Month: October 2021

New start but old ways – Part 7 finale

Ian Hunter5 Comments

Rick sat in a secure meeting room with his glum faced lawyer

The evidence against you is pretty damning said the lawyer

Rick protested his innocence and insisted on pleading not guilty

Somebody had set it up to make him the prime suspect he claimed

The lawyer summarized the evidence the police had gathered

There was no sign of forced entry and Rick had a key to the farmhouse

the time of death was around four am Saturday morning

Rick could not provide an alibi as he had spent the entire weekend alone 

The killer had unsuccessfully attempted to break open Mr Jones’ safe

When the police had the safe opened they found a large sum of cash

This is all circumstantial said Rick, the attempted theft motive is just not credible

Well thats not the motive they will put forward said the lawyer

Rick looked puzzled as the lawyer explained more

Mr Jones had only one living relative, a nephew who lives far way

He was due to inherit the farm but six months ago Mr Jones changed his will

He made you the sole beneficiary so the police will claim that as a motive

The prosecutors will say you made it look like a robbery to cover up your real motive

Rick knew he had to figure out who was behind all this

He needed help from somebody who he could trust 

He arranged for Daniel to come and visit him

A few weeks later Rick was released from custody

The police had received an anonymous letter identifying the real killer

Mr. Jones’ lawyer had conspired with the nephew to make sure Rick did not get the farm

They hired a contract killer and planned to split the proceeds of the farm after contesting the will

Nice work Daniel said Rick as they celebrated his freedom with a beer on the porch

Best not tell your mom you sent that letter to the police

It was pretty smart of you Rick to suggest I hack into the nephews’ text messages

Well I knew it had to be somebody connected to the will said Rick

Evelyn sold her house and moved into the farm with Rick

She gave up all her cleaning jobs and helped look after her baby grandson

Daniel married a local girl and was making a fortune in cyber security

Rick offered work to newly released prisoners needing a new start to change their old ways

New start but old ways- part 6

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Rick was face to face with Bobby in a situation that could explode

He took a deep breath and stepped back away from Bobby

In a calm collected manner he told Bobby this was not a time for fighting

Lets just keep this business like and not get all emotional

I spent twenty five years in prison and I got to know a lot of people like you

They steal from customers, from their employers and underpay on taxes

They think they are so smart and will never get caught but they always do eventually

I have seen Mr Jones’ book keeping ledger and it contains all the evidence

Mr Jones is unaware of you stealing from him and we could avoid him the stress of a trial

You can start by writing a check for the real value of his produce from today

In addition you will pay him a weekly twenty percent bonus in cash for the next five years

Either you agree or you will go to prison and end up as somebodies bitch 

Bobby agreed on the understanding that Rick would tell nobody about this deal

He wrote the check and promised to come back tomorrow with the cash

He invented a story for Mr Jones about new rates and a cash loyalty bonus

Mr Jones could now afford to buy new machinery and his business flourished

Mr Jones appreciated Rick’s hard work and gave him a pay rise

Evelyn would not accept rent so Rick bought materials to fix up the house

He still slept in the barn but he soon converted it into a second home

Evelyn now had a fully refurbished house and Daniel wore new clothes to school 

Evelyn no longer had to work three jobs and could spend more time at home

She fell in love with Rick and continued to chase the fox most nights

Daniel was doing well at school and they had enough money for college

Rick proposed to Evelyn on a moonlight night in the barn, they were married in the spring

A few years later Evelyn had to visit a distant sick aunt and Daniel was away at college

Rick spent that weekend alone at the house doing home improvements

When he got to work on Monday morning the farm was sealed off

A policeman stopped him from entering and Rick told him he worked there

A detective came over and told him Mr Jones had been murdered

He could sense that the detective was highly suspicious

Rick had seen nobody all weekend and had no alibi

A week later Rick was arrested and charged with first degree murder

New start but old ways -Part 5

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Rick stared down the barrel of the gun for what seemed like an eternity

