Chapter 15: The Holy Confirmation
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THE 3-DAYS OF MIDTERM-EXAMS were over – it was the 2-weeks term break holidays for SHS. On the first-day, Paul laidback on his bed in his-windowless bedroom… recalling some silly mistakes he made on his last-day’s exam Biology-paper…
… but overall, he was satisfied-and-confident that he would ‘not’ fail in the-examinations – ‘kudos’ to Alicia-and-Jane from his-former A-Class… where they had ‘invited’ him to join their study-group @the-library, despite he was outcasted. He was grateful especially to Alicia, who taught-him the steps-TO-DO some Math-equations – that came in the test, which he-answered in-no-doubt …
… he tried TO FORGET Principal Harris’s expectations of-him, during the last Sunday’s dinner invite – where he told him in-front-of his-mom to buck-up and ‘ace’ in the B-Class to be-the Top-3… but it was ‘not’ that-easy, where-there were several ‘bright’ students in that class that he was-in…
‘… maybe I’ll be Top 10… judging by last minute prep-and-cramp I ‘DID’…’
Paul wanted to put his exams behind him for-now to – ‘focus’ on-the-NEXT PROBLEM that was bugging him…
… it ‘wasn’t’ of Jane was preggo – but of tomorrow-evening’s St Michael’s Holy Confirmation ceremony event – where he was TO-BE among 23-candidates who ‘sat’ on-pews IN FRONT-of the altar during the-bishop conducting the High-Mass…
… Paul was weight-conscious… as he would-be the-odd one – the-over-100 kilos-obese candidate, on his-wheelchair…who everyone present would-be looking-at like a ‘freak-blob’ in-a-circus… in-comparison to his-athletic devil-twin…
He sighed got-up and levitated to his-wheelchair – as he wanted to go-and-exercise outdoor in the backyard… and, punch-the-heavybag…
… just-like his last-minute ‘cramping-prep’ for his exams, Paul wanted to lose a-kilo of weight that-Saturday… in his ‘prep’ in for Sunday – so that, his ‘new’ pants for the-occasion would ‘fit’ his size 40-waist…
-O-
His online-purchase of Made-in-China boxing gear had arrived last-week, on Monday. He was in 2-minds of where TO HANG the heavybag – having 2-options TO-BE in secret from the public’s eyes – that he’s a-supe who-levitated:
* INDOORS in the closed-door garage-storage area… where he would train when he’s home-alone in the closed-stuffy enclosure
* OUTDOORS in the backyard, with fresh-air and-be with his dog – there were high-walls from prying-neighbours
He-too was glad for choosing the backyard – where the-garage had flooded last-Friday. When Deliveroo sent him the package that-Monday… and he decided to hang the heavybag on a high-beam column at the ceiling in-the backyard… he levitated-up and tied-and-secured the rope-harness on the horizontal wooden-frame…
The-vertical bag was at his waist-level and he was levitating with his cripple-legs dangling when he ‘threw’ his first-punch, as he repeating the names of Aussie-boxers who-were ‘relevant’ – the likes-of Jeff-Horn and George Kambosos-Jr…
… he had watched them ‘both’ in several-YouTube boxing-channels – where Horns ‘beat-the-champ’ Manny-Pacquaio… and-recently, Kambosos-Jr ‘beat-the-champ’ Teofimo-Lopez…
The equally-excited Kitty was barking-and-stood in-its hind-legs – Paul ‘visualised’ that that his-dog was the audience cheering on-their-feet…
“… yes-Kitty – Rocky-Paul is-smashing the-incubus’ face for bothering-Jane…!!”
After-more than 50-hard punches, the out-of-shape teen gassed-out and panted… while his dog was still barking at the swaying heavybag, so Paul released its chained-collar – Kitty immediately went straight-at AND BIT-ON the base-of the-swinging bag… and hung-on it…
“HOI-Down! NO, Bad-dog – don’t damage my-stuff here!”
… being an-ex security-dog – it ‘knew’ its former-training. So, Paul ‘resisted’ it-and leashed back his-dog TO PROTECT his-weight-loss investment…
“Behave! You’re a ‘lady’ now – NO ‘MORE’ fighting-and-biting from now-on, yea… or-else, Mom will ‘GIVE’ YOU-AWAY…!?”
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THAT SATURDAY MORNING, blind-Jane woke-up and panicked when she thought-she was late for-school… when the-tween realised-that exams were-over. She chuckled at her-fright she ‘felt’ for the-false assumption…
… lying on her-Queen-sized bed, Jane released a-sense of relief-breath and was glad that exams were-over – despite being ‘hit’ by problems of her ‘own,’ in the bad-luck POST-TREETON realm… where her only-escapism from her-anguish was to study-and-revise with her AI, Boyyo…
… it ‘worked’ too – she was 95% sure, she had-answered the exam papers’ questions ‘right’.
Jane was excited-too for Alicia-and-Maggi’s birthday, which was-Today… and the twins ‘had’ invited her for the dinner-occasion. Jane thought of the Chinese-food that would be-served later in the-evening…
… she loved Chinese food – her-BFF, Alicia of the-OTHER-PERTH had taken-her aunt’s restaurant… where they ‘served’ the best dim-sums in Chinatown… but her favourite of the menu was the mouth-watering Taiwanese Stinky-tofu…
… she ‘missed’ that food-heaven restaurant… but she was grateful that her-BFF of POST-TREETON was daily bring her a-couple-of succulent meat-buns for her-breakfast when they Uber-ed to-school – a ‘kick’ from-her womb was-then felt…
“… oh… you’re awake…”
…. Acknowledging-it… that it was hungry…
But blind-Jane was in-no-hurry to leave her-bed… as she thought of her-boyfriend – of ‘what’ Paul would-be doing on his ‘first’ day of their term-break… recalling that-the last-term break had a SHS Family-Day to-it, where they visited the beach…
… when they kissed…
The jealous-womb ‘kicked’ her-hard for ‘her’ undivided-attention – for time for a-mother-child bonding…
“Owww-Apollonia! Don’t fishing-hurt me… I’m going ‘now, you greedy-pig!”
In her pyjama, she left her-bedroom to go-downstairs without her walking-cane – where, she’s ‘familiar’ with the-downstairs layout.
-O-
Downstairs, at the-dining table, Anthony was having his-coffee and reading the morning-newspapers…
… Anthony slipped-and-fell in the bathroom on Friday-evening and sprained his-ankle – so, he was working from-home that-Saturday… with a bandaged-leg…
After the father-and-daughter had-greeted themselves – the tween had her glass-of-milk and cornflakes. Both of them were quiet, and Jane was finding the ‘right’ moment to-ask her father’s permission to go to the birthday of her besties…
‘… what if he said-No…!?’
… she felt A ‘KICK’ in her-tummy…
‘Patience-Apollonia! I’ll ask…’
… the-blind girl ‘heard’ ruffling-of-papers, and her father sipping his coffee-mug…
“… err-Daddy… Alicia-and-Maggi’s birthday is ‘today’ – can I ‘please’ go…?”
Jane ‘heard’ no-response – she countered his-decision-making, by saying…
“… no-worries Daddy – there would-be ‘NO’ BOYS in-the-party… Paul is ‘not’ invited… if ‘that’ what-you’re worried…”
Finally, the-father spoke…
“… my leg is busted… ‘how’ would-you go… I can’t drive-you…?”
“… no-worries… Alicia’s Uber Uncle-Chin will ‘pick’ me up… please-Daddy ‘can’ I go, please…”
… Anthony knew the Wong-sisters were ‘close’ to his-daughter as their-close circle-of-mates – and if he SAID ‘NO’ – Jane would ‘hate’ him then-on, like her-mother, Shelley…
“… okay-darl… you ‘can’ go…”
“Thank-you, Daddy – I love you soo-much…!!” The blind-tween exclaimed-in-joy…
“… I love you-too, darl…”
Anthony went-on to read his-paper while Jane finished-up her milk-and-cornflakes… she ‘left’ the table – but the womb wasn’t ‘SATISFIED’ WITH its brekkie… and it ‘fussed’ with kicks…
… it wanted ITS-FAVE Char-Siew meat-buns ‘which’ Alicia bought-daily in-their ‘brekkie-on-Uber’ to school…
‘… stop-kicking Apollonia… it’s school-holidays – Alicia IS ‘NOT’ coming… no-meat buns for YOU-TODAY, you-get me…!?’
