Welcome to the world of
Michael G Kimber
Michael G Kimber
The Nightwriter
Altered Egos
Maurice stood at the corner, gazing idly at the traffic as it poured out of the narrow opening on his left. Three lines of continuous movement emerged from the tight confines of the old narrow street, through the ancient arch and then into the relative freedom of the junction and then the open road. It was a blur of sound and movement as each vehicle tried to stick to the one in front as if by some invisible binding. They stayed as close as possible to avoid, or rather to beat, the guillotine blade which would fall when the traffic lights changed, ready to chop off the emerging jet of colour in its tracks. He half closed his eyes and imagined the stream of striped toothpaste from an unseen giant tube being squeezed by an unseen giant hand, then splitting into its separate colours as it emerged, mysteriously and with never-ending certainty, it divided into three directions, as each car followed its route.
Then, as the lights change from green to red and the blade falls, the surge is stopped and no more cars emerge. The tail end of each spurt hurriedly snakes itself away, lest it is swept into the path of a different emission coming with little warning from either side. The drivers of the last vehicles to get through are now relaxing their grips on the steering wheel, and the tenseness in their body, glad that this time they had made it, while those whose whiskers were cut of by the blade, are now cursing their misfortune, and the loss of a hundred and fifty seconds of their live's before that giant hand once again squeezes their tube.
Maurice had stood there, and at many other similar places, lots of times, and the look of bemused pleasure on his face never leaves him.
Je suis stupèfie, pardon; it never ceases to amaze me" he said to group of passing youths, on their way home from school, and preparing any minute now, to chance their lives at the crossing.
They all ignored him, and when he called out a moment later "OK to cross now children" they ignored him again.
"Ce qui elles savant?" he said out loud, but his words were intended only for his own ears, beneath a rather fancy hat. What do they know he said again, more quietly, with a smile, and a little wave of his hand.
The youngsters decided to charge, late as it happened, for the lights were changing as they made their move and three lanes of roaring engines and squealing tires were hurtling towards them.
Maurice smiled. He knew they would make it, pulling out a piece of paper from his inside pocket and giving it a quick glance. As the last one scrambled to safety, he smiled again.
"Non he muttered, folding the paper and returning it to its place of safety "no teenagers on my list, just a young man, and a young lady and only in their twenties I see!
Many people were around him as he chatted to himself, but none of them seemed to notice this slightly odd looking, though decidedly well dressed, middle aged man; or indeed his slightly odd behavior. At least no-one showed any particular interest; rather like the way that no-one bothers any more at people using mobile phones.
"Only fourteen seconds" he said " I wonder who the other side have sent" he paused a moment as he recalled "Yes that's right, last time I was on this pitch it was one of Lincolns generals, and his trainee, a Bosnian rebel.
He stood up straight, 'Two seconds he muttered, just as the imaginary guillotine fell to make its cut in the traffic which was still being squeezed remorselessly through the ancient gateway.
Maurice looked on impassively as one car, after all the others had stopped, squeezed out at speed from the right hand lane into the no-mans-land in the centre of the junction desperately trying to catch up its predecessor. At the same time, the first driver in the waiting queue on the right, made her move far too quickly, anxious no doubt to get home, to prepare the pre-packed evening meal, so that she could be out on the town as soon as possible.
Inevitably they hit in the middle, and as they were both driving with their foot down, their impact was spectacular, and decidedly messy.
Maurice stepped forward at once, and as he did so he saw from the other side of the road his old adversary General Nathan Spencer, coming to join him in the middle of the road.
The other man raised his hand in greeting. "Good evening Maurice" he said "how are you today?"
"Mon Ami" Maurice replied, comment ally-vous and managed a little bow without actually stopping, not wanting 'his friend' to gain an advantage, "I see you are on your own today"
"Yes, yes, these are busy times, and there never seems to be enough of us, what with cut backs and ... well you know how it is
They reached the two crashed cars together, and simultaneously reached in and pulled out the dazed and somewhat surprised occupants, taking them to the side of the road.
