damaging the shoes' spell.
As the Witch is considering on how to kill Dorothy, Toto takes the opportunity to take escape from the Witch’s grasp, and Toto manages to escape, much to Dorothy’s relief.
Meanwhile, Toto manages to find the lion, the scarecrow, and the Tin Man and lead them to the castle
Thanks to Toto, though, they discover the wizard is not really a wizard at all, just a man behind a curtain.
Meanwhile, Toto manages to find the lion, the scarecrow, and the Tin Man and lead them to the castle
Once inside they are barely able to free Dorothy and attempt an escape.
The witch and her soldiers corner the group on a parapet, where the witch sets the Scarecrow on fire.
To douse the flames, Dorothy throws water on them, and accidentally splashes water on the horrified witch, causing her to melt
To the group's surprise, the soldiers are delighted.
Their captain gives Dorothy the broomstick to thank her for their liberation from the witch.
Upon their return, the wizard tells Dorothy and her companions to go away and come back the next day.
 |
| The Wizard of Oz |
They are outraged at the deception, but the wizard solves their wishes through common sense and a little double talk rather than magic (even telling them that they had what they were searching for all along).
The wizard explains that he too was born in Kansas, and his presence in Oz was the result of an escaped hot air balloon.
He promises to take Dorothy home in the same balloon after leaving the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman and Lion in charge of Emerald City.
The wizard explains that he too was born in Kansas, and his presence in Oz was the result of an escaped hot air balloon.
He promises to take Dorothy home in the same balloon after leaving the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman and Lion in charge of Emerald City.
Just before take off, Toto jumps out of the balloon's basket after a cat.
Dorothy jumps out to catch Toto, and the wizard, unable to control the balloon, leaves without her.
 |
| The Wizard Exposed |
Glinda explains she did not tell Dorothy at first because she needed to learn - 'if you can't find your heart's desire in your own backyard, then you never really lost it to begin with.'
Dorothy and Toto say goodbye to their friends, and Dorothy follows Glinda's instructions to 'tap your heels together and repeat the words, There's no place like home.
Back in sepia tone she awakens in her bedroom in Kansas surrounded by family and friends and tells them of her journey.
Everyone laughs and tells her it was all a bad dream, except Uncle Henry.
A happy Dorothy, still convinced the journey was real, hugs Toto and says, 'There's no place like home'.", the 'Boss' concluded.
"And what happened to Miss Gulch, who was after Toto ?", Ethan asked.
"Don't ask awkward questions.", the 'Boss' replied.
"Sorry, Sir.... anyway, I liked 'Snow White', 'Bambi' and 'Peter Pan' a lot better.....there's something creepy about the story of the Wizard of Oz... and I don't think I'd like to meet any of the characters from the story.", Ethan said, sounding disappointed.
"Perhaps you're right Ethan... I think it's maybe what comes of trying to combine - too obviously - philosophy with a fairy-tale.
Maybe it has ruined what could have been a really good story.", the 'Boss' suggested.
"Perhaps...", Ethan said, not really understanding what the 'Boss' meant by 'philosophy'.
Of course the 'Boss' had known from the start - when 'Aunt Em' was first mentioned at the diner, that a story that ended with the words 'There's no place like home' would probably stir up some difficult thoughts in a group of boys who were impossibly distant from their true home.... - that was an ongoing problem.....
so a story ending 'And they all lived happily ever after', was always so much better.
 |
| 'There's No Place Like Home' |
"Perhaps you're right Ethan... I think it's maybe what comes of trying to combine - too obviously - philosophy with a fairy-tale.
Maybe it has ruined what could have been a really good story.", the 'Boss' suggested.
"Perhaps...", Ethan said, not really understanding what the 'Boss' meant by 'philosophy'.
Of course the 'Boss' had known from the start - when 'Aunt Em' was first mentioned at the diner, that a story that ended with the words 'There's no place like home' would probably stir up some difficult thoughts in a group of boys who were impossibly distant from their true home.... - that was an ongoing problem.....
so a story ending 'And they all lived happily ever after', was always so much better.
"Now, after that pleasant diversion, I think we should return to the main purpose of our stay here in Kansas.", the 'Boss' began.
"Kurt wants to 'audition' the boy whose photo I showed you earlier.
First we need to find him, and then we let Faunus here convince him, and possibly the boy's family, that he should come to 'Vegas - and that might be as difficult as finding him in the first place.
