Winter in Knoclown: An Ishiro Ito Mystery
by Texzilla
(It would probably help if "The Road To Omar Noir" was read first.)
The long grass was just on its last stages of green, with more than a few already drying out and turning their yellowish brown. When it waved in the wind it made a slight hollow noise, instead of the usual muffled purr. On the top of the hill, where the young man came over, was fully in the sun, so the grass was more dried out there than farther down near the small sea side town of Knoclown.
To anyone else, anywhere else on the face of the Earth, they might have been an alarming group. First was the tall, supremely built black man. Wearing nothing in due to the heat than some well faded jeans he towered over the others in the group. His black skin shimmering in the sun. Shoulder's wide and round, chest heavy and weighted down from all the muscle. Beneath the jeans huge leg muscles strained he fabric almost to the breaking point. One gigantic arm carried a suitcase that had seen better days, the other holding the torso of what appeared to be another human being growing out of his side.
But while it was another person, it wasn't another person connected to him. They were not what was known as a Siamese Twin at the time in the 30's. It was a human being who had no body beneath his waist. With one arm wrapped around the black man's shoulder the other hand also carried a suitcase. He was a good looking, slightly too thin, young man, hair slicked back and parted down the middle. Well dressed in a nice shirt and suit coat that was far to hot for the weather to be comfortable. Seeing him sitting at a table without a view of his lower body, or the lack there of, one would not know there was nothing below his navel.
Coming up behind them were three more people. A very hairy young man dressed in a perfectly white Panama suit and hat, and two older little people. The white of the suit could not hide the deep brown hair that grew out of every pore of the young man's skin. A good tuff poked out of the top of his shirt above the tie and long stands hung out of the sleeves. Beneath his white hat long hair hung down not only in back, but off his face as well.
The two dwarfs were older than the rest of the group, in their late 50's. The wife was dressed in a fine summer dress that caught the wind elegantly. She shaded herself and her husband with a lace covered parasol. The husband had taken his coat off and was undoing his tie due to the heat. He gave the impression of someone who normally would not be see dead under his wife's frilly umbrella, but the shade was too welcomed for him not to make the exception this time.
"You see off there, over the hill?" Remy Sanchez, the man covered in hair said pointing off in the distance to where what looked like a cloud of smoke was rising behind a hill. "That's the dust kicked up by the cart. They're going to beat us there if we don't' hurry."
"I didn't think the idea was for us to beat them by walking, but for us to stretch our legs … so to speak … jeeez… Is there anyway I can get out of the embarrassment of having said 'stretch our legs' to people who have very short legs… and no legs?" Omar said turning very red under his very black skin.
"Yes, but not taking it so seriously, dear." The small woman said patting him on his thigh lovingly. "It's just a phrase. And besides you're right. After the train and the bus then the taxi and the ferry over here, the idea was to use our legs. Remy you can scamper ahead if you wish, but I'm in the mood for a stroll."
"Stoll or stoke, Betsy?" her husband Marty asked. "Stop hogging the umbrella."
"It's a parasol. Umbrellas are made to keep the rain out, parasols for the sun."
"Then let it do its job over my bald spot. Don't know how you stand it Omar."
"Guess I'm just used to it sir. The darker the skin the more exotic the act. How you doing Gaston? Need to switch hips?" The large Blackman said to the fellow he was holding on his side.
"I'm fine but if you need to switch, please do. I appreciate the ride."
"Not too bumpy or hard on you?"
"No, you're firm but not solid enough to hurt. Not like that cart we use to come into town normally. Every rock it hits sends a shock through me. And the fresh air is so nice after the train and the bus and ferry…"
The group had walked down the well worn path though the high grass and began entering an open forest area. The hot sun soon could not make its way through the thick layers of leaves and limbs above their head.
While not as defined as before the path was still clear, leading them down father into the wooded area. A cool breeze made it's way across their path instantly letting them know how much closer they were again to the ocean. In the trees above them birds flew and off to the side something once in a while would make the ground cover move, the bushes shake.
"Are there… I guess, animals out here? Like snakes and alligators? Are we safe?" Omar said getting a better grip on Gaston.