The young man, Maurices charge, was angry, ignoring for a moment the helping hand.
"Did you see that? The silly bitch, look what shes done to my car
By this time the 'silly bitch' was out and was equally vocal.
"You jumped the lights, are you insane?"
"What do you mean, I jumped the lights, it was you! Your lights were still at red when you set off"
Your lights had changed to red when you went through, and Ive got a date she added rather ineffectually.
"I did not, I was on the amber - you shot off far too soon - just look at the mess; and how am I going to get home now?
"Well I hope ... her protest tailed off to sigh what a mess she added, her eyes filling up.
By this time Maurice and Nathan had come together, and were quietly watching the little pantomime.
"It's always the same" Nathan observed, smiling
"Ah' wee " agreed Maurice " It's a new age - ils nesont pas civilises he said, slipping once more, as he was apt to do, into his natural language peopled aren't civilized any more"
Maurice and Nathan were sworn enemies, being emissaries from the two opposite camps, but they had been coming together like this for so many years that they had long ago stopped acting like it.
"You're right, people should learn how to behave, show a little decorum, behave like us don't you think?"
"I sometimes wonder where it will end my friend ... vous le croire - but oh dear, just listen to them"
"Youre right the General said again, and we havent got to the crunch yet"
He burst out laughing and Maurice smiled politely.
"Im sorry Maurice, I say it every tine but it still breaks me up"
"Maurice gave the smallest of bows, a little gesture to his 'friend', waiting patiently as he acknowledged the joke he had heard so many times before. He reflected for a moment on Nathans colourful past. He had come from poor farming stock. but in the war of independence he had found an outlet for the roughneck aspect in his character, and he had risen quickly through the ranks.
"Just listen to them and they still haven't noticed" he said, still chuckling.
"And as soon as I can Ill be calling the police the young man was shouting Ill not let you get away with this".
"I'm not getting away with anyt ..."
There she stopped in mid sentence as they heard the familiar sound of, and then saw; swinging around the corner, an ambulance.
So busy had they been shouting at each other that they had not noticed the large number of people who had collected around the two cars, both bearing much evidence of the crash, both embedded one with the other, as in some abstract mating ritual.
Neither had they noticed the arrival of the policeman, who was doing his best to keep the traffic moving to avoid gridlock.
Both of the young drivers stopped shouting, aware that something was a little odd, yet not quite being able to put their finger on it.
It was the man who spoke first.
"No one has been to see us, to ask how we are, or spoken to these gentlemen who helped us out of the cars; and I wonder who sent for the ambulance?"
"Yes it is very odd she agreed, not quite as confident as he, for she was thinking of something else.
We have been very rude she said. Neither of us has said thank you to these two kind men for helping us. We might have been hurt"
She gave the two saviors a big smile, and said "Thank you gentlemen, that was very gallant of you
"A pleasure my dear" answered the American, General Nathaniel William Brown Maam, always willing to help a damsel in distress - and a gentleman as well" he added, turning a little to face the young man.
"Ma cherri mademoiselle" said the French man, Maurice Cordellier; I am delighted to be of service melting at her smile, as only a Frenchman can, so beautiful; and so handsome" he mouthed almost silently, as he placed the gentlest of kisses on the back of the young ladies hand and gave a little bow to the young man.
The young lady looked at the young man, noticing, perhaps for the first time that he was actually quite good looking and smart.
"How are you anyway, are you hurt?" she asked
"No, not a bit; how about you?"
She smiled as he asked, and he in turn noticed that his 'victim' was in fact a very pretty young lady who he would have been preferred to have met in more agreeable circumstances.
Not a scratch as far as I can tell she answered, still smiling.
At least they had stopped shouting at each other.
"We both seem to have been very lucky not to have been hurt, when you look at the cars"
Not that you could see much of them, what with all the people standing about. There were lots of bystanders, quite a few policemen now, more ambulance men - another one had turned up now - as had a fire engine with half a dozen firemen who were trying to force their way into the cars.
