Terms (The Experiments Book 3) (15 page)

Gently, she spoke, and pointed at the paper. “Chrystal. That’s how it’s pronounced.”

“Whoa. OK. Cool.”

“It’s tricky.”

“I’m Rickie.” He snickered. “I’m here to find some clothes.”

“I’m here to help you.”

“I’m meeting the president you know. Of the United States.”

“Wow, that’s exciting.” She smiled pleasantly. “Then you’ll need something impressive. Do you have anything in mind.”

“Dude, I mean babe, I want to have the John Wayne Mo-tiff.”

“John Wayne.”

“See. See.” Rickie smiled and bounced with enthusiasm, “Didn’t know him, huh?”

“Well, I …”

“No need to be embarrassed. Sarge thinks everyone knows who he is, if they don’t I’m gonna tell him. He’s this big cowboy dude in these really old Western movies. He gets the babe every time. Do you think the president likes John Wayne?”

“Probably.”

“Cool. I wanna look like him. John Wayne. Not the president.”

“So you are wanting a south western outfit.”

“Would that be John Wayne?”

“I believe so,” Chrystal answered. “Come this way.”

“Cool. Do you guys have hats? I wanna hat.”

“Absolutely, I’m sure we can find one.”

“Excellent-a-mundo. Can I get one for my dad too?”

“Walk this way.”

Rickie followed her, but didn’t walk her way, in fact, after watching all the John Wayne movies he had the John Wayne walk down pat. And that was how Rickie followed her, just like the Duke would.

***

Adams was just doing his job. Actually, his particular job at that moment was doing meeting minutes. A task he absolutely hated.

He welcomed any break, whether it be the phone or need for more coffee.

Another page finished, he stood and stretch. He heard a clicking but didn’t think much of it. After retrieving a fresh cup of coffee he sat back down. Immediately his eyes focused on the computer.

Not on the screen for a second, he heard the office door open and he turned his chair, and looked up.

“Dude.” Rickie said.

“Oh, my God.”

“So like is my Dad in?” Rickie asked. “I’m back from shopping.”

“Yes, he is Rickie. He ….”

“Do you know John Wayne?”

“Not personally.”

“Dude, you wouldn’t know him personally,” Rickie said. “He’s dead. But he was a huge cowboy guy.”

“And I’m gathering you like him?” Adams asked.

“Awesome yee haw.”

“I see.”

“I do too,” Rickie snickered “And can I see my Dad? Is the Sarge in?”

“Yes, he is but he is in a meeting with Colonel Roberts.”

“Can I wait? We’re supposed to go to lunch. I got him a present, and I put on my new clothes for the president.”

“Oh my God.”

“You like it?” Rickie asked. “Am I not the fashion guy.”

“You … certainly will make a statement.”

“Dude, I plan on making many. I’m meeting the president.”

“So you’ve said. I’ll .. I… I’ll let him know you’re here,” Adams said.

“Tell him I’m wearing my new presidential duds.”

“I’ll make sure of it.” Adams lifted the receiver.

“So I shot an eighty-six,” Col Roberts said. “Not too bad considering my hip was acting up.”

Jake shook his head. “I don’t know how you do it. I can’t do anything on that course. It’s almost like …”

The buzz interrupted him, “Lt. Col, Graison, sir?” Adams spoke over the intercom.

Jake signed to Colonel Roberts, and then pressed the intercom button. “What’s up?”

“Rickie has arrived.”

Immediately Jake looked at his watch. “Holy Cow, he’s early. Rickie is never early. Did he shop?”

“Um .. yes, he shopped alright. He .. Wait a second, Rickie, gees.”

Jake gave a curious look when he heard Adams mumbled something. “Adams?”

“He is wearing it now, sir.”

“Excellent. Excellent. Send him in.”

“Sir?”

“Send him right in.” Jake said.

“But the colonel is in there.”

“We’re done. We want to see how his shopping trip for the Whitehouse went.”

“Ok.” Adams said unconvinced.