"Well sure there's animals out there. It is a forest. The bigger snakes and all the alligators and crocs are a few miles back in the area of swamp between this part of solid ground and the mainland. What we're hearing are raccoons, squirrels and maybe a few smaller snakes. Don't bug them, they won't bug us." Remy said picking up a small fallen branch and throwing it off the path. Near where it hit a rustle of undergrowth showed that something was running in the opposite direction of them.
"Guess I would know that if I really was from Africa." Omar said with a slight smile to his lover.
"Yea, the big African Warrior Prince from the north side of Chicago." Remy said taking his hat off, reaching up and placing it on the black man's baldhead.
They continued along the path for a while, Omar having to let others take the lead since he didn't know which branch of the path to take when they came up. There were several off shoots from the main path, but they all looked the same to the newcomer to the area.
Eventually the path started to take more of a downward slope than before, and around the bend they found their destination.
The town of Knoclown had no more than two dozen small homes, along with several larger buildings. Such as the boarding house most of the group was heading for, but none taller than two stories. The houses were quaint and tidy. Almost like a small European town one would imagine could be found in the Alps but hidden away on the shores of Florida's west coast. Most of the houses lined a large central plaza, it paved in cobblestones. There wasn't enough room for a car, but one wasn't needed. The plaza lead down the main street to just short of the ocean. The forest still growing around all the buildings, only letting in streams of sunlight. The town situated just so that, unless someone happened to look off to the side while passing close by on a boat, one would never see it. This was the winter quarters for who were commonly called the sideshow freaks. The privacy and the dignity that came with it was intentional.
"Oh this is beautiful" Omar whispered.
"Glad you like it dear." Betsy said patting his hand. "Welcome home."
"See I told you they'd beat us." Remy said pointing at the flatbed cart that had left from the dock on the other side with the heavier luggage and the towns people who did not feel like walking as this group did. There was several more small people like the Connolly's who had joined them in the walk, Lewis the human skeleton who was quickly joined by his wife and equally thin daughter, and Peter Petunia, the show's "He/She".
"Come on. They did have two horses pulling the cart. Besides, there's no way Mr. Ito could have made that walk here. He's not that strong despite having longer legs than all of us combined. Oh, sorry Gaston."
"Get over it Omar. You can put me down, I can handle it from here. Thanks for the lift!!" Once Gaston was placed on the group he showed how much he had incorporated the lack of a lower body into his life. Lifting himself up and using his arms and hands as feet and legs he moved off into the boarding house.
"Did you like the ride in Ishiro?" Remy asked the 7'10" tall Japanese man and he moved off the cart.
"Quite unsmooth but, we have arrived. Omar! I'm afraid I must ask for your help again to move my trunk into the room. Could I please take advantage…"
"My pleasure sir. Do you know what room you'll be in? Come to think of it I don't know what room I'll be in. Umm don't suppose I could room with…?"
"Cripes. Let's get this over with.." Remy said leading them into the boarding house. Inside the large reception area they came upon Remy's father, the sideshow's Rufus the Dog Faced Man being smothered in kisses by a fairly large woman. Their embrace and affection was one of a couple that had not seen each other for quite some time. "You two have 15 rooms to lend out, why don't you go get one to continue this."
"There's my son." The woman said in a strong English accent. "You have grown so much, oh come here!!" Quick enough Remy was surrounded in his Mother's attention even more than his Father had.
"Mother, I can't breath. Let up a bit please."
"I've just missed you two so much. I had no idea what it would be like with both of you on the road. The boarding house didn't nearly keep me busy enough to not miss you so much! Oh you've grown so. Well, let's see who we have here. Why this must be Omar.. or should I call you….Mark?"
"Omar is fine, mam. It's nice to meet you."