There was no doubting that they were very puzzled. I can't understand what is going on.the young man said Surely they saw us getting out of the cars, and another thing he lowered his voice a little. what about these two characters; dont you think that theyre a bit weird?
I must admit they do look a bit odd ... how come we didnt notice before?
The young man spoke up. I dont know but Im jolly well going to find out.
Whats with you guys; is it some kind of fancy dress? he called Whats the deal?
Whats the deal? General Brown repeated, standing up straight with full military bearing, and sounding not a little angry Ill tell you what the deal is ...
But he was interrupted by his friend Maurice.
Calme vous-même Nathan, dont upset yourself, I am sure our young friend did not mean to offend you But then he turned and looked at the young man but what is this robe de fantasize, this fancy dress? he brushed the suede jacket, and straightened a couple of feathers in his hat. my dress; it is not fancy
Now it was the Generals turn to interrupt Its something that came in after us Maurice, Ill tell you later Nathan whispered.
Now he addressed the young couple.
In my day I cut quite a dash, I can tell you. I wore my uniform with pride until a cursed Confederate fighter put a musket ball through my chest. It was never the same after that he indicated with his finger where a feeble attempt at darning had been made.
Standing upright, still proud, he waited for a response, but the couple, nonplused, could think of none.
And I do not think I am the least bit weird said the Frenchman I was a chef de mode; always admired and welcome at court
Until they cut your head off Nathan interjected, with a big smile.
That was something of a disadvantage I will grant you; but I did get the blood off
Thats enough the young man said, then turned to the girl I cant stand any more of this, either theyre nuts or were on candid camera. I'm going to have a word with that policeman ... my name is John by the way - are you coming with me?
"Yes, I'll come too, and my name is Jane"
Nathan gave Maurice a shrug; Maurice responded with a slightly strained smile for they knew that despite all their experience, all their years as escorts, they were coming to the part they liked least of all.
John and Jane reached the people surrounding their cars and were surprised at something they hadn't noticed it before.
The noise. People shouting. Some kind of machine whirring. A ‘big’ noise from the fire engine, though just what it was wasn't clear.
They tried to get through but they didn't seem to be able to make any of the people move, and with all the noise the policeman didn't seem to hear them calling.
Suddenly there was a shout.
"Clear the way, lets have some room here" a police man was calling as two medics emerged from Janes car, its top now cut open like a corned beef tin, carrying a stretcher bearing the body of a very attractive blonde young lady.
"About twenty I would say; wonder who she is?" one of the medics said.
"Nice looking lass too, well at least she was, before this. Until we find out, put her down as Jane Doe"
They followed the stretcher as the medics put the body in the ambulance, and they heard one of them say quietly Here you are John Doe, some company for you
The cold silent face of the young man on the opposite side of the ambulance made no response.
John and Jane turned away from the crowd shocked and silent, and walked back to where Maurice and Nathan were waiting for them. Neither of them could speak; dismayed at what they had seen, and at what they had now learned.
Maurice, ever the gentleman geld out his hand to Jane.
"If only he seemed stuck for the right words un autre manêre, if only there was another way" he said
Nathan patted John gently on the shoulder. "It's always a shock, and I've seen plenty" he said in an accent which was of the federal south. "It never get's any easier"
"What do we do now?" it was John who asked, dazed and bewildered, but it could have been either of them.
"Oh' that's the easy bit, now that we've got that over with" Nathan said in an unhurried casual kind of way, and gestured towards the wrecks. we'll take you on from here to where you have to go
"Will we be going together" Jane asked, a little frightened, taking hold of John's hand.
"No, I'm afraid that won't be possible" said Nathan firmly, in a sudden change of tone, one which seemed slightly uncaring.
"Why not" asked John abruptly, wanting to support Jane, to whom he was beginning to take a bit of a fancy.
"Puits que vois voyes; le problème est" the Frenchman paused. He had never quite enjoyed being the bringer of bad news, "The problem is you see, that you are not going to the same place."