Blind-Jane felt ‘more’ fussing-kicks from the tantrum-womb, when she walked away from the dining-table… turning-around at the foot-of-the stairs, and she asked…
“… Daddy, what’s for-lunch…?”
“… ooo-I thought, how ‘about’ takeaway of some gourmet-pizza from Marciano’s… what pizza-flavour do-you want…?”
… the womb made a ‘mental’ menu-request… of anything ‘meat’…
“… is lamb, okay – I’ve ‘not’ had-that in a while…?”
“… okay, lamb-pizza it-is…”
“… thanks Dad… I’m going upstairs to call-Ali…”
She walked-up the stairs, thinking…
‘… you greedy-pig, Apollonia – you’re going to make ‘me’ fat-soon…’
The womb made her ‘think’ of her-obese boyfriend…
‘What…? Fat-Tarzan and fat-Jane – ‘NOT’ FUNNY-Apollonia…’
… her stomach ‘vibrated’ as – as her womb was having its belly-laughter… when Jane was upstairs, she too chuckled…
‘… you ‘SILLY’ GIRL…’
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THAT EARLY-SATURDAY MORNING, on his-first day of school-break Peter went jogging, for his Comeback. He was ‘prepping’ for his next-week, when he faced with KC’s hook-up of – 3 ‘adult’ opponents in the-court, who wanted ‘to-play’ with Australia’s ‘first’ cyborg-robotic armed, untested-teen tennis-player…
… this was his moment of reckoning that came-in a perfect-timing of ‘AFTER’ HIS-midterm exams – which he ‘did’ without-studying – by using the spy-tech of China-Edith knock-off – where his ‘ONLY’ GRIPES were:
* The poor-Bluetooth reception in the exam-hall – resulting drop-of-sound or dead-silence for almost a-minute occationally– ‘before’ he could hear any-instructions, or question-answers FROM THEM… at the other-end through his-hidden spectacle’s earphone
* The annoying gibberish-accent of the-Whisperers in THE-DARK-WEB… of a Chinese-couple – where the ‘anonymous’ Mr-Yang was talking low-voiced to him in-English, after his counterpart… the ‘anonymous’ Miss-Yin on a PC, was feeding-him ‘instructions’ in Mandarin, in a high-pitched voice – with her-voice ‘overlapping’ her-counterpart’s voice
… but he wasn’t complaining either – cos’ he didn’t have to ‘study-hard’ to score, but only ‘study-smart’… furthermore, it’s FREE – a ‘service’ paid-for by his-bestie, Ken-Chan…
He was 85% sure that he ‘nailed-and-crushed’ his midterm papers…
… throughout the 3 days of-exams, his-body was like a-robot… pencil-scratched the objective-answers fed-online – where-else his mind was elsewhere – as Peter fantasised of preparing for-his 2nd-Coming OF HIS-Ambition to-be a world-class Tennis-player by the age of 15…
… where he was 13-now – with 2-more years to ‘prep’ TO-BE #1… or ‘MAYBE’ SOONER…
‘… maybe my-Destiny of my-Rockstar superstardom is in this ‘Good-Luck’ POST-TREETON-realm – I must go-for it…!’
… but…
… he ‘felt’ he needed another-device to-go FULL-ON CYBORG…
… when KC took-him TO RED-PRISM last-Monday, after the ‘disastrous-and-unfair’ meeting @the-office-Of Coach Jonah… in the strip-club, Peter was drunk by drinking 2-strong beers, and he was ‘ranting’ of his-theories of ‘advantages’ HE WANTED to complement his cyborg-arm, Smasher…
“… come-on-KC, it ‘MUST’ EXIST-in-China cos’ they are watching ‘our’ same-movies as-us – they would’ve made a-google darkglasses that ‘calculates’ distance, with an AI ‘doing’ the calculations-and-interacting back-to-me… like-this ‘prototype’ Kimura-Star-tech has that – the-ones Janey-and-blind Maggi ARE-USING ‘now’….!”
… he didn’t mention to KC-that blind-Jane had ‘used’ such a device in the-OTHER-PERTH, and gained ‘fame’ within a-viral video – of a blind-girl ‘playing’ Tennis, assisted by using her AI-device… but the drunk-Peter mentioned…
“… yea, I’ve borrowed Janey’s darkglasses numerous-times in the-past… and, her AI-Boyyo gave ‘precise’ bearing-of the return-ball – and all-I’ve to do is ‘no-brainer’ follow-instructions, and ‘come-up’ with creative-ways to ‘place’ the-ball and win-points, you get-me, KC…?
“… now, in my-class – blind-Maggi ‘has’ that ‘same’ tech I badly-wanted… it’s ‘not’ fair that-bloody Dr Turner ‘gave’ me an-inferior SIM-tech, that I shamefully named Pete2.0 after me… which make me do the hard-work like homework-and-studying. Where-else, Jane’s Boyyo gave-her the-answers to-her-face – that’s ‘not’ fair, right…?
“… why should Dr Turner give-Maggi the prototype? He should-bloody ‘given’ it to-me and I would it ‘add’ it-into my-cyborg-arsenal, and be a ‘more’ formidable-Aussie player in-the-court – instead he ‘gave’ to blind-school bloody Maggi-Wong!
“… I ‘wish’ I can STEAL-IT from-her…!”
… Peter then-realised that he ‘had’ bad-mouthed KC’s girlfriend’s TWIN-SISTER and he ‘apologised’ – but KC took no umbrage – ‘luckly-too,’ that Peter did ‘not’ blabber in his-state of drunkardness – about his-dark ‘secret’ from-the-law which he ‘escaped’ @the-OTHER-PERTH…of what HE DID TO the ‘other’ variant of KC’s girlfriend… whom, he left her in-coma in-the-ditch after he ‘had’ surprise-bludgeon-attacked Alicia with his-Babolat… causing head-trauma…
KC finally-spoke…
“…but they both are ‘blind-girls,’ and their-AIs were ‘calculating’ their-steps to-AVOID-OBSTACLES that-might endanger-them… and ‘also’ as a-GPS, if they ‘both’ get lost – Peter, I don’t ‘think-so’ that the googles would ‘CALCULATE-AND-GAME’ your-playing…”
Peter was seething when he couldn’t ‘proof’ to KC of Boyyo’s ‘abilities’ – because Jane, ‘the-blind-girl-playing-Tennis’ doesn’t ‘exist’ In-POST-TREETON – but Peter wanted to have the ‘last-say’ in the-argument…
“… but that bloody-thing ‘could’ calculate, bro – I’ve ‘used’ Boyyo-before! It is a-way ‘SUPERIOR’ AI than my ‘stupid-mediocre’ Pete2.0, that the bloody Dr Turner had ‘short-changed’ me – KC, be a-buddy, mate – find me THIS-TECH…
“… like I’ve ‘said’ that they’ve ‘watched-our-movies’ in China – it’s about-time ‘some’ CHINKO-TECHKO in the billion-of-population would 'spawned' already in the-market TO COPY-CAT Western-tech…”
KC ‘agreed’ to the-drunk Peter’s request – TO ‘LOOKOUT’ FOR a tech-darkglasses that was AI-oriented, that calculated-and-communicated with the end-user…
Soon-after business-talks were ‘over’ – it was time for lapdance of the Russian-babes… compliment on-KC’s tab, who also told he’s paying for Peter’s backroom ‘private-dancer’ session. Peter was finding for his-former blonde-dancer, Yelena… who gave an-excellent BJ-service on his-first-visit – but some girl said she-left, after her tourist-visa expired…
‘F***-Yelena! She cracked-my iPhone screen the-last time – hope, she’s ‘deported’ to Siberia – now, who’s the ‘replacement’ lips…’
The 13-year-old was walking-around with a beer-bottle… finding the ‘next’ blonde-hottie who-resembled his-soulmate, Janey – and that evening, his-Good-Luck of POST-TREETON shone ‘over-him’ at that moment in the-strip-club…
… spotting-a-blonde with a pixie-cut – she was the same-built too… the only-difference, she had ‘small-lips’…’
‘… perfect… you gonna-choke…’
At backroom, the short-haired blonde who spoke no-English gave him an-erotic lapdance… and proceeded with her BJ-service while Peter ‘watched’ HER… AS he was ranting inebriation…
“… look-me in my-eyes, when you do-me-dry, b****… do you ‘know’ who-I-AM…!!? I’m THE ‘FUTURE,’ hahaha – I’m the country’s first cyborg Tennis-player, who’s going to-rule THE-SPORT soon…!