"What a fine … large young man. You two must …MUST show me the act you put together. I insist. And of course this is Mr. Ito. How nice to have you join us for the Winter break. Please watch your head. Now, we don't have a bed quite long enough but I'm hoping you will like the room I have for you. And did I understand correctly that your Nephew might be visiting us too? How wonderful!! The room should be big enough for the both of you. He's not as tall as you are? No, then it should be. It's usually saved for Bertha Ann but she's staying with family during the break. Lord knows that's cut down on my shopping list to the mainland. I hear she gained another 70 pounds this season. Her Mother's going to be cooking day and night too…"
"Mother!" Remy said interrupting his Mother's none stop talking. She looked up from her guest check in book from behind the counter like someone shot off a gun. "I'm going to take Omar back and show him my room. Get him settled in.."
"Remy I have a fine room for Omar. It's the little attic room, so nice, you'll love it. Best room for a single in the house. Has it's own balcony, although you might be a bit large for it, I'll give you the key and.."
"Mother. Omar and I share a trailer all our own, we'll be fine together in my old.."
"Now Remy." His Mother said setting her eyes on her son in a way that he knew was more serious than she was going to let on. "I'm sure Omar would like a room to himself after being cooped up with you for so long. You're both adults and need your privacy. You can show him his room, if you will."
Remy snatched the key from his Mother and made for the steps across the room. Omar wasn't 100% sure what was going on, but he had a good idea and quickly followed. He stopped briefly to address the giant Japanese man. "Mr. Ito I'll get you trunk in just a bit it that will be OK?"
"Perfectly fine, child. No hurry."
Omar made his way up the stairs but lost Remy at the top.
"Down here." He heard from the far end of the corridor. Omar walked down, turned a corner at the end, to find a smaller side hall, barely half the width of the regular, with Remy standing outside a door. "Can you believe it? I knew Dad told her about us. I knew she'd pull something like this." He said unlocking the door and heading up the few more stairs into the room. It was barely big enough for the single bed on one side and a desk on the other. At least the wall along the desk was one big bookshelf, without any room for one more book to be added. Hundreds of old volumes lined the wall.
"Remy… I mean… it's alright. It's a small room but it's fine. While it is a boarding house this is also your parent's home so well kind of have to live by their rules."
"This room is only used when we're booked solid, and we're no where close to being booked solid this break. She just wants to keep you as far away from me while we're here as she can. Why do you think I'm on the first floor way in back in the family quarters and you're on the 2nd and a half floor, way up top? Enough creaking floor boards on the way up here that she'll catch us even thinking about each other. After all the grief she got from her family for marrying Dad, she pulls this. Probably happy you're not really a Negro."
"Calm down, you're getting all worked up. Now I see that it was your Mother who you inherited the unstoppable mouth from." Omar said taking his lover in his arms. "We can survive this. I… like books. We'll put up a good show, we'll be her perfect little boys, then when we head back I can fuck you so hard you'll yell loud enough to make the birds fly out of all those trees." Omar said bringing his lips to Remy's.
"I am nothing like my Mother."
"Let's not mention parents in the brief times we have to make out."
"I think I know a way to get even. Another big difference between this room and the family quarters, I have my own bathroom. Let's go.."
After making a brief diversion for Omar and Remy to sneak back to Remy's room, Ishiro Ito was sure that his trunk would not be moved to his room for some time. Thinking that it's contents should be Ok for a bit of time longer he left the boarding house to take a walk around the village. It was getting dark out and the few street lamps had been turned on. With those along with the lights from the houses gave him enough light to see still. The breeze coming off the ocean and the sound of the waves far too enticing not to walk towards.
After being in the states for the past year Ito was struck at how, after all this time, he finally found a place that reminded him of his home in Japan. It was not the Pacific he was walking towards, but still close enough to an ocean to take it's place for now. Living in the trailers and compartments of the circus. Traveling mainly to large cities. And even when in smaller towns, not getting a chance to wander out into the 'real' world. He found how much he was missing his garden. And the birds. And the people. He had friends here but, they were not the same. They were not his people. In a community of individuals who did not fit into the norm of society, Ishiro Ito was feeling all the more removed.
Off in the forest to his left a sudden spark lit. Not bright enough to shed light on what caused it. While the flash was gone in an instant there appeared to be a small burning ember left behind. Ito tried to adjust his eye sight to see if he could make out what was gong on.