As I said, the family name is Kent, which is not much to go on.
Now some readers may be thinking - 'Clark Kent' - but in this 'alternative America' there is no such person as 'Clark Kent', either in their 'real world', or in comic books, movies, or TV series. 'Clark Kent' may well be a feature of other 'alternative worlds' - and maybe yours - but not the one in which the 'boy's find themselves. So there's no Krypton, no meteor shower, no Lex Luthor or Metropolis. The boy they're looking for, although they don't know it yet is, in this world, Jonathan Kent Jnr. - the actual son of Jonathan and Martha Kent.
"So tomorrow we start the search.
Jim and Ethan will make one group - Josh and Glen will make another group - Faunus and myself will make a third group, and Novius will stay here with Teddy and Glaux, and look after the 'cell-phone' communication, and internet research.
However, I would say that its not imperative that we find this boy, but as we're in this area of the country it should be an interesting exercise and, if nothing else, a good excuse to experience a different part of the country first hand.
So let's have an early night and an early start tomorrow.", the 'Boss' concluded.
And so the group vacated the private dining room, and returned to their suites.
Jim and Ethan will make one group - Josh and Glen will make another group - Faunus and myself will make a third group, and Novius will stay here with Teddy and Glaux, and look after the 'cell-phone' communication, and internet research.
However, I would say that its not imperative that we find this boy, but as we're in this area of the country it should be an interesting exercise and, if nothing else, a good excuse to experience a different part of the country first hand.
So let's have an early night and an early start tomorrow.", the 'Boss' concluded.
And so the group vacated the private dining room, and returned to their suites.
Now the 'Boss', as you have presumably realized, was 'no fool', and seriously doubted if the 'boys' would ever find the seemingly intangible 'farm boy' - so he had taken the wise step of also surreptitiously hiring a private detective agency.
Meanwhile, Jim and Ethan, who were up early, and sitting in Jim's convertible, were planning their strategy.
"OK...we're in Wichita - but 'farm-boys' don't go to school in Wichita...", Jim began.
"But how do we know he's a 'farm-boy'.", Ethan asked.
 |
| Route 50 |
So here we are, in Wichita, which slap bang in the center Kansas....so all we have to do is find a good farming area near Wichita.", Jim suggested.
"OK...then let's check on the Internet.", Ethan said as he started to get interested in what he saw as a game.
They soon found a site that had a map showing local farms around Wichita.
"Looks like most of them are to the north of Wichita - so we can at least start driving in that direction.", Jim said.
So while Jim was driving, Ethan was checking out some of the towns with farms.
"Here !...", Ethan said excitedly.
"I've found a town called Hutchinson.....right where all these farms are."
 |
| Hutchinson - Arial Photo |
"Yes...it does...Do you want me to read it to you.", Ethan asked.
"Yes, but only the parts that are of any interest to us.", Jim replied.
Now Ethan was not much of a reader - he read very little - as he mainly watched DVDs - or listened to commentaries on video clips on the Internet - so we'll ignore his mispronunciations, or his numerous mistakes.
"Well..... it's located on the Arkansas River, wherever that is....and apparently they mine salt there....odd ?...
I think it's quite a big place for 'wacky Kansas' - with 42,000 people living there.", Ethan commented.
"That's a lot of people - so we can't go knocking on everyone's door...", Jim said grinning.
I think it's quite a big place for 'wacky Kansas' - with 42,000 people living there.", Ethan commented."That's a lot of people - so we can't go knocking on everyone's door...", Jim said grinning.
"It also says that it hosts the 'Kansas State Fair', - and also - and this sounds good - it's home to the 'Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center' aerospace museum - with another of those planetarium thingys.
"Oh yes...but it was a bit weird - all about a pig.
I think 'old people' would like it - and it was a bit 'girly'."
('Girly' was Ethan's favorite word to describe anything to do with 'romance' and 'girl meets boy').
Of course, interest in pigs was just the sort of thing that would probably go down very well in a place like Hutchinson.
Kansas State Fair is held annually in Hutchinson, Kansas, United States. It starts the Friday following 'Labor Day' in September, and lasts for 10 days. This fair is the largest single event in the State, and annually attracts approximately 335,000 people from all 105 Kansas counties, and several other states. The fairgrounds is centered at 23rd Ave, between Main St and Plum St, in Hutchinson, and consists of 280 acres with over 70 buildings, and 25 full-time year-round staff."Didn't you have a DVD called 'State Fair', Ethan ?", Jim asked.
