Finegan says,
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I want to see those two closer to shore before
I come for you. Don’t want them chasing after
me, if you follow my drift.
______________________________
The houseboat is approaching the broken window, which has one of the
women half out already, seated on the edge, ready to jump. In the
distance we see the bottle raft, very near shore. The men are standing
and pointing toward the high-rise, obviously angry that they were not
picked up in similar manner.
______________________________
Three women are seated on boxes to the rear of the houseboat, eating
peaches. One has one shoe on, one shoe missing. She is still seething.
I’m giving that man my notice!
Barney is sniffing up the skirt of one of the women and gets batted
away. It’s been awhile since they’ve bathed. Finegan is at the paddle
wheel, moving the houseboat up the coastline.
______________________________
The sound of clapping and singing, and a guitar, are heard floating out
over the water. A blazing bonfire can be seen, and people dancing,
hoedown style. This is a party, celebrating or just having fun.
The three women from the high-rise are seated on boxes at the front of
the houseboat, and Joey is at his usual place on the roof, pacing back
and forth, watching for trees or objects under the surface. They will
moor for the night here. The houseboat is not even noticed at first by
the party, gliding up to an open spot along the water’s edge to the
side of the party, anchoring with the grappling hooks, and finally
plopping down the gangplank.
About this time their approach is noticed and a couple comes over to
greet them. The camp mistress is stout but friendly, her man thin as a
pole and quiet. Finegan introduces himself.
Finegan Fine here, trader. I’ve got some
passengers who need directions to any
government base that can help them locate their
relatives.
The camp mistress smiles.
You’re kidding, right? We have those?
25
Finegan has made this statement only to impress on his women passengers
that they need to make their own way and not expect help. He shrugs,
acknowledging the situation. The camp mistress addresses the
passengers.
Where you from?
One of the women points out across the water toward what is now ocean
in the direction of what used to be Florida. The camp mistress is used
to traffic from Florida.
Ummm . . Well most from Florida went up to
Atlanta, but I’d not advise it.
The passengers look puzzled over this statement, so the camp mistress
explains.
Well, the riots and all. Heard about those.
Best to stay away from the cities. They got
zombies there.
As the couple turns to return to the bonfire the camp mistress looks
over her shoulder, calling back with a wave toward the bonfire.
But you can stay here.
The passengers are frozen, not sure how to proceed, so Finegan breaks
the spell by moving forward cheerfully.
Common Joey, lets see what’s to eat. Got those
peaches?
Joey has a sack of peaches and another of pecans, their contribution to
the communal supper. Joey runs ahead to give these to the camp
mistress.
The passengers trail along behind Finegan. As they arrive at the
bonfire, they are greeted by others who have been alerted by the camp
mistress. Some put their arms around shoulders to comfort. One of the
passengers breaks down and is hugged by another woman.
Finegan drifts off to the side with Joey to discuss business and see
what the group might have for barter. He puts his hand out to shake
another man’s hand. Then he grabs the hand of a smiling flirtatious
woman nearby and swings her out into the dance area in front of the
fire, stomping and swinging.
Joey continues to shake hands and introduce himself. He pulls the photo
of his parents out of his pocket and shows it around. Those who look at
the photo are shaking their heads.
______________________________
26
Barney is sleeping in the doorway of the houseboat, guarding the two
inside. An empty whiskey bottle is on the floor next to Finegan, who is
snoring.
The camp mistress is walking quietly through the dewy grass to the
waters edge, and up the plank. She has come to warn Finegan. Finegan
gets up, groggy. The camp mistress points at Joey.
Keep that youngster close now, yahear? We’ve
had reports of kids goin’ missing.
Finegan raises an eyebrow, and nods.
27
Jury of Peers
The houseboat is traveling up the middle of a broad river, thick with
trees along both banks. Dead tree branches are standing like black, wet
soldiers at arms, so thick in places no approach to shore is readily
available. Finegan has Joey at his usual post atop the roof of the
house. Finegan points ahead, along one side of the river.
What’s that up there? Looks like a shack.
Finegan slows his peddling, letting the houseboat drift. Several young
children are seen in the yard of the shack, clustered together. Finegan
sees a place where some high ground is jutting out into the river,
where one could walk ashore. He points in that direction, soundlessly,
wanting to go ashore to see if something might be amiss. Why are there
no adults around?
Finegan peddles quietly and steers with the rudder, while Joey hops to
the front of the houseboat to throw a rope over a sturdy branch. They
are downriver from the shack, and have apparently not been seen by
anyone. Holding onto a branch, Finegan swings down onto the finger of
land. He is holding onto branches as he goes along the land projection,
stepping gingerly. He makes his way to the riverbank and up along the
bank toward the shack.
Finegan walks up to a chicken-wire cage, strung from one tree to
another and nailed firmly. The only opening is at a door of the shack,
so there is no escape from the cage. The chicken wire seems to be
buried in the ground, as well as strung overhead, so climbing or
tunneling are not a ready option either. Finegan walks up to the fence,
curling his fingers through the chicken wire, tugging it slightly,
testing. It is immediately apparent that this is not a yard meant to
28
keep children at play from falling into the river. Something else is
afoot.