"I don't think I have ever seen you out of those damn robes they make you wear." A familiar voice to Ito said.
As the ember got closer Ito could see that it was the tip of the thin cigar his friend Adam Talltrees was smoking. The young Indian moved through the bushes and fallen tree limbs like a cat till he stood in front of Ito. His denim jeans were well worn and his lighter denim shirt undone to expose his well built, smooth chest. Talltree's hair as usual flowed down his back. The smile on his face, accented by the cigar reminded Ito that, then again, having friends who were not his people could still be acceptable company.
"Friend Adam, I did not know you were here." He said putting out his large hand and shaking Adam's, after giving a polite bow. "I had lost track of you back in … Po..kip..see? Is that how it is pronounced?"
"Yep. Had a few private things to take care of before heading here. Thought I'd take Remy up on his offer of a place to stay. Me and, the lady of course.." Adam said gesturing off behind Ito. He turned slightly to find Miss Lourdes the circus fortune teller walking up the beach towards them with a basket in her hand. Her long dark red hair caught the few remaining glints of light, making the deep red match the glow from the end of Adam's cigar. Her black dress started just slightly above her bust line and ended far enough from the ground to show that, like Adam, she was barefoot. Much more revealing than the times would normally allow, but being a 'gypsy fortuneteller' allow Lourdes some leverage in her style to remain exotic. And stunningly beautiful.
"My dear Lourdes." Ito said again giving a brief polite bow.
"Ishiro, I'm glad to see you survived the trip. This place is so calming I've already told Adam we're moving here once our time with the circus is done."
"I sort of have this whole ranch back in New Mexico. Maybe you should check that out before staking a claim." The short Indian said taking the beautiful gypsy in his arms. "Only been here a few hours but, I must say, it does agree with you."
Their kiss, while not as passionate as usual still made Ito a bit uncomfortable. "I should return to see if young Omar can help with my luggage.."
"I believe the boys are quite busy with their project. From what I understand, we'll hear when they're done. Why don't you stay and share a drink with us." Lourdes said placing the basket on the ground and taking out the contents.
"I do not wish to impose." Ito said trying to make his exit.
"Oh dear, are you sure? It's just that we have this sake and I'm never sure it's its good or not. Won't you please stay and give us your opinion?"
She handed the chilled bottle to Ito who did not even need to check to know if was his favorite brand and style.
Back at the boarding house Mrs. Sanchez had continually checked to make sure that Remy's bedroom door was open. Nothing could happen if the door was open, could it? While she wasn't sure what the two boys were doing, with the door open she felt it was safe. Besides there was the boarding house to run and with the one wave of guests coming in that day, another to get ready for the next, she was quite busy. Still she couldn't help but hear the occasional laughing that would come from the room.
As she was checking the large dining room to make sure things were set for that's evening's meal Omar came from the back. The smile on his face was curious indeed. And that he wouldn't make direct contact with Mrs. Sanchez at first.
"Mrs. Sanchez… I just want you to know… that while I helped, it was not my idea… and I told him not too."
Omar moved out of the way to reveal someone standing behind him she wasn't sure who it was at first. She hadn't seen anyone else go in the boy's room. And while there were some new faces this year, she couldn't place who this was. Certainly not Mr. Ito's nephew. It was when he put his glasses back on and a grin hit his face that his Mother knew who he was and what he had done. Except for a passing resemblance to a 'normal' haircut on top of his head, Mrs. Helena Sanchez was seeing her son Remy void of his thick growth of body hair for the first time. She could see his face, his nose, his chin, his ears, the shirt open enough to see his chest, arms out of their sleeves were bare, the shorts short enough to expose his smooth calved and feet. A few nicks here and there where the razor didn't remove the hair as cleanly as it should. Small patches of stubble. But the skin for once, fully exposed to the air. All a light honey color noting the heritage of his father.
"RAOUL GET IN HERE!!!!"
Back on the beach the three friends gave a look towards the house.
"Told you we'd know." Lourdes said pouring them another drink.