"Oh yes...but it was a bit weird - all about a pig.
 |
| Kansas State Fair |
('Girly' was Ethan's favorite word to describe anything to do with 'romance' and 'girl meets boy').
Of course, interest in pigs was just the sort of thing that would probably go down very well in a place like Hutchinson.
'State Fair' is a 1945 American musical film - (full of unmemorable songs despite Rodgers and Hammerstein) - directed by Walter Lang. It is a musical adaptation of the 1933 film of the same name, with original music by Rodgers and Hammerstein. The film stars Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews, Dick Haymes, Vivian Blaine, Fay Bainter, and Charles Winninger. State Fair was remade in 1962, that time starring Pat Boone and Ann-Margret. Ethan had both versions - despite his disparaging comments. The 'Fair' was set in Iowa in the 1945 film, and in Texas for the 1962 version.
And here's the good bit for our business...there's lots of farming.", Ethan said, sounding quite pleased with himself.
 |
| Hutchinson Grain Elevator |
"It then goes on a lot about this 'salt' business - and also says the town has the world's longest grain elevator - so there obviously must be a lot of farming.", Ethan continued.
"And what's a grain elevator ?", Jim asked.
"Well...an elevator in a hotel is something that takes you up and down, instead of stairs - and as 'grain' can't walk up and down stairs, then I suppose that a 'grain elevator' just moves grain up and down - but if it's the biggest in the world, then it seems we've 'hit the jackpot' for farming....", Ethan suggested, in his strangely logical way.
Ethan showed Jim an image of the grain elevator.
"Well...that looks real big !..", Jim said - lapsing into that strange South-Western way of speaking.
"Ugly but big...", Ethan commented.
"Yes, it's looks good, as long as there's not too many farms.", Jim added.
"So should we tell the others that we've found a possible place ?", Ethan asked hesitantly.
"Well yes, but just Josh and Glen for the moment.
The 'Boss', with Faunus, don't really need our help, as I expect that Faunus has already found young Kent....you know, with his 'extra-sensory' stuff.", Jim said.
"According to this web-site there's only one high school in the town, so we could go there, as it's our best chance - and we'll leave Josh and Glen with the Library.", Ethan said, determined to reach their 'target' first.
"OK..so I'll 'phone them, and you see if the high-school's got a web-site.", Jim said.
"Anyway, it's going to take them some time, as they're relying on cabs.", Ethan added.
 |
| Hutchinson High School |
Hutchinson High School is a public high school located in Hutchinson, Kansas, United States. This school is the only public High School within the city limits of Hutchinson. The enrollment is approximately 1,500 students. The school mascot is the Salthawk (?) and the school colors are blue and gold.
"Jim....what's a 'salt hawk' ?", Ethan asked plaintively.
 |
| Salt Hawk - Hutchinson High |
"Ah ! found it !...It's got something to do with a thing called 'Star Wars', whatever that is.
I think this is something to do with real weirdness, and is best left alone..", .Ethan said - looking very confused, and a little nervous.
High School Marching Band High school is a term used in the United States to describe the level of education students receive from approximately 13 to 18 years old. High schools have subject-based classes. In North America, most high schools include grades nine through twelve and students attend them following junior high school. Pupils (students) enter at the age of 13 or 14 and pass through four years - Freshman (ninth grade), Sophomore (tenth grade, ) Junior (eleventh grade), Senior (twelfth grade). School years are normally around nine months long (from August or September to May or June), and are broken up into quarters or semesters. Students arriving between seven and nine in the morning and leaving school between two and four in the afternoon. Four to eight 45 to 90 minute class periods, broken up by around five minutes to get to the next class.
High School Football
There is a lunch break (some schools permit students to leave campus to eat, though most hold lunches on-site). Homework amount differs depending on the school's purpose and culture. Extracurricular sports team activities take place right after school, which includes track, field, swimming, basketball, football and wrestling - and the better the school district the larger the variety of extracurricular clubs and activities offered. Most school also have a marching band to accompany some sporting activities.
High School Footballer
"Wowy !...Jim, I've just found another picture of our guy, - but this time it looks like he's in the football team....
A real all-round athlete, this guy.", Ethan enthused.
"That's good, Ethan...it means he'll probably be really well known - and all the easier to find." Jim said.
"OK....so let's drive to the High School.", Ethan suggested.