Before asking Evelyn why she wanted to shoot him

She apologized and said she thought a fox was after the chickens

When she saw the barn door opening she instinctively pointed the gun there

Rick knew she was lying because he had not heard anything disturbing the chickens

He suggested she come in the barn so they could stake out the fox from the side window

She agreed and came inside standing close to him at the window

Rick told her she looked beautiful in the moonlight 

They kissed and fell to the floor in a passionate embrace

Go slowly she gasped its been a long time since either of us did this

She left the barn before dawn and slipped back to her room

I hope she worries about that fox again Rick said to himself

Rick met with Mr Jones at the farm the next day

He wanted to know if Rick could fix farm machinery

Sure I can said Rick and he started work straight away

Within a week he had everything running smoothly

The farm had not been maintained well and Mr Jones was in his late seventies

Rick noticed a man called Bobby came by every week to pay Mr Jones

Mr Jones explained that he had no time to work on selling the farm production 

Bobby was an agent for a big company who bought from all the local farms

Mr Jones said he could not afford to buy any more spare parts for the machinery

Rick became suspicious that something was not right

He asked Mr jones if he take a look at the books 

Mr Jones agreed and fortunately for Rick it was all hand written ledgers

Rick had studied book keeping and some contract law in prison

He noticed that the payments from Bobby represented a lot less than their true value 

He said nothing to Mr Jones and waited for an opportunity to confront Bobby

A few weeks later Mr Jones had gone into town when Bobby showed up

After the truck was loaded with produce Bobby started to write a check

Not so fast said Rick you are underpaying Mr Jones and have been for years

Bobby laughed in his face and said thats the kind of loose talk that gets folk killed around here

Besides its your word against mine and nobody believes an ex-con

New start but old ways -Part 4

Ian Hunter1 Comment

Rick woke up early but did not get up straight away

Hard to break the habit of waiting for a cell door to be unlocked

After a hearty breakfast Evelyn asked Rick if he could tidy up the yard

Daniel usually hated going to school but today he was in good spirits

When he got to school he spotted the bully in the playground

He was terrorizing a younger boy and taking his lunch money

Daniel approached and yelled hey you leave him alone

The bully turned round laughing and lunged towards Daniel

Daniel grabbed him by the arm and side stepped

perfectly executing the judo maneuver that Rick had taught him

The bully landed face down in the dirt with his arm twisted up his back 

He started to cry in pain but Daniel held him down

By now a crowd was gathering and a teacher came marching in

He witnessed the bully tearfully apologizing and returning the stolen lunch money

Nice work Daniel said the teacher as the crowd dispersed

Daniel was now the King of the playground

When school finished he ran all the way home

Rick was working in the yard and asked how it went

There will be no more bullying at my school said Daniel with a big grin

Rick hugged him and whispered best not tell your mom about all this fighting stuff

Evelyn was very impressed with the work Rick had done

He had even fixed the broken mower and cut all the grass

She told Rick that Mr Jones was looking for help on his farm

When you go there tomorrow tell him I sent you

Rick thanked her and promised to pay her rent for his stay

that won’t be necessary said Evelyn you will be able to find your own place soon

Daniel begged his mom to let Rick stay with them

I am sure he wants to do better for himself than sleeping in a barn said Evelyn  

Lets have an early night we all had a busy day

She gave Daniel one of those lingering Mom knows everything looks

Rick was a very light sleeper and a noise outside the barn woke him 

He opened the door to find Evelyn in her nightgown holding the shotgun

New start but old ways- Part 3

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Rick stood up as the door opened

A fine looking woman stepped inside and Daniel ran to greet her

Hey Mom this is Rick he is just out of prison and came here looking for work

Rick held out his hand pleased to meet you mam you have a fine boy here

He is indeed she replied thrusting out her hand my name is Evelyn

Rick noticed her firm handshake and well worn fingers

These are the hands of a hard working woman he thought

Daniel please make some coffee for us I have to go to work shortly

Evelyn sat at the table opposite Rick and looked at him intensely

What kind of work are you looking for Rick

I will do anything that does not involve computers said Rick with an embarrassed shrug