Dinner was severed slightly late to the guests at the boarding house. And slightly quieter than usual. But guests did get a bit of a show for entertainment that night. Given the screaming match between Remy and his parents that went on for the better part of a half hour, it would have to be quieter even if one of the hurricane sirens was going off in the room. Omar couldn't handle much of it, or understand a lot of the Spanish that started getting thrown around either. He was sitting on a bench across from the house when Adam, Lourdes and Ito came up to see the commotion. Adam doing his best to cheer the young man up while Ito and Lourdes tried to pretend they weren't listening to the argument the whole town could hear.
Eventually the Sanchez's found that there was nothing they could do or say. Remy made the point that it was his life, it might be January but it was still hot and besides, it would all grow back within two weeks anyway. More than enough time so that when they rejoined the circus, no one would know. Even his Mother's mumblings that he had "completely ruined tomorrow's surprise" could not wipe the triumphant smirk off Remy's face.
But it was an act of defiance no matter what justifications he could give them. And they all knew it. So did everyone at the dinner table. Normally the first night returned from the world guests would tell tales of what happened, spin tales and keep people up top date. Tonight though, an ample helping of quite went along with the meal.
After indulging in as much of the dinner as he felt he needed, Ito whipped his mouth with the napkin and made his leave of the rest. He picked the bottle of sake off the side board. Lourdes had made sure he knew it was to be taken back to his room for his own use, and not the house's.
"Oh Mr. Ito!" Mrs. Sanchez said calling out to him, her thoughts broken from her son back to business as it should be. "I forgot to ask, do you know when your Nephew will be joining us? When is he due?"
"I am unsure. If he arrives it will be tomorrow. I wish I knew more but, you know how family is?" Ito said giving Remy a look. Remy's eyes bugged out of his head at the thought that Ito might get his Mother started again.
"I know fully."
Ito made his way carefully through the boarding house to his room. The ceilings were just high enough that he didn't have to bend over that much to walk, but entering the room needed so adjustments. Since the room was usually used by the circus fat lady everything tended to be a bit bigger than normal, which suited him perfectly. Indeed the bed was not long enough but his feet stuck out of every bed regardless. There was a wonderful large overly stuffed easy chair next to the bed, perfect for his size. Ito felt he was falling into a cloud when he sat in it. In front of the chair and next to the bed was his large steamer trunk. Since Omar was trying to avoid the commotion he again asked the large man if he could move the trunk into the room. It was far too heavy and bulky for the giant Japanese man to move.
The trunk stood on its side, the seam running from top to bottom where the opening was. Ito unlocked the few locks along the opening and pushed one side till the trunk was open, parted in the middle.
Immediately the naked man who was bound and gagged in the trunk fell out. The carpeting on the floor thick enough that no one outside could hear the thump. A slight grunt came out but was also not loud enough to hear. His hands still tied securely behind him, and those then tied to his feet. A rope around the man's neck was also tied around his knees, keeping him in a perpetual kneeling position even while laying down on his side on the floor. His eyes were closed with thick tape and his mouth was shut with a ball shoved between his teeth. Ito bent down and removed the tape from the man's eyes.
After a moment the bound man began to shake. His muscles quivered and spasmed. His head also began to rock some. With his eyes uncovered Ito could see the man was perfectly awake but not understanding what was happening to him. His muscles tensed then filled out, growing larger and larger to the point where the ropes began to cut into his skin. His hair, which was light brown and slightly curly turned a deep black and straighten out. His beard, for the most part feel out as did most of his body hair. Leaving him smoother than even young Remy could make himself in several hours using the razors. He was left with a slight mustache over thinning lips. His skin coloring turned slightly brownish, matching Ito own. As so did his eyes soon match Ito's. The heavy lids grew in and slightly elongated giving him the exact same Asian eyes that people from Ito's home land had. For that was how this former fair built man now appeared to be, a well build, smaller, smoother young man from Japan. The look in the man's eyes continued to be one of shock. Of not knowing what was going on, but knowing something had happened.
"So" Ito said removing the ball gag. He poured himself a small glass of the sake and took a sip. " We have some things to talk about….'nephew' ".