And so they drove through the obviously moderately affluent suburbs of Hutchinson.
As they drove, they came to a cemetery - something that strangely they had not encountered before in this 'new world'.
 |
| Tombs on the Appian Way - Rome |
They were, however, familiar with graves and memorials, although in the 'ancient world' that they knew so well, graves and memorials would line the roadside leading into the main towns and cities - as in the Via Appia in Rome itself.
In Ancient Rome, burial outside the city was the norm. Over time the city’s arterial roads were lined with tombs jostling for position and trying to catch the eye of the passer-by. Though the Romans had no universally shared conception of the afterlife, there seems to have been a general desire to be remembered in death. Building a noticeable tomb with a prominent inscription was a good starting point, and for ambitious Romans used to a lifetime of ostentatious competition, the grave provided a final opportunity to boast.
 |
| Memorial Park - Hutchinson - Kansas |
"Lets have a look here, before we go to the school.
We may find a tomb, or an inscription giving us a clue to the Kent family.", Jim suggested.
"OK...but it looks quite a big place....
Where do we start ?", Ethan asked, sounding not too eager.
"Well let's just start walking, and if we find nothing in a half an hour or so, then we'll make our way in the convertible to the High School, and we should be just in time for recess.
And so they began walking, and checking out the graves.
"Hey, Jim......there's a guy over there...", Ethan said pointing.
Maybe he works her, so what about asking him if he knows of any graves for the Kent family.
So they slowly made their way over to where the guy was standing, while still checking graves on their way.
The guys seemed to be looking and one particular grave, and it occurred to them that he might not be someone working at the cemetery, but instead someone visiting a grave - so they decided to be circumspect.
So they approached - very quietly - and then got a real shock.
The young man standing looking at the head-stone turned round, obviously aware of the presence of Jim and Ethan.
"Hi !", he said quietly.
There was a brief pause.
"Did you know him...?", the young man asked - presumably referring to the grave.
It was an embarrassing question.
"Well no...not really...", Jim replied quietly
It was an inexpensive head-stone - simple brown granite with poor lettering and a rather pointless little decoration at the top.
Nothing to compare with the huge, white marble mausoleum erected for the Dominus at Cumaea in Italy, Jim thought - and it was a long time since had last thought of that that vast monument.
"Perhaps, if you had met him, you would have liked him....he was a good man.", the boy said thoughtfully.
"Your'e related ?", Ethan asked, wondering if they could have really been that lucky.
"Yes.... actually I'm his son." the boy replied.
"Oh I see - I'm sorry.", Ethan replied, being unusually grown up and considerate in his reply.
"And you'r name is ?", Jim asked, just to get things straight.
"I'm Jonathan Kent junior, but most people just call me John.", the boy replied, holding out his hand in a friendly gesture.
"I see....my name's Jim, Jim Johnson, but my friends call me 'Jaguar Jim', and this is Ethan Duncan."
They all shook hands.
"Why Jaguar ?", Jonathan asked, obviously puzzled.
"Oh, it's just a nickname my uncle gave me - he's into Mayan things.", Jim explained, but Jonathan obviously didn't really know what Jim was talking about.
And your father - what does he think about you being called 'Jaguar' ?", Jonathan asked, apparently probing.
"My father's dead - when I was a teenager.", Jim replied.
"I see - a bit like me.....sorry....", Jonathan said.
"Yes....but I was lucky - my uncle adopted me.", Jim explained - as usual bending the truth slightly - but then what else could he say ?
"So you guys are not from around here ?", Jonathan said questioningly.
"No....from 'Vegas.
I'm here with my uncle on a business trip.", Jim explained.
"And Ethan ?", Jonathan asked, sounding a little suspicious.
"Oh, he's part of my uncle's security team."
"I see....so that explains the gun then...."
There was an awkward pause.
"But isn't he a bit young to be carrying a gun ?", Jonathan asked.
"Oh no - he's over 18, but he just looks younger....it's a family trait."
"So you're related ?", Jonathan persisted.
"Yes.... we're cousins."
"Are all you people from Kansas so suspicious ?", Ethan then asked bluntly.
"Well no, Ethan, but to find two very well dressed young guys, with a very expensive convertible, carrying guns, and wandering around a cemetery in a town like Hutchinson is a bit strange.", Jonathan explained.
"Suppose so.", Ethan replied, shrugging off the comment.
"So how does the family manage without your father ?", Jim asked, trying to sound solicitous.