Evelyn understood and said she would ask Mr Jones next time she cleaned his farmhouse

You are welcome to stay for dinner Rick but its only soup

That would be great said Rick who had not eaten all day

Daniel will get it ready while I am working

I will be back in a couple of hours

After she left Rick turned to Daniel and asked 

Why didn’t you tell her I broke in to steal from you

Because I think you deserve a second chance

And I want you to teach me how to be a man

I will do what I can to help you said Rick

What do you want to learn first

Daniel explained that he was being bullied at school

OK said Rick lets step in the yard and I will teach you some self defense moves

Evelyn came home and they all ate dinner together

Daniel went to his room and Evelyn told Rick he could stay over

You can sleep out back in the barn for a few days

While you look for a job and get back on your feet again

Thats much appreciated and I will pay you rent as soon as I earn some cash said Rick 

Evelyn smiled and said Daniel seems to like you but he is still very naive 

He thinks we have no cartridges for the shotgun but I always load it when I go to bed

Goodnight Rick and sleep well we eat breakfast at six thirty 

New start but old ways- Part 2

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They both froze as the trigger went click

There was no following  sound and time stood still for a moment

The boy let go of the shotgun and coiled away in fear

Please don’t hurt me he cried

After checking the chamber was empty he said I am not going to hurt you boy

now tell me your name

the boy answered Daniel sir what’s yours

OK Daniel you can call me Rick

Why did you point an empty shotgun at me asked Rick

Because we aint got no cartridges 

Well that was fortunate for both of us said Rick

he glanced around the bare room and realized these folks were poor

Look Daniel I came here to steal something but it looks like there is nothing here

You can relax now I promise I am not going to hurt you

Lets go downstairs and talk said Rick as he put the empty gun on the bed

They walked down the stairs and sat at the Kitchen table

I just got released from prison this morning

I can’t find work and I am desperate for money so I came here to steal

I thought there was nobody home and I am sorry if I frightened you

Now tell me all about yourself he asked Daniel

I an fourteen and live here with my mom

My dad left us when I was a baby so its just the two of us

She works three jobs cleaning and I help around the house here

Rick looked around the paint was faded and the lampshades were broken

It looks like this place needs some fixing up he thought

why was I so dumb to think of stealing from folks who have nothing

Daniel was wearing torn and faded clothes

I was about your age when I got sent to prison said Rick

I messed up my life big time so don’t make the same mistakes as me Daniel

For a start if you need to pull a gun on somebody don’t stand close enough for them to grab it

