AZOTUSLAND chapter thirty two

Manfred had been arrested 30 minutes later leaving Helen's house and still on the grounds of the gated community. The gun had gone off and blew out the left rear tire of the Jeep. As Manfred ferverishly tried to patch the hole with some gum he had in his mouth the private patrol came by and picked him up.

When asked what had happened he simply shrugged and said "Dance of Shiva! Maugham is not here."

The renta-cop just shook his head and asked if he could have a slice of pizza on the way in.

Two hours later Manfred was in a lineup at the Marin police department. On the way in Manfred had exclaimed that the building looked like "The space ship from 2001" and they put him under extra guard.

In the lineup, which was about a Quikie-mart robbery some hours earlier, the one witness said "See that guy who looks like Ben Kingsley?"

"Yeah" said the detective.

"It's the guy next to him on his right."

After that Manfred used his shrewdness.

"I wish to declare Immunity!"

"Immunity from what?" the officer asked.

"Immunity from deficiency and indecency!" Manfred said.

"Er, no."

"I declare sovriengty!"

"Er, no. Try again," the guard sighed.

"Dysfunctionality!" Manfred said stomping his feet.

"Yes, by all means," said the guard. "As well as insanity."

"I will now become a Hunger Strike!" Manfred declared. "Like the great Ghandi-Gee!"

One guard looked at the other and they discussed the how the Giants were holding up without Bonds.

"An eye for an eye..." Manfred pronounced, "seems like a fair trades!"

And then they simply took him away to the drunk tank.

*******

When they got back near 1:30 a.m. both Jim and Maugham were exhausted.

It was mostly silent on the way back as both had had a day neither expected.

Jim just looked over at Maug at one point and said "I love you Maug."

"I love you too Jim. let's hope that's enough."

*******

Many hours before Jacob had run a very full Azotus Movie Night in the Theater. It was packed to capacity with extra chairs brought in and Jacob did a great job of leading the discussion after the viewing of Shawshank. They talked about the penal system and injustice and how often those who had jloined religious and political power lorded it over those who simply had soul. One local Episcopal minister named Rick brought up the fact that in the Azotus backyard, or "neighborhood" as he put it, we put people to death. "We kill our neighbors," he said and there was much discussion about this pro and con.

At the end, around eleven, Jacob thanked everyone and slumped back into a chair and closed his eyes.

Ked Woman came in and sat next to him.

"This isn't gonna work for me," she said flatly.

"I know," he sighed.

She leaned over and kissed him on the forehead and said goodbye.

He slept in the chair all night.