"Well there's only me and Ma, and we have a hired hand, but things are difficult.
It's not a good time in Kansas for a small farm right now.", Jonathan said.
As they talked, Jim had subtly started to walk slowly towards the convertible.
"And after High School.....what are your plans ?", Jim asked, trying to sound casual.
"Well 'Ma' wants me to go to college, but really I'm needed on the farm, and there's not enough money to hire any other 'hands' - so I'll just have to stay on the farm, like my father.", Jonathan explained, sounding rather depressed.
At that point Jim was wishing that Faunus was with them.... he would know how to handle this situation.
"So what if you left college, and could get a job where you were so well paid that you could hire as many farm-hands as your mother would need, plus new, up to date machinery for the farm, and pay off any debts.
What would you say to that ?", Jim asked.
"Well I'd be a fool not to take it...but that's just a fantasy...
Who's going to offer me a job like that ?", Jonathan replied, sounding a little exasperated.
"My uncle.", Jim said, trying to sound casual, as they reached Jim's convertible.
"Come on, Jim - it's cruel to play games with me !
Why should your uncle give me a job ?
He knows nothing about me.", Jonathan said, obviously becoming angry.
"Actually, Jonathan, he knows a lot about you.
Why do you think you met us here in the graveyard - at your father's grave ?".
Jim was doing his best, thinking on his feet, to deal with things the way he imagined Faunus would.
"And how would I know that you were a star wrestler, and football player at Hutchinson High.
And why would I come all the way from 'Vegas with my uncle - just to meet you, and offer you a job ?".Jim asked.
"Well....", Jonathan began to reply, and then obviously had nothing to say.
"Look, the best way to sort this out is for you to meet my uncle, but first, and if you agree, we can go to the farm and meet with your mother, so that she knows what's going on.
And if she's in agreement, then we can ask my uncle to come to the farm, and he can make the offer to you - and you can discuss it with your mother.
And you don't have to give an answer immediately.", Jim suggested.
Jonathan thought for a moment.
"Well yes...but can I trust you ?
It all sounds very strange to me."
"It's all 'on the level', Jonathan." Ethan said - , "and I think you should really give it a chance."
"OK...well we'll go to the farm, and see what my mother says...", Jonathan said reluctantly.
"Good decision.", Ethan said with a broad smile, as they got into the convertible.
Jonathan sat 'up font' with Jim, and Ethan sat in the back.
As soon as Jim guided the big convertible out onto the highway, he turned on the CD player quite loud - intending that Jonathan wouldn't over-hear Ethan in the back - and of course the fact that the roof was down helped to mask any talk.
"OK, Ethan - 'phone the 'Boss' and Josh.", Jim said quietly.
Ethan then made a quick call to the 'Boss', and another the Josh.
So they slowly made their way over to where the guy was standing, while still checking graves on their way.
 |
| Jonathan Kent - Head-Stone |
So they approached - very quietly - and then got a real shock.
The young man standing looking at the head-stone turned round, obviously aware of the presence of Jim and Ethan.
"Hi !", he said quietly.
There was a brief pause.
"Did you know him...?", the young man asked - presumably referring to the grave.
It was an embarrassing question.
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| Mausoleum of the Dominus - Cumaea |
It was an inexpensive head-stone - simple brown granite with poor lettering and a rather pointless little decoration at the top.
Nothing to compare with the huge, white marble mausoleum erected for the Dominus at Cumaea in Italy, Jim thought - and it was a long time since had last thought of that that vast monument.
"Perhaps, if you had met him, you would have liked him....he was a good man.", the boy said thoughtfully.
"Your'e related ?", Ethan asked, wondering if they could have really been that lucky.
"Yes.... actually I'm his son." the boy replied.
"Oh I see - I'm sorry.", Ethan replied, being unusually grown up and considerate in his reply.
"And you'r name is ?", Jim asked, just to get things straight.
"I'm Jonathan Kent junior, but most people just call me John.", the boy replied, holding out his hand in a friendly gesture.
"I see....my name's Jim, Jim Johnson, but my friends call me 'Jaguar Jim', and this is Ethan Duncan."
They all shook hands.
"Why Jaguar ?", Jonathan asked, obviously puzzled.
"Oh, it's just a nickname my uncle gave me - he's into Mayan things.", Jim explained, but Jonathan obviously didn't really know what Jim was talking about.
And your father - what does he think about you being called 'Jaguar' ?", Jonathan asked, apparently probing.