Jake ended the call and turned to Colonel Roberts. “I sent Rickie shopping today. I think he’s showing marked responsibility for this trip to the Whitehouse. Impressively he’s early.”

“You’re training him well, Jake,” Colonel Roberts said.

There was a knock on the door.

“Come in, Rickie.” Jake called out.

The door didn’t just open, it flung open. Rickie entered with a slanted stroll, the spurs on his black cowboy boots jingles as he walked. He wore a pair of dark pants, a red shirt, and suede vest. His belt buckle was obnoxious, but it paled in comparison to his tan cowboy hat.

Jake rose slowly in shock. “Good God.”

“Howdy, Pilgrim dudes.” Rickie said and shut the door with his foot. “Thought you and I, Oh, Sarge a partner, can go get some grubber at the Co-ral. Rustle up some gaudy guys.” He turned to Colonel Roberts. “Pilgrim Bob wanna join us?”

“Rickie,” Jake said stern. “What in God’s name are you wearing?”

“It’s my presidential duds, Sarge. It’s my new look.”

“You cannot wear that to the Whitehouse.”

“Why?” Rickie asked. “Bet John Wayne wore clothes like this to the Whitehouse.”

“I bet he didn’t.” Jake said.

Colonel Roberts asked. “You like John Wayne, son?”

“Oh!” Rickie said excited, totally forgetting Jake, and forged his attention to Colonel Roberts. “Dude, John Wayne rocks.”

“Rickie,” Jake snapped. “You don’t call Colonel Roberts, dude.”

“Oops, sorry.” He hunched. “Dude, sir, John Wayne rocks.”

Colonel Roberts nodded. “Yes, he does. Have you see The Horse Soldiers? One of my favorites.”

“No,  dude sir, I haven’t. I want to. I bought it today with six other John Wayne classic film westerns.”

Jake’s eyes widened. “You bought six John Wayne movies? Why?”

“To watch.” Rickie snickered then motion his head Jake’s way as if to signal to Colonel Roberts that Jake wasn’t all that with it.

“I realize that, Rickie,” Jake said.

“Sarge.” Rickie said. “We can watch them together. Maybe then you’ll appreciate my duds.”

“I appreciate your clothes, Rickie. You just can’t wear them to the Whitehouse.”

Rickie stared and nodded. “I know why. You’re jealous.”

“What?” Jake nearly laughed.

“Jealous. You, Sarge, are jealous because you don’t have cool new, John Wayne Presidential duds to wear.”

“Rickie, I am not jealous.”

“You know it, guy. You know deep down inside you look in the mirror every morning and say, ‘whoa, dude, I am tall like the John Wayne Master, I wish I could look like him’.”

“Rickie!” Jake blasted. “I am not jealous.”

“I think you are,” Rickie looked at Colonel Roberts. “What do you think, Bob?”

Colonel Roberts sighed out. “I think he may be a tad jealous.”

Jake bit his lip. “Begging your pardon, Colonel, I am not jealous.”

“I can make that better Sarge,” Rickie smiled. “I got you a gift. Something to make you smile while the Cal-Babe is away.” He set the bag on the desk, opened it, and pulled out a big cowboy hat. “For you, Sarge.” He handed Jake the hat.

“You … got me a cowboy hat.”

“Sarge, it is so you. I paid for it out of my own pocket.”

“You have no money, Rickie, you had my credit card.” Jake said.

“It’s the thought that counts. Put it on,” Rickie nodded.

“No.” Jake set down the hat.

“Sarge, you’re hurting my feelings. Let me see it on you.”

“No, Rickie, I am not putting on a cowboy hat.”

“Whoa, I’m blue. You won’t wear my present. I can’t believe it,” Rickie overly preformed dismay. “Tell him dude, sir, he should put it on.”

“The boy is right, Jake. I believe you should put it on.”

“I’d rather not.” Jake responded.

“Then I’ll order you to put that hat on for this young man.”

Jake’s mouth went agape. “I cannot believe you just ordered me to put on a cowboy hat. And look at you …” he said to Rickie. “Wipe that smirk off your face.”