“… yess, do-me-dry, b****… hahaha, do YOU ‘KNOW’ my-load ‘contains’ the-residue of my-precious ‘Cure-it-All’ Golden-Blood…? I’m paying-FORWARD, WENCH – my ‘gift’ to-youu…!”
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The next-day, after school ON-TUESDAY… on the-eve of their midterm exams-Wednesday – KS-and-Peter visited the clay courts… where Peter did the-YouTube Challenge-videos, before the-BMW crash…
… Peter had ‘not’ visited the-area for 3-years ever-since he lost his-Tennis-playing leftie. As he stepped-off the superbike, he noticed the improvements the local-Town council had beautified the-surrounding of 2 clay-courts. There was a new-management that placed a signboard – ANSON PUBLIC COURT, as it-was ‘was’ now-called…
… but the illegal-gambling ‘went-on’ AS USUAL – and thrived with THE RETURN of Chucky-Miggs – ‘after’ his recent-prison sentence-release…
KC and Peter sat on the-bleachers and watched the ‘best-Of-best’ Perth’s amateur clay-court players, whom the tennis-aficionado-bookie Chucky-Miggs ‘PICKED’ – TO organize his-niche gambling-syndicate-ring for his-crowd of gambling-fans. ON THE 2-courts were a couple of 20-something years-to 30-something years-old seasoned-amateur players were ‘duke-ing’ in the-Singles…
… Peter ‘recognised ‘ONE’ OF THEM… now-spotting a moustache… the 20-something was older ‘heading’ into his-prime – but 3 years-ago, Chucky-Miggs ‘told’ the 10-year-old, Peter TO LOSE the-match to the-then 19-year-old, SO-THAT he’ll win ‘more’ money-in the-pot…
‘… ‘not’ ANY-MORE, Mama-Mia-Mustachio I’m gonna ‘crush-you’ in ‘setting’ my-own Cyborg-amateur record-clean…! You’ll ‘lose’ your-moustache ‘after’ I knock-it off your ugly-mug!!”
They waited a long-time before they ‘met’ the busy ‘bookie’ with his 2-assistants who took illegal-bets in their mobile-phones. Prior, in that 2-hours, Peter-and-KC were among the 80-over spectators…
…but it was ‘homework’ for the-boys… as they got the PRO-AND-CONS of the amateur players who-were playing – the ‘potential’ YouTube competitors for Peter TO ‘CRUSH’ before he ‘called-out’ the-Brit, Mark-Spencer to face-HIM ‘NEXT’…
… where Peter-too WANTED TO ‘shame’ SHS-coaching team, particularly Coach-Jonah… WHOSE-SELECTION of ‘mediocre’ Dougie-Sim, who ‘crashed-out’ in the last 2 School-tournaments – where…
… Mark-Spencer WON FOR the last-2-years… and going for the-hattrick, THIS-YEAR…
‘… if that-Pommy don’t accept my-Challenge – then, he’s a BLOODY ‘COWARD’ – even if-he ‘win’ the hattrick, it’ll be ‘nothing’ significant… and I’ll make-sure it’s-nothing-too – and, I’ll taunt-him online and ‘shame’ his-victory… because he hasn’t beaten the ‘best’– which IS-ME – and, my fans will ‘know’ it as, the-Champ when I was 10, who ‘beat’ the ‘useless’ Wimbledon-trained 13-year-old loser’s ass-back-then…!
‘Hey! I’m 13-now… and YOU’RE 17 – are you ‘scared’ of me, you bleeding vinegar-poopin’ Fish-N-Chippies…!!?’
-O-
Peter was ‘relieved’ that old-man variant – of-Chucky-Miggs of POST-TREETON-realm … ‘too’ recognized-him ‘AFTER’ 3-years…
… why shouldn’t-he? – Peter was his ‘STAR’ ATTRACTION, after he was ‘Champ’ at-10 – ‘fresh’ after-defeating the-lame Brit, Mark-Spenser in the school-tourney… then, at the clay-courts, challenging older-adult players…
… for ‘fame’ and ‘side-pocket-money’…
Peter told the-bookie that he wanted MAKE HIS-Comeback, as he-have a robotic-arm. Miggs nodded, and said…
“Great! I ‘put’ you in-a-slot… and you ‘can’ play…”
… but-that WAS ‘NOT’ the-deal Peter-favoured…
So, he introduced his-biz manager, KC to do-his-bidding…
“Mr Miggs, could you set-up A MINI-TOURNAMENT of an-exhibition-matches for 3-of-your Best-players to-play Peter-here, for HIS-COMEBACK… we’re ‘going-to-shoot’ promo-videos of Australia’s first robotic-armed Tennis-player… how-about-it, Mr Miggs… could you-run that ‘attraction’? And, we give you an-exclusive shoutout to promote Anson Public-Court, how about-it, sir…?”
“Sorry Mr Chan, I ‘run’ a serious business-here – and, I don’t do ‘exhibitions’ – I ‘only-talk-money… so, what’s YOUR-BET you ‘wage’ on your-mate, the Son-Of-Perth’s inspector to-win…?” The bookie and-his assistants chuckled… intimidating the-boys…
KC thought-a brief moment, and-replied…
“…we’re both ‘minors’ here, sir… and we can’t get-into illegal-gambling, or there, would-be ‘backlashes’ with the-law later when the VIDEOS-GO-VIRAL. How about I ‘wage’ 1000 lottery-ticket, instead of-cash as bet…?”
“1000 ‘useless’ dud-tickets!? – I bet you ‘can’ do-better THAN-THAT, Mr Chan, yea…!?”
“… like I ‘said’ Mr Miggs – we ‘are’ minors…”
“… very-well, ‘stop’ wasting my-time-then… g’ day, boys…
The old-bookie turned-around to-leave, but Peter held-his shoulder with his-metal-palm, pleading…
“… please, Mr Miggs – set-me up THIS-COMEBACK, and I’ll totally be-indebt to-you, as a fellow ‘lover’ of the sports…”
The aficionado paused-and-sighed – he-then looked at-KC…
“How about you PAY-ME $500, and I’ll get you your-tournament, Mr Chan…?”