Can you teach me how to be a man asked Daniel

Before Rick could reply the front door started to open

New start but old ways- Part 1

Ian Hunter1 Comment

He stepped outside the prison gates

Tasting freedom after twenty five years behind bars

The bright light of summer made him squint

He walked into town slowly

Stopping to look in the store windows

Noticing how much prices had gone up

Phones now have miniature movie screens

Wondering if movie theaters still existed

He went into the nearest bar for a beer

Told the bartender he was looking for work

The manager came to interview him

Asking him what experience he could bring

Well its been a while he said but I know how to sell drinks

Are you up to speed on the latest POS systems asked the manager

His blank stare was interrupted by the manager pointing to the screen

The bartender tapped away recording orders for drinks and food

Come back when you have more experience said the manager

He finished his beer and left

No point in looking for retail work he said to himself

Things have changed so much

He wandered into a residential area

Knocked on a few doors asking if they needed a handyman

Nobody was interested

When there was no answer at the next house he went around the back

Seeing a first floor window open he climbed in

Money and jewelry are the easiest pickings  

He went upstairs looking for the bedrooms

As he entered the first bedroom he heard a noise

The distinctive sound of a pump action shotgun racking up

Stop right there or you are dead said a young voice

He looked round to see a teenage boy holding a shotgun

He lunged at the gun just as the boy pulled the trigger

Zoochosis

Ian Hunter2 Comments

wild animals are meant to roam free

take their chance with nature

forage for food and find a mate

hopefully to raise young ones and prolong their species

so why do we put animals in zoos

to be locked up in a totally unnatural environment

if its really to protect endangered species

who do zoos keep and breed so many non-endangered animals

what is the point of studying animals in captivity

you will learn nothing about their life in the wild

zoo visitors don’t really care about animal behaviors

they pay money for recreational entertainment

zoo enclosures are designed to prevent escape

unlike the wild which has no captive boundaries

zoo inhabitants no longer have to work to find food

their meals are delivered to them

we incarcerate humans who have committed crimes

we take away their freedom

force them to live with other incarcerated humans

deliver food to them

what crime did the elephant commit

to be given a life sentence in a zoo

what a boring life for a chimpanzee

pacing up and down the same prison cell daily

incarcerated animals suffer from depression

giraffes were never meant to live in a concrete city

polar bears should not be subjected to heat stress

migratory birds cannot fly far in a cage

zoo animals display unusual behavior

invariant movements with no goal or function

extreme psychological deprivation and distress

this condition is called zoochosis

the tree

Ian Hunter1 Comment

The little tree started life as a small sapling

On the edge of a large forest

He was fortunate not to have been eaten

By the many deer that passed by

He soon grew bigger with branches reaching out

New leaves coming every spring

He loved the long warm summer days 

Growing wider and taller

As summer drifted into fall

His leaves changed from green

To vibrant orange and gold

He slept all through the winter

He grew into a mighty big tree

Providing food and shelter to many animals

He was the king of the forest

New saplings looked up at him in awe

One spring morning the silence of the forest

Was rudely interrupted by machinery noise

The tree recognized the sound of a buzzing chainsaw

He remembered losing many older relatives to this angry roar

The chainsaw blade sliced into his bark

He winced as it ripped through his thick trunk

He could feel every biting tooth

As the steel saw relentlessly passed though him

He lost all feeling in his roots

Unable to stand firm he started to lean 

Without any resistance from his severed base

He toppled over and crashed to the ground

The chainsaw noise stopped

He had never laid down in all his many years

The forest looked so different from this angle

The other trees all looked away in horror

The buzzing started up again

Systematically severing each of his limbs

He shed a few final tears of sap before his death

You can now buy pieces of him at Home Depot

Universal string theory and black holes

Ian Hunter2 Comments

scientists look for theories to explain everything

from the creation of stars and planets

right down to sub atomic particle interactions

the theory of relativity was developed by Einstein

it mathematically explains how stars and planets behave

but his theory breaks down at the sub atomic level

quantum mechanics theory works well for electrons and smaller particles

but when applied to the universe it gives the wrong answers

predicting that we should all have been swallowed up by black holes by now

there is however one unifying theory that seems to work at every level

string theory assumes that a sub atomic particle behaves like a vibrating string

when broken up into smaller particles using a high energy atom smasher

smaller vibrating strings appear with different frequencies

apparently string theory also works for planets and stars

I have my own theory about vibrating strings

whether you like the sound of violins or electric guitars

they all stem from a vibrating string producing notes at different frequencies

your favorite tunes create a resonance in your heart that feels ever so good

just imagine all the little atoms that make up your heart

they are literally all dancing around in unison to your favorite music

and of course when two people fall in love their heart strings are vibrating in pure harmony

string theory is the universal theory that answers every question about the universe

here is a string theory experiment you can perform at home

take a ball of string and put in the back of your kitchen junk drawer

wait a week then confirm you cannot find the string at all

that proves there is a black hole in your junk drawer

you may wonder what happened to your string

it has appeared in a parallel universe in another kitchen junk drawer

somebody is now pulling your string out of their drawer and saying

I don’t remember putting this in here

string theory answers everything