“Direct order, guy, gotta do it.” Rickie said pleased.

Grumbling, Jake lifted the hat and put it on.

“Oh!” Rickie was excited. “Sarge. Oh my God! You look just like the Duke. Sarge .. you’re like giant now.”

Jake bobbed his head with rolled eyes.

“Stand like on a bad leg.” Rickie said.

“No.” Jake stated.

“Say pilgrim.”

“No.” Jake replied.

“Please?” Rickie begged.

With intolerance, Jake did. “Pilgrim.”

Rickie shrieked with delight. In fact, he jumped a little, dove on the other side of the desk. “Sarge, we are like the real father and son team, guy.” He wrapped his arm around Jake’s waist. Jake, however, didn’t really budge, or show any emotions except annoyance. “Colonel dude, do we not look cool or what?”

“Oh, you look very cool,” Colonel Roberts said. “In fact …” He reached into his pocket “Smile.” He lifted his phone and took a  picture.

***

‘You’ve got mail,’ the little man stated on Cal’s computer.

Ready to click, Cal paused for the knock on her door. “Come in,” she called.

The door opened, and Billy peeked his head in. “You alone?”

“For the time being.” Cal smiled. “Just getting ready to check my email.”

“Cal, you are so addicted to the net. I can’t believe all this beauty and you are in this room at the laptop.”

“Yeah, well, you’d be the same way if your laptop was here.”

“True,” Billy, hands in pocket walked over to her. “Can I sit?”

“Sure,” Cal scooted over. “What’s up?”

“Just seeing how your study went today.”

“Oh, ready for this?” Cal snickered. “They attached wires to my belly, put me in a room with Marla and made us watch Titanic.”

Billy laughed. “You’re kidding?”

“I hate that fuckin’ movie. Marla loved it. I annoyed her, and Caldwell got interesting tests. Her babies excitement reflected her own excitement,” Cal shrugged. “That sort of thing. I told them let me watch Die Hard,” Cal winked. “They’ll see some excitement come from the uterus.”

Chuckling, Billy laid his hand on her knee. “Wanna grab lunch?”

“I think I’m supposed to eat with the ladies.”

“I’m allowed. I’ll join you, unless you don’t want me to?”

“Don’t be silly, of course, I do.” Cal smiled. “We’ll be so scandalous.” She giggled. “Let me just see who sent me something.” She pulled her laptop forward. “Wow, this is odd.”

“What is?”

“It’s from Colonel Roberts. Jake’s CO.”

“Hope nothing’s wrong.”

“We’ll find out.” Cal clicked on the email and burst into laughter.

***

“Lt. Colonel Graison, how can I help you?” Jake retrieved his ringing phone with a swipe of his hand.

“You’re secretary must be out,” Cal said.

“Cal …” Jake said her name with a smile and leaned back in the chair. “How are you?”

“Bored. Was. I mean … I was just wondering why you were sporting a cowboy hat Lt Col Pilgrim Graison.”

Jake grumbled and drubbed his eyes. “Fuckin’ Rickie is on a John Wayne kick, and he buys me this fuckin’ hat. Colonel Roberts is here and orders me to put it on. How did you know this?”

“Colonel Roberts emailed me a picture.’

“Great.”

Cal laughed. “I loved it.”

“And  I miss you.”

“Yeah, I miss you too.”

“What are you up to?” Jake asked. “Have you been exercising?”

“When I can. Get this, I have to go watch movie number two. I watched one before lunch. The Titanic.”

“You hate that movie.”

“I know. I’m hoping for Die Hard or Rambo.”

“You don’t want them, you cry every time.”

“I know.” Cal said. “But at least I have that chocolate pie to look forward to.”

“What are talking about?”

“I won a pie.”

“Cal, you’re on an experiment. How can you win a pie.”

Cal snickered. “Ready? They put us in this room this morning and said the first one to figure out the common factor between us would win a prize. I was quick Jake, got it in a few minutes. They were stunned. I won a chocolate cream pie. Can’t wait to eat it.”