Peter saw KC taking-out his fat-wallet – and, paid the bookie the-bribe… while Peter thought-the amount ‘paid’…
… was ‘not’ A-LOSS, but an ‘initial’ investment… to MANY-MORE doors-opening when his-Comeback videos-went-viral…
They shook on-the-deal – with KC-telling…
“We’ll come back in a week, ‘after’ our-exams are-over…”
-O-
The exams-over were over – and Peter’s moment of ‘truth’ was coming 6-days from now, when they return to the Anson clay-courts with the video-crew, for him to start a ‘new’ phase – as the ‘untested’ Rockstar-robotic armed-player to faceoff with Chucky-Miggs Best-3 B-Listers…
… at the strip-club, KC-too reminded that the ‘new’ phase would-be a different ballgame – and. he should ACCEPT-IT… since the-Rules had changed ‘now’ as he was segregated from the abled-bodied player Tennis-sport – that ‘banished’ him from-participating cos’ his-enhancement-limb gave-an ‘unfair’ disadvantage to-those he competed-with…
… which-meant, his ‘past’ dream-and-goals aspirations ‘needed’ a ‘new’ script-strategy… by throwing-and-unlearning his ‘old’ lackadaisical strategy of his ‘breakthrough’ would be-the-path beginning of ‘being’ the best-in-school circuit… where, he was ‘recently’ banished…
… KC also reminded he should have a-proactive Bad-Boy ‘arrogant’ actor-persona image TO BE a ‘popular’ Rockstar-Internet-Influencer… where…
… he ‘had’ to-be the actor-villain who-CALL-OUT the ‘next’ fighter like WWE’s Heels – and furthermore, Peter would-have instant ‘FAME’ TO STARDOM too cos’ he was, Australia’s first-ever Tennis’s ROBOTIC-ARMED PLAYER…
… KC also reminded that he should ‘NOT’ LOSE IN his Cyborg-Rockstar amateur-record, as it would ‘reflect-BAD,’ later when he CALLED OUT THE A-Listers Pros of the world to compete-with him… 2-years down the-road WHEN – HE HAD massive global-fanbase rooting for-him, to ‘troll’ out those TOP-LEVEL ABLE-BODIED player…
‘… I won’t-lose, KC – I won’t let you-down, my-true mate, I cannot! You’ve believed in me … and, invested a-lot-of-$ in-me… so can have a 2nd-Chance in THE ‘UNFAIR’ World-sport-Rulings where I CAN’T ‘use’ my-Smasher to compete-in ‘both’ Summer-Olympics and Paralympics – ‘cos’ I’m a ‘cyborg’ – just-like the banished-Mutants discriminated by-human in those X-Men movies…
‘… KC, you-and-I – WOULD-BE at the ‘top’ of-the-world, when my-explosive Rockstar 2nd-Comeback career, that you had-invested ‘blew’ the bank-VAULTS OPEN… and you’ll make more ‘money’ than your-Crypto biz…’
Those were ‘positive’ his-thoughts as he prepped his-fitness level by-jogging – but-Peter have ‘not’ told everything about Chuck-Miggs to KC…
* … that his estranged-son, Charlie-the-Horse – a member of an animal-activist group, was ‘killed’ 2-months-ago in a failed-attempt to ‘Free-the-Monkeys’ that ‘gone’ wrong in South-Perth Zoo, when an-alpha silverback old-gorilla ‘sprung-on’ him in the Hateful-8’s mission-attempt…
… where the ‘minors’ Peter-and-Bella too were ‘part’ of that-activist group…
… but the group-leader, Kirk Kiperman did a GOOD-JOB in getting-rid of the evidence of Chucky Miggs’s dead son – where the REST OF THE-group had ‘laid-low’ ever-since, from ‘any’ police-investigations, that would-POINT THE-FINGER-to the-Hateful-8…
* Furthermore, Miggs was a notorious gangster and if he FOUND-OUT WHAT the Hateful-8 were ‘hiding’ from-him of his estranged-son’s death, it would be-a…
WITCH-HUNT for those animal-activist ‘involved’…
… and-even Daniel-Bennett was terrified of him… and ‘wanted’ to abscond to New Zealand…
Peter stopped running, and sighed at the-danger of ‘GETTING’ KILLED while in-the-midst of launching-his Comeback …
‘… that old-gangster should ‘never’ FIND-OUT… or, I’ll too-be going to prison for murder-conspiracy – it’ll be strictly Tennis-biz from now-on with Chucky…
… and, nothing-else…’
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FOR A WEEK, THE METH-HEAD Jimbo was in-quest search for Peter – as he went out of the city to the-suburbs. Now, he’s ‘gone’ further…
… ‘following’ the-Red-butterflies…
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
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That-fine weathered-Sunday evening, St Michael’s was celebrating the Holy Confirmation-ritual for 23 candidates where – the-Arch Bishop-Of-Perth would-be conducting the sacrament of welcoming the full-fledged youth into-the Catholic-faith…
-O-
The white-Audi drove on the-uncrowded highway. Caroline was driving – on her passenger-seat was Peter… and the backseat was Paul – and the Gemini-twin were dressed smart-in their black-and-whites…
The mother drove an hour-early to-church, as she ‘wanted’ her twin-sons to go for their Holy-Confession…
… she was ‘troubled’ to the ‘point’ that she DOESN’T-KNOW ‘who’ her-sons were… and, sometimes she blamed-herself as a single-mother for their wayward-behaviours… ‘blaming’ on the long-hours of her-job…
… she was sad to the repercussions-results – that her SONS WEREN’T practicing true Christianity-teaching in-their lives – to be-decent young-men…
…with Paul ‘involved’ in the shameful Tarzan-Deep Fake-video – and his ‘elder’ brother, the egoistic Peter – ‘disrespecting’ her… ever-since his 13th-birthday when his girlfriend’s uncle ‘TRANSFERRED THE Walker-House deed to his-name…
As a staunch-Catholic she ‘mentally-prayed’ her SONS WOULD ‘confess’ their-Sins to Father Aloysius-Brown…
… the-same priest who wed her-to-Solomon years ago – and in-years later, she had CONFESSED TO HIM that her husband was ‘practicing’ Hinduism, and refused to come-to-church…
Now, his insubordinate-sons were WALKING-HIS-PATH with their own set-of-Sins under-their moral-belts…
… Caroline too was-wondering if her-sons would tell THE ‘TRUTH’ later in the confession-booth – or, would THEY-LIE…?
In her line of police-work @the-Interrogation room – CRIMINAL ‘LIE’ through their-teeth, from ‘being’ incriminated ‘by’ THE TRUTH-of their-crimes ‘committed’.
-O-
The Audi arrived in the all-most empty carpark in the church-compound. Caroline got-off first… and went to the rear-booth of the car…to get Paul’s wheelchair. Peter-too got-off ‘next’…
… when Paul tried-to get-into his-chair on-his-own, with Caroline’s assist – Peter ‘decided’ TO-DO his ‘good’ deed-of-the-day… by ‘LIFTING’ HIS-TWIN… some-impromptu-strength weight-training for his-coming ‘matches’ weekend @the-Anson clay-court…
Without alerting, Peter’s palms hooked onto both of Paul’s armpits… and lifted-him to the-chair… Paul was double-surprised that his-devil twin ‘wouldn’t help-him in-the-past… impressed too that the robotic-arm the devil-wore… had made a 60kg Peter to lift a deadweight of 100kgs…
Peter ‘dropped’ his-twin like a sack-of-potatoes on-his-wheelchair seat. Paul thanked-him… but the-devil twin didn’t-respond… but was boxing his-own back, and faking an imaginary backache…
He saw Peter walking to the-church, as he-too was coming with his wheelchair, traversing the gravel turfed carpark. He was aware of his inspector-mother was talking to her-boyfriend, Tom in her iPhone behind-him…
Paul gazed-over and saw the reporter-Lana-Lane under the 12’ marble-statue of St Michael, in the church entrance. He was annoyed to see her sarcasm by waving at him, despite in the ‘presence’ of his inspector-mom…
… as a-minor, Paul could POINT-AT-LANA to his inspector-mom and ‘complain’ that she had ‘harassed him on-2-occation… but he DID ‘NOT’ – as the-variant of the reporter in-POST-TREETON ‘wanted’ to-prove that he’s A SUPERHERO…
… so, he had TO ‘DEAL’ with the curious-reporter by-himself… with no-more ‘slip-ups to his ‘secret-identity…
Paul ignore-her… and made his hard-way in-the-gravel. He-then saw a Datsun pulling-up with a large Filipino-family arriving… he saw 6-siblings from the sardine-tight backseat alighting…. with the eldest daughter dressed-in-white, as-a candidate for the evening ceremony…
… he ‘realised’ they were from the-St Fatimah parish – where St Michael church held Holy-Confirmation once-every 2-years with the-Bishop… and St Fatimah-and-other churches ‘send’ their-candidates over…