"My father's dead - when I was a teenager.", Jim replied.
"I see - a bit like me.....sorry....", Jonathan said.
"Yes....but I was lucky - my uncle adopted me.", Jim explained - as usual bending the truth slightly - but then what else could he say ?
"So you guys are not from around here ?", Jonathan said questioningly.
"No....from 'Vegas.
I'm here with my uncle on a business trip.", Jim explained.
"And Ethan ?", Jonathan asked, sounding a little suspicious.
"Oh, he's part of my uncle's security team."
"I see....so that explains the gun then...."
There was an awkward pause.
"But isn't he a bit young to be carrying a gun ?", Jonathan asked.
"Oh no - he's over 18, but he just looks younger....it's a family trait."
"So you're related ?", Jonathan persisted.
"Yes.... we're cousins."
"Are all you people from Kansas so suspicious ?", Ethan then asked bluntly.
"Well no, Ethan, but to find two very well dressed young guys, with a very expensive convertible, carrying guns, and wandering around a cemetery in a town like Hutchinson is a bit strange.", Jonathan explained.
"Suppose so.", Ethan replied, shrugging off the comment.
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| The Kent Farm - Kansas |
"Well there's only me and Ma, and we have a hired hand, but things are difficult.
It's not a good time in Kansas for a small farm right now.", Jonathan said.
As they talked, Jim had subtly started to walk slowly towards the convertible.
"And after High School.....what are your plans ?", Jim asked, trying to sound casual.
"Well 'Ma' wants me to go to college, but really I'm needed on the farm, and there's not enough money to hire any other 'hands' - so I'll just have to stay on the farm, like my father.", Jonathan explained, sounding rather depressed.
At that point Jim was wishing that Faunus was with them.... he would know how to handle this situation.
"So what if you left college, and could get a job where you were so well paid that you could hire as many farm-hands as your mother would need, plus new, up to date machinery for the farm, and pay off any debts.
What would you say to that ?", Jim asked.
"Well I'd be a fool not to take it...but that's just a fantasy...
Who's going to offer me a job like that ?", Jonathan replied, sounding a little exasperated.
"My uncle.", Jim said, trying to sound casual, as they reached Jim's convertible.
"Come on, Jim - it's cruel to play games with me !
Why should your uncle give me a job ?
He knows nothing about me.", Jonathan said, obviously becoming angry.
"Actually, Jonathan, he knows a lot about you.
Why do you think you met us here in the graveyard - at your father's grave ?".
Jim was doing his best, thinking on his feet, to deal with things the way he imagined Faunus would.
"And how would I know that you were a star wrestler, and football player at Hutchinson High.
And why would I come all the way from 'Vegas with my uncle - just to meet you, and offer you a job ?".Jim asked.
"Well....", Jonathan began to reply, and then obviously had nothing to say.
"Look, the best way to sort this out is for you to meet my uncle, but first, and if you agree, we can go to the farm and meet with your mother, so that she knows what's going on.
And if she's in agreement, then we can ask my uncle to come to the farm, and he can make the offer to you - and you can discuss it with your mother.
And you don't have to give an answer immediately.", Jim suggested.
Jonathan thought for a moment.
"Well yes...but can I trust you ?
It all sounds very strange to me."
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| Road to the Kent Farm |
"OK...well we'll go to the farm, and see what my mother says...", Jonathan said reluctantly.
"Good decision.", Ethan said with a broad smile, as they got into the convertible.
Jonathan sat 'up font' with Jim, and Ethan sat in the back.
As soon as Jim guided the big convertible out onto the highway, he turned on the CD player quite loud - intending that Jonathan wouldn't over-hear Ethan in the back - and of course the fact that the roof was down helped to mask any talk.
"OK, Ethan - 'phone the 'Boss' and Josh.", Jim said quietly.
Ethan then made a quick call to the 'Boss', and another the Josh.
(link to be activated soon)
Please note that this chapter is intended for adult viewers (over 18 years), and may contain images and text featuring nudity and strong language. Please do not view this chapter if you find such features objectionable....
The 'Boss' and Faunus 'finalize' matters with Jonathan and Mrs. Kent - and then, while the new member of the group prepares for what will be the final part of the journey, and also meets Teddy and Glaux, the 'gang' enjoys a short break in Wichita, before they move on to Tennessee
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All text - © Copyright Peter Crawford 2021
All Images - © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2021
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