Paul wheelchaired into the church through the-main door… where there were only about 20-parissioners, who were the ‘early-birds,’ getting the best seats-in-the pews to the-Bishop, who-was conduct the ceremony-later…
… he was annoyed that his-mom had ‘taken’ them very-early to-church…when the confession-booths, had-yet no-priests to ‘hear’ the confessions-of penitents…
… he ‘knew’ after-the Tarzan-Deep-Fake video had surfaced a fortnight-ago – his inspector-mom was motivated to suspect that he-too ‘had sex-with-Jane…
… during the-Family Day excursion to the-beach… but Paul was ‘not’ bothered – as ‘nothing’ of-sorts happened…
Paul saw Peter at a-pew, sitting with 2-younger-boys and showing-off his robotic-arm… as he was denied ‘bragging-rights,’ when St Michael-Church was ‘closed’ for 2-months during the lockdown-Of-the Zombie-epidemic – that had ‘recently’ died-down since the military-curbed the-scare…
The church caretakers were decorating the altar with bright-coloured flowers for the-later bishop’s ceremony. Paul was waiting for the priests to come to conduct-confessions… where that St Michael’s could accommodate 2 priests, to ease the parishioners ‘waiting’ in-the-Q…
Paul noticed-that Caroline hadn’t entered the-church… still-outside ‘talking’ with Tom. While waiting, he ‘people-watched’ as he turned his-head around as the pews filled-up… and, was surprised to catch his sight of Jane’s housekeeper, Lola’s presence in the-corner where the statue-Of-Madonna was… she was speaking with a young-priest from her-St Fatima-parish…
… months-ago, during mass, Father Aloysius had ‘mentioned that St Fatima would-have a replacement priest as the former-90-year-old, Father Miguelo Del-Santos would be retiring and would-be replaced by… the blonde-mixed-blood parentage of Filipino-Welsh – priest, Father Ferdinand Reynolds…
It was the first-time he saw the youthful 20-something ‘tall’ priest… who was talking to Lola, with loud-whispers that-echoed… if Paul was ‘not’ mistaken, he HEARD THEM saying-his devil-twin’s name Peter-Walker… but he didn’t know what they were ‘talking-about’…
Then, Father Aloysius came … and met-up with the ‘visiting’ priest. and they-both processed to confession-booths. Paul saw Peter coming…
-O-
…but the-devil beat him to-be the ‘first’ to go into the confession-booth with Father Aloysius … ‘denying’ Paul, who wanted a ‘familiar-faced’ priest to-profess his-Sins – he had to settle-for Father Ferdinand-instead, as he entered the adjacent-penitent-section…
… which-was ‘not’ handicap-friendly… with a-built-in kneeling-stool hindering, but Paul managed to squeeze his-wheelchair into-the small-confinement-space…
Paul saw Father Ferdinand-Reynolds up-close, through the-little matted-screen window… and, wished he could have A-CONVERSATION with the young-priest instead of-confession à he would have-said…
‘… Father-Ferdinand, I was on the-mission TO-SAVE Garden-Of-Eden from destruction of the Evil-sides’ attacks – St Michael was there in ‘our’ team-of-allies… but we ‘lost’… when…
‘… ‘our’ angels led by-Gabriel teamed-up with Asmodeus’ demons… and obliterated the-paradise with that-giant angel, Metatron dropping THE ‘BOMB,’ killing the plants-and-animal… and dinosaurs too…
‘… I guess we DO ‘NOT’ need to-update in-the Good Book of dinosaurs’ existence… and, ‘leave-it’ as it-was-as ‘not’ previously-mentions… but they’re ‘now’ dead for-good, with Eden’s annihilation by heaven’s dirty politics… I guess, it best left dead, just-like the Jurassic-sequels…
‘… it doesn’t matter any-more – the End-Times are ‘coming’ soon in the-PERTHLAND realm… my mission there is to, infiltrate a heavy-fortress Blake-Tower… and destroy the portal ‘gateway’ to prevent Satan’s legions of 4-million hell-demons, from entering our-dimension…
‘I wish-that the ‘statue’ of St Michael outside-would walk-into the church, to bear-witness to ‘what’ I’m telling… yes, St Michael-and-I ARE PART of the 12-Intergalactical Council members ‘too’ – and, there is going to be an All-Women-religion soon, and St Michael is ‘part’ of-that-movement…
‘… and, I ‘trust’ my Guardian-angel, St Michael – so, Father-Ferdinand… is my ‘decision’ TO-SIDE with St Michael a ‘Sin’…?’
Paul didn’t say those ‘things’ and be-thrown-out for blasphemy…
‘… just SHUT-UP, Poe – and, don’t be ‘clever’ and rock-the-boat… just ‘follow’ the 2000-year-old-tradition, and be ‘done’ with-it…’
… so, the 13-year-old teen confessed that he was disobedient to his-mother on-several occasions… and several-other Venial-sins that WERE MINOR…
… ‘not’ wanting to mention that – his-girlfriend was ‘preggo’ via-Immaculate Conception of The Venusian-Trinity religion… who was soon TO-BE the-Mother of the Daughter-Saviour-Of-Perthland…
Paul-then left the-confession booth…
… meanwhile…
Peter had ‘lured’ Father Aloysius-Brown – ‘not’ to-confess his-Sins, but to ask a ‘favour’ – where, in the OTHER-PERTH the priest had made an-announcement in-Mass to ‘promote’ Perth’s Famous-Couple’s mixed-double match…
… so, he ‘wanted’ a-similar announcement made-by Bishop Beltran – to the-congregation of his 2nd-Coming Comeback in POST-TREETON as Australia’s first-and-only cyborg-Tennis player… while, everyone ‘should’ Like-&-Subscribe to his YouTube Channel as ‘his’ fans…
Father Aloysius was ‘patient’ with the-boy’s requests, as he didn’t want to say yes-or-no on the day Peter TO-BE receiving his Holy-Confirmation… so he listened to Peter ‘bragging’ for a-minute, and the-next minute ‘showing-off’ his black robotic-arm… before interrupting him…
“Peter, there are ‘others’ in-line-for their-confessions – SO, WHAT’S yours…?”
“… huh… ‘nothing’ much, Father… I’M ‘GOOD’ as Santa’s ‘fave-boy’ in-jolly December – nothing sinfully ‘biggie’ in-my-life that could implicate me to-prison…
“…. as my mom is a strict at-home, me-being-raised as the son-of a police-inspector and-all … ‘nor’ did I commit any of the Sins-Of-the 10 Commandments, to put-me ‘down’ into Hell-or-Purgatory…
“… so, just do-me that favour, Father… and, give me a SHOUT-OUT later, yea…?”
The priest ‘saw’ the Son-Of-Solomon in-the other-end … whose late father-himself was the apostate leaving-the-church to-be a Hindu – and his-son was no-better…
… the priest-then ‘slapped’ him with a heavy penance of-saying ‘10-Our-Father-&-20-Hail-Marys’ as his-contrition, before dismissing him-out…
-O-
Paul first to leave the confessional area… noticed the crowding-parishioners filling-up the pews, as he followed them in the-aisle. He looked forward-and-gasped… spotting the camera-and-video crew in-progress – his-instant reaction to ‘them’ – to ‘tug’ his fat-tummy-in, to look-slim…
… he proceeded to the altar… where the front – 23-candidates’ 22 chairs-were – as, Paul was on-wheelchair. The chairs’ occupants were ¾ filled – where the-11 of The Holy-Confirmation candidates from SHS…
… 8-Of-them were the backbenchers, Terry-and-the devil were from A-Class – with Raymond, ‘Churros’ and Paul-himself in the B-Class…
The backbenchers-being-backbencher… sat at the back-row, when Paul passed them in the aisle – and, one of them ‘teased’ him, by whispering a puerile-joke…
“… no trees for Tarzan to swing-by here…”
Paul ignored their soft snickling-and-giggling and passed them, thinking…
‘… yep, no trees in the Garden-Of-Eden either…’
At the front-row, Paul parked himself beside an-empty chair. He along with the congregation waited for the ‘arrival’ of the-bishop. So, he ‘people-watched’ with his ‘own’ idle-thoughts…
‘… wow! This-year… BIG-HARVEST haul for our-Catholic-Church of-Australia of ‘gaining’ full-breeds and half-breeds of Irish-Boys – who were ‘born’ in-abundant some 13-years-ago in this-Perth-realm… I’m half-Irish, of-mom, by the-way … dad’s ancestors were from some far-out place like Buxton, England… I think…’
Then, the camera-man and videographer came to the-candidates section of girls-and-boys… but the crew stayed-long when they came-to-PAUL – WHO, was Perth’s Tarzan-celebrity…
… the obese-teen looked down-and-away from their lenses…with catching-his-breath too-as he tummy-tugged himself. When they left, another puerile-joke WAS HEARD…
“… they’re shooting the ‘next’ Tarzan movie…!”
Paul remained head-down in-embarrassment – ‘hearing’ soft chuckles of girls-and-boys behind-him…
-O-
Meanwhile, outside at the crowding carpark of St Michael – Peter walked over the gravelled tarmac to confront Caroline who was waiting-out…
“Mom! … where’s Principal Harris… he’s my-Sponsor…? Poe’s Uber guy is here as his-sponsor… where is ‘mine’…?”
“I don’t know… I’m getting his ‘voice-mail’…” The unsettled mother responded…
“Hah! He bailed on me… probably in his Sunday’s Happy-hours swinging time, getting drunk at his-Country-club… I should NEVER ‘TRUST’ a-Presbyterian in a Catholic affair of mine, in the-first-place… Mom, see ‘now,’ what’d-happened…!?”
The fuming Peter walked back to the church – with ‘MORE’ HATRED thoughts of Principal-Harris… that also sparked from the ‘recent’ Coach-Jonah’s meeting – where, he was ‘BANNED’ TO BE-in the SHS’s Singles-Selections…
‘… bloody-Tom-Harris ‘knew’ that I would ‘NOT’ MAKE the Selections… and, did ‘not’ tell-me ‘about’ it either – so… he-and-bloody Jonah are ‘behind’ this…
‘… then, ‘WHY’ DID you buy-me a Rafa-Tennis racquet for my-birthday…!? So-that you can ‘please’ me… while you ‘sleep’ with my-mom behind – ‘during’ her ever-long work-shift-hours…?
‘I curse’ you-2 breakup!!!’
-O-
Paul ‘saw’ the-devil ‘coming’ with his-swaggered walk in the-aisle… in front of the seated-parishioners… sauntered like he was in a catwalk to soundtrack of ‘The-Eye-Of-the-Tiger,’ as he brushed his-long hair in-place with his-metal finger of his-robotic-arm, when he walked forward…
… it irked Paul – as his-twin ‘COULD’ WALK, while he WAS-IN a-wheelchair…
‘… it ‘only’ you hadn’t kicked-and-distracted dad – that BMW-accident wouldn’t ‘had’ happened, and I ‘CAN’ WALK too – and, dad-too would be ‘here’ in-church, to see the Holy-Confirmation of his Gemini-twin sons…
‘… I bet you-devil had ‘not’ confessed to that-either to Father-Aloysius… as you’re in denial’ – and blaming the-truck-driver for the-accident FOR YOUR wrongdoing…’
Peter approached the sitting-area… there were 4-EMPTY chairs that-Paul counted ‘for’ the-devil to sit… and, he was surprised that he’d ‘chosen’ to sit in the-empty chair beside his-wheelchair. Peter then-stretched-out his-elbows to make his-personal ‘space’ – Paul backed when the-devil’s metal-arm touched-him…
Paul was annoyed-too that the-devil took-out his iPhone, and was texting during the ‘wait’ of the-Bishop’s arrival. Peter was in-touch with KC, who could ‘not’ make IT-FOR-the occasion – but Peter had good-news for-him – that the-bishop was-later ‘going’ to make an-announcement for his Cyborg-Comeback to ‘more’ than 500-people in the St Michaels-church…
It further irritated Paul – when the-devil held his-robotic arm-up… and was waving to someone – Paul peeked-at the congregation… and noticed that Bella and Mr Wilford were seated that evening…
… ‘his’ girlfriend and ‘his’ investor of the House-Of-Walker deed…
‘… bloody-devil – you’ve all the-good-Luck in-POST-TREETON…’
<>
Finally, Bishop Arthur Beltran arrived, AND OFFICIATED the Holy-Confirmation ceremony, by saying the-high Mass @St Michael church...
… Father-Aloysius Brown and Father-Ferdinand Reynold assisted the-Bishop…
The man-of-the cloth was a ‘HUGE’ MAN… both height-and-width – probably close to 150-kilos or-more. Paul ‘felt’ relieved that someone in the house-of-God was ‘bigger’ than him… and he wouldn’t have to ‘tug’ his tummy-in anymore…
Unbeknownst to-him – Jane, Alicia, and Maggi too-were sitting in the-middle pews… they wanted to ‘surprise’ him, and also came-to morally-support ‘their’ friend who-was recently transferred to B-Class…
Then, it came to the hymns, and the congregation sang – Jane-and-Alicia were impressed that Maggi sang-too without the hymn-book… as she was the ‘Catholic,’ among the-trio of the Buddhist and the-atheist…
… it was the first-time experience for blind-Jane stepping into a church… she was spellbound by THE SOUNDS of the-organ, accompanied by the choir and the congregation singing in-harmony…
… and, through-her 3rd-Eye, she ‘saw’ the blue ‘beacon’ afar @the altar – and, she fantasised that she wore a white-gown someday, and walk to-the-Light… while the church-organ played ‘The Wedding-March’…
-O-
As the church-Mass progressed, the crowd swelled and the late-commers were outside… following the holy-ritual, on the huge LCD screen at the carpark. Amongst-them… was Albert Wang…
… the estranged-father of Alicia…
He came to St Michael church ‘not’ for the-Mass…
… he recently HAD HEARD that Robin, his estranged-wife had taken custody-of of Maggi to-come-to Perth…
… Albert-Wang was ‘displeased’ with Robin’s decision TO-DO-SO – that brought ‘more’ shame TO HIS Wang-family clan…
… where, he believed his-wife HAD AN extramarital affair 13-years-ago in Singapore that ‘bore’ him shameful offspring twins…
… now, there ‘were’ 2-with… the OTHER-HALF – migrated from-Malaysia…
-O-
The actual Holy-Confirmation ceremony THEN ‘BEGAN,’ when the bishop stepped down from the altar and approached the candidate-area. The girl-and-boys stood-up with their ‘sponsors’ behind-them…
… Peter was relieved that the ‘late-comer,’ Principal Harris came, and stood behind-him … beside Gary-Morrison, who was-Paul’s sponsor…
The bishop then anointed the Oil-Of-Chrism to the forehead of the candidates, saying…
“… be seated with the Gift-Of the Holy-Spirit...”
“Amen…” Each candidate replied and sat-down…
Paul noticed that Lola-too was a-sponsor to a Filipino-girl…
… then, the turn of the Gemini-Twins ‘came’ – when the-bishop ‘anointed’ them…
… with their Christian middle-names – Solomon-and-Anthony respectively…
-O-
The ceremony proceeded with the Holy Communion –with Bishop Beltran served the wafer, while 2 priests – Father-Brown-&-Father-Reynolds – were following-up by feeding wine-from the chalice to the-candidates, to ‘sip’ in-the sacrament… while Father-Reynold wiped-with a white linen-cloth after each communicant partakers drank…
… for-2-seconds after Peter ‘received’ the wafer-in-his mouth – his eyes rolled-up to white … and his tongue was flickering…
… ONLY 3 people-saw Peter’s ‘brief’ shape-shiftier demonic-face – Paul and the-2 priests were terrified ‘Scary-Mary’… before the frightening-visage turned-BACK TO-PETER’s – as his-robotic-arm-then forced Father-Brown’s holding the copper-cup, as HE DRANK the-entire remaining wine… leaving ‘none’ for his-twin Paul…
When Paul’s turn ‘came’ as the last-candidate… he ‘pretended’ to drink-from the-empty cup for the video-and-camera lenses…
… the 3 men-of-the cloth then proceeded to give Holy-Communion to the rest-of-parishioners… the nervous-Paul backed his-wheelchair-away from Peter, ‘after’ what he saw…
… he silently prayed to his-Guardian-angel, St Michael – that his devil-twin ‘would-not’ morph into the long-tailed incubus and ‘ATTACK’ HIM… where he ‘would’ have-to use his secret-and-hidden super-powers, in-self-defence in front everyone…
… thank-God – ‘nothing’ he had-anticipated happened…
… and his secret-identity was-still ‘safe-and-hidden’…
-O-
The bishop-and-his 2 priests had-given the Holy-Communion to the-congregation and stepped-up back-to the altar-sanctuary…
Peter ‘knew’ the-Mass was ‘ALMOST’ OVER – where, he anticipated the-bishop to ‘make’ some closing speech-declarations… along with, his broadcast-announcement of his restored-and-revamp YouTube-Channel, which HE ‘ASKED’ Father-Aloysius’ favour just-now during his-Confessions…
… in fact, Father-Aloysius DIDN’T PROMISE him such-announcement – all he saw was a 13-year-old disillusioned teen who had wasted-his-time in-the-confessional – ‘bragging’ about his ~ prosthetic-arm, which would get him TO-BE the ‘next’ superstar Aussie… who ‘soon’ would be a world-class sensation…
Everyone in St Michael was distracted from the bishop’s speech… as there were loud clamouring-and-confrontation at the main-door – of a man yelling before he sucker-punched one of-the church-wardens. He then ran-into the church but the rest-of-wardens didn’t pursue him… as they were ‘volunteers’ for the bishop’s occasion…
The congregation were shocked to witness a barefooted Caucasian-man, in dirty-and-torn clothes with his skin covered with black soot-and-grimes – running to the-altar…
… both of the Gemini-twins’ jaw dropped… as they recognized-him – as the meth-head, Jimbo variant-Of-POST-TREETON….
The deranged-man with rotten-teeth ‘stood’ in-front-of Peter… exclaiming…
“I found you! You – the ‘owner’ of the DeLorean… you’re in grave-danger! Don’t fly on-aeroplane like Ritchie-Valens – it’ll crash KABOOM La-Bamba… and, you’ll die!!!”
Peter was speechless-and-shocked by Jimbo – putting-him IN-THE ‘hot-spot,’ in front of the 500 congregations… his ‘initial’ reaction-was to punch the man’s rotten-teeth-in with his robotic-arm – but he-froze instead…
Then, the bishop intervened from the-pulpit… shouting into-the-mic…
“… who IS THIS ‘filthy-looking’ intruder…!? WARDENS! Throw him-out – he’s disrupting the-Holy ceremony!!”
“Hey-you, Fatty-fat Bishop Beltran – WHO YOU calling-names!!? I ‘got’ a-message for you too from the Prophet TB… you-know, your ‘twin’ brother, TIMOTHY-BELTRAN – whom you mercilessly ‘betrayed’ in seminary-school…!?
“… yea, I’m the-Prophet’s ‘only’ disciples – and, the-Prophet ‘told’ ME TO-TELL-YOU – ‘Go F***-yourself… cos’ your-Bishop-ship leadership ‘suucks’ in epic-level disgrace…!!!
“… the bloody End-Times are Coming-soon – but you ‘blindly’ lead the-sheeples TO-BE ignorant! You ‘ONLY’ SEE the White-butterflies ‘not’ the-Red…!!!”
Several men got up to help the volunteer-wardens… Paul saw even-Gary left his wife-and-twin sons to assist them… to throw-out the intruder who’d ‘used’ foul-language in-the-church…
… even Insp Caroline-Walker wanted TO-BE ‘involved,’ but her boyfriend, Tom pulled-her… to-resist her-leaving – that THE MEN would ‘usher’ the Mad-man into the-streets… while, for-Carol to-be a mother FOR THAT-evening – witnessing the-holy-confirmations ‘moment’ of her 2-sons…
Outside the church, 7-men subdued the yelling-and-retaliating man… and threw him out of the main-gate… Lana Lane, the-reporter took photographs. When a-distant police-siren WAS HEARD – Jimbo, the drug addict fled for his-life.
-O-
Inside the St Michael church, the mortified-and-degraded bishop truncated his final-speech after the incident, and, ended the-ceremony…
“The Mass has-ended – now, go in peace…” And, everyone did the sign-Of-the-Crosses, and dispersed from their-pews…
Peter was crushed that his ‘comeback’ announcement was ‘not’ made – and, he-then vitally BLAMED-IT-on Jimbo, who created a ruckus a moments-ago…
‘… you bloody-hell-Jimbo! I’ll ‘find’ you and kill you for ‘shitting-on’ my masterplan… who ‘invited’ your filthy-ass over here just-now, you shitty-meth-head – do you thinking you can ‘SCARE-ME’ in-front of everyone with ‘your’ death-threats…!? And, what the-bloody f*** is a La-Bamba…!!?’
In the crowd-of-people leaving, he heard Bella calling him – and he walked-over to his girlfriend-and-her uncle waiting for-him. His bottled-up angry-emo had switched-from Jimbo-to-Tom-Harris…
… as he regrated ‘picking’ his-principal for his Holy-Confirmation’s ‘sponsor’ – where, he should-had ‘picked’ Mr Jared-Wilford instead… as the ‘useless’ Principal-Harris would ‘not’ longer-be of further ‘use’ in his Tennis-career – now-after the ‘scheming-parties’ of the SHS’ Sports dept had ‘BANNED’ HIM from school-Selection…
‘… I’ll win ‘this’ match-up in the Anson clay-court this weekend – and, my robotic-arm vs Chucky’s mediocre-3 video-clips would-THEN GO ‘viral, and gain-me the ‘credibility’ – and, I’ll then rope-in Unca-Jared TO BE one of my-future sponsors, if I were to ‘play’ outside Australia…’
Paul saw the-devil disappearing into the crowd. He was still daze OF WHAT’ the Jimbo variant HAD SAID – which he thought were clues-and-signs in this-Perth-realm to his ‘next’ video-game mission…
… he remained on his wheelchair to ‘let’ the foot-traffic in the aisle-to-the main-door ease – as he had a-lot to unpack ‘after meeting all-3 different VARIANTS OF JIMBO:
* OTHER-PERTH – that Jimbo was ‘responsible’ for putting Alicia in-coma. Before Paul could get the-criminal to ‘admit’ his-crime on the rooftop of the mental-asylum which he was ‘admitted’ in… Jane ‘intervened’ as StarGirl, thinking Paul was trying to ‘kill’ Jimbo in-an-act of ‘revenge’ – it was where Jimbo later ‘fell-to-his-death,’ in his failed ‘escape’ bid from the-asylum
* PERTHLAND – that Jimbo was a teacher in SHS – where he taught geography and exposed Paul to a different world-map where Australia was called ‘Perthland’ in that-realm
Paul then questioned-himself…
‘… did ‘this’ Jimbo ‘KNOW’ THE-devil…!? He said ‘DeLorean’ – that’s the car that Peter drove in Perthland… how did this guy ‘know’…? And, the Red-and-White butterflies in the End-Times… THAT ‘WHAT’ John-See had-mentioned to me in the-Pentateuch… how did he ‘KNOW’ THAT-too…??
‘… and the bishop having a-twin brother ‘called’ Prophet-TM – WHAT’S HIS ‘story’…?’
He was baffled for a-moment – then decided-AS-A SUPERHERO and go-out-to ‘extract’ the-culprit that-night… and question-him – but HE SOON ‘dismissed’ the-fruitless idea…
‘… he deranged-and-disturbed like the mental-institutionalized Jimbo-variant of the-OTHER-PERTH – over-there, that guy was talking c*** that Elon-Musk is a shapeshifting ‘Illuminati’ who ‘stole’ his rocket blueprint…’
He was abashed too that his-twin had hellacious morphed in a-brief-moment into his-possessed-demon manifestation in church – where ‘only’ the 2 PRIESTS-AND HIM ‘saw’… and-even, the-mortified Father-Aloysius ‘looked’ as Paul to-figure…
… whether he too was a-devil ‘himself’ like Peter…
Paul was clueless on HOW-TO deal with his-twin … without ‘killing’ him – that ‘what’ was the-Rules was for HIS-ROLE as a superhero in the-Game... as per-se, the Time-Traveller, John-See…
He sighed and noticed the majority of the-parishioners had left-to go outside the church… he decided to go-too. As he wheelchaired, he spotted some congregation of St Fatimah church lighting candles at the statue-Of-Madonna… Lola was there-too with THE-GIRL candidate that-she was a-sponsor-to – Paul sighed again…
… thinking of Jane who was ‘preggo’…
Paul was thinking of his ‘problems’ as he followed behind some-people who were-exiting the church – he-then looked-up and detected at the main-door was his-inspector-mom talking to Gary, his-wife and-their twin sons…
… Francis-and-George, who were both 2-YEARS-old…
… a dreadful flashback of a-St Michael church of-PERTHLAND incident stuck-him – where the TWINS WERE 10-in-that realm, in the parking-lot ‘behind’ their-father – with Gary ‘shouting’ at Paul for ‘recruiting’ his sons to be an animal-activists, and rescue stray-animals in-the street. But, his ‘step-dad,’ Joe-Dickson intervened-and-apologized on Paul’s behalf…
His reveries ‘poofed’ when he heard – Gary Morrison’s voice calling him…
“… Paul…”
… Paul was in 2-worlds – cyphering whether it ‘was’ the confrontational Angry-father Gary-Of-PERTHLAND or, ‘was’ it his Uber-driver friend of-this-realm who-was ‘calling’ HIM-OVER…
… cos’ in the less than a-week of his ‘existence’ in-PERTHLAND realm, where Gary was ‘NOT’ HIS Uber-driver there – and, Paul too was-also an ‘able-bodied’ 16-years-old teenager… and the stepfather, Joe had bought the-twins their own-car …
… TO-GO TO school – where the elder-twin drove the-DeLorean…
He saw smiling faces at the door when he wheelchaired-over – they all congratulated-him for receiving his Holy-Confirmation… Gary-then ‘presented’ Paul with a set-of-prayer Holy-Rosary made of beads-of white-tiny seashells… which-came in a small-pouch casing…
… Paul thanked him – then showed the lovely-gift to his-mom, who admired-it…
After a minute, the adults were back talking about raising-twin boys and health precautions like colic – as the young-couple were listening to Caroline relating when Peter-and-Paul were 2… while Paul sat-quiet listening as he looked-up from his-wheelchair from below-their-eye-level…
… his muddled-mind was tired ‘after’ the church-ceremony… and felt-like yawning – he HAD GONE through anxiety of self-aware ‘before’ coming-to-church – of-being-seen as an obese candidate…
… then came the-devil twin’s Scary-Mary moment during the-Holy-Communion… followed-by the disturbed-Jimbo ‘party-crashing’ into the-Holy Confirmation – and shouting mad to everyone about the End-Times… like a character carrying a-placard right-out from an apocalyptic-movie….
… he still had to-be ‘awake’ for another 2-hours ‘for’ that-evening – as Tom-and-Carol wanted to throw a-dinner for-the-boys at some-fine restaurant – to celebrate the twins’ Holy-Confirmation…
Paul ‘excused’ himself… and backed-his wheelchair as he wanted to get some fresh-air @the-carpark – and the-boy ‘regretted’ leaving his-mother’s side as he was now in the view of prying-eyes that saw him as the-infamous Tarzan from the deep-fake sex-video… that the ‘whole’ of Perth had both heard-or-seen by-now…
He heard a girl’s voice calling-him – to turn his-head to see it ‘was’ Alicia… he was glad and wished her. As she came-to-him…
“… hey-Ali… Happy Belated-Birthday to-you…”
He looked-over to see Jane-and-Maggi too were-coming – as the 2-blind girls were holding-hands as they approached him. The girls ‘congratulated’ Paul on-the-occasion… and, Alicia did the-talk – where they planned to ‘surprise’ him by-coming to-church…
“… Lola told Janey about your-confirmation – yesterday, after the-birthday dinner, Janey ‘told’ us ABOUT-IT… and, we-3 decided to ‘surprise’ you…”
… Paul ‘eased’ up-of being ‘self-conscious’ with the passing-people staring at his ‘public’ Tarzan- image WITH-JANE… as he was ‘safe’ with-her a group-of-friends… just like in the-SHS’ library…
Paul too was ‘surprised’ when Alicia said that her sister, Maggi WAS ‘CATHOLIC’ – and he asked ‘why’ wasn’t Maggi in the Confirmation-group just-now. Maggi responded that she had already had her ‘ceremony’ in Malaysia last-year, where her-Aunty Susan last attended… and a few months later, the aunt passed-away from cancer…
… Alicia briefed the-backstory to Paul – that Aunty-Susan was MAGGI’S GUARDIAN – who took-care of her in-Malaysia for 12 years…
They all heard a woman’s voice ‘calling’ Alicia… Paul cranked his-neck to spot a Chinese lady calling…
“It’s Auntie Siobhan…. Bye-Paul, Happy-term break – come, Maggi…” Both the Wong-twins left, holding hands…
Siobhan-Wong was Catholic, through her-marriage with a-Caucasian husband… and was with their older 3 children at the-car park…
… he thought Jane would ‘follow’ THE WONG-SISTERS – but his girlfriend stayed back ‘WITH’ HIM…
… Paul’s heart-pounded – with his insecurities coming-back… as he was self-aware of his-surroundings of peering ‘eyes’ of their Tarzan-and-Jane ‘PUBLIC’ PRESENCE…
… knowing too that his blind-girlfriend could ‘NOT’ SEE the ‘gravity’ around of-the people gawking-and-peering AT THEM – who would ‘judge’ them by relating the ‘Kissing-video’ to the ‘Sex-deep-fake’ video…
Paul asked her…
“Jane, does your dad ‘know’ you are ‘here’...”
Jane sheepishly-smiled, shaking her head…
“… no… I bluffed him that there was a 2nd-party at THEIR HOME, and daddy said ‘I can go’… and ‘we’ came here TO CHURCH…”
Paul bit his-teeth, thinking… that her ploy-was risky – and ‘cautioned-her’…
“Lana Lane is ‘here’ – she may ‘spot’ us…”
“… Pauly, who’s Lana-Lane…?” His blind-girlfriend asked…
“… it’s that-busybody reporter, remember…!?” Paul clarified…
Now, Jane-too was self-conscious – Paul-then REMINDED-HIS blind-girlfriend…
“… Jane-listen, we can meet in the school-library… or, facetime at home, but we should ‘NEVER’ MEET in public… agreed …?”
She nodded…
“Ok… bye-Paul – I’ll call you tomorrow…”
Paul-then heard Jane instructing…
“Boyyo, find Maggi’s SIMY…”
“Yes, Jane… bye-Paul-Walker – ‘we’ call tomorrow…” The AI-responded…
He saw her going with the aid-of her-AI. Paul decided TO-GO TO the-Audi… and wait for his-mom there – who would get ‘chatty’ with Christina, Gary’s-wife…
…the obese-teen traversed his-wheelchair in the gravelled-ground passing-by several group of parishioner in-small groups socializing ‘after’ church-service – ‘more’ peering-eyes and ‘whispers’ set-on-him…
‘… it’s ‘only’ inside-the-church, WE ‘ARE’ a-congregation, and we-then sing hymn-songs of-forgiveness – but once-out of the door, you-people WHO-ARE ‘victims’ of Fake-News – and, you-then judge-me BY A-Deep-Fake sex-video…’
Paul looked-over his shoulder and saw the-reporter Lane with a long-lensed camera, smiling-and-waving at him…
… his initial-reaction thought was the photographs taken to sensationalize ‘further’ of the infamous Tarzan-&-Jane of Perth…
‘… G**dammit – we’re minors ere’…!!’
His-mind was disorientated as he wheelchaired-forward without looking left-right… cars slowed down to let the handicapped-teen cross. Halfway-there, Paul then heard a man’s voice, calling his-name…
“Paul!”
He spotted Mr Jared Wilford, standing beside the tall-statue of St Michael. He came-over and congratulated Paul on-his Confirmation ceremony – and presented him with a-rare gold-Krugerrand coin, and the overjoyed Paul thanked him-trice… before the South-African businessman left-him…
… Paul respected Mr Wilford’s generosity of optioning the House-Of-Walker to ease his-mom’s debt problems… which his-late-dad ‘left’ behind…
… furthermore, HE ‘GOT’ a-2nd Krugerrand coin from him-too…