The Continuing Saga of:
”ICICLE BILL and Tommy Two-Head”

Chapter Twentyfive: The Standoff

When Bill awoke, he noticed most of the mass of birds that beset them yesterday had moved on. One notable exception was the big-headed one who remained steadfast and calm, perched in the upper branches of the Mesquite, surveying it’s terrain and kingdom.

The five refugees weathered the night camped in Jimmy Finger’s old Buick. The roomy interior served them well, the fact the aged jalopy wasn’t running, didn’t. They were either going to have to hoof it back to the highway for help, or get the thing started. Jimmy had rounded up all the guns the previous night, in case anyone got any ideas. He was, after all, Bill’s escort and overseer, charged with making sure he stood questioning on some serious charges. That wasn’t Bill’s main concern right now; foremost, he was wondering if he, or anyone else would survive to reach L.A. He was fairly certain that Jimmy meant to execute him right out here in the desert, which meant G Lu, Tom and Blinky Mo would befall the same fate.

Bill quietly looked the threesome in the backseat over. Blinky Mo was pretty badly scraped up, but for the moment had likely been saved from a grotesque and fatal fate. Tom, in the middle, was dead to the world and leaning comfortably on g Lu’s supple shoulder. He looked peaceful, like a little kid as he slept, and appeared to be in heavenly bliss with the beautiful G Lu as a personal pillow. Bill didn’t think it possible, but G Lu was even more gorgeous and desirable asleep. Even in these lousy conditions, the face of an angel surely couldn’t be as lovely. Her hair, undone and untouched, fell in soft layers around her high cheekbones and shoulders. Long, dark lashes lay in luxuriant foliage, decorating and hiding those fiery embers that smoldered with passion without effort. Her nose fell onto too-full lips that protruded unnaturally from a mask of tanned, unblemished skin. How Bill wished he could make everything alright for her, for all of them. But if that was to be even remotely possible, there was Jimmy Fingers to deal with.

Jimmy was fitted snugly between the driver’s side door and the steering wheel, with that ever-present fedora tilted low over his eyes. Did he ever take that thing off Bill wondered. Was he even asleep? What were the chances of Bill getting the jump on him? Bill surveyed the possibilities. What was he going to do? Wrestle with the much larger Jimmy Fingers to gain control of the weapon, or weapons he was obviously packing under his jacket? Just noticing the size of Jimmy’s hands, with a lifetime of calluses, and the memory of who knows how many kills in them, Bill knew making that move might quite possibly lead to disaster. Jimmy could snap his neck with one good snatch. No, to overcome the murderous Jimmy Fingers, it was going to take a much different tact. It was no doubt going to take mind over matter. He needed to get some quality thinking done, the faster the better. Bill surmised the less he thought about how pretty G Lu was asleep, and how well those blue jeans fit, the better chance they all might have to get through the day alive. Well, one more look wouldn’t hurt. He was wrong, it really did hurt when the dreaming G Lu stretched just the slightest and let go a barely audible moan. What could she be dreaming? Bill could only imagine, and he forced himself not to. Instead, he noisily cranked open the passenger window and opened the door. Without moving, Jimmy Fingers spoke. ”Whatta ya doin?”

He hadn’t even raised his head. ”Taking a leak. We better get movin’ Jimmy, it’s going to get really hot soon. Come on and help me get a fire going, let’s get some breakfast before the sun gets too high up.” While Jimmy pulled the cooler and appropriate gear from the trunk, Bill assembled a makeshift campfire with brush and some lower branches of the Mesquite tree. A quick inventory showed that G Lu had tossed in some decent breakfast stock from her kitchen cabinet and frig. A pack of bologna, some French rolls, a dozen eggs, a stick of margarine and a jar of instant coffee. There were some pie tins and Jimmy happened to have a utility camping outfit with a good sized container for boiling water. There were two gallons of distilled water and Bill boiled up some coffee and fried the bologna to go with scrambled eggs and toasted rolls, all in all, by the time the rest of them stirred, a fairly decent breakfast was served. Blinky Mo was still sleeping, and Bill went and rousted him long enough to get some water in him. He was in pretty bad shape and it appeared that sleep was the best remedy. He was incoherent and obviously dazed.

When Bill returned to the others, G Lu and Jimmy Fingers were in a heated discussion over how to best proceed. G Lu was saying, ”It’s only about two miles back to the highway, we could easily walk and flag down some help. If you don’t want to, then Tom and I could go. I don’t think I’ll have any problem getting someone to stop.” No one doubted that.

Jimmy didn’t like it. ”We all stay together. We work on the car, if we can’t get it going, then we’ll all go for the walk.” He looked up at the sky as if to estimate how soon the heat was going to begin to become intolerable. G Lu wasn’t satisfied with being ordered, and she didn’t seem to have any qualms about stating her opinion.

”Look, I’m not the one in your custody. I don’t have to take orders from you and it doesn’t make sense to wait around here while you geniuses work on a hopeless cause. If you could have gotten that thing running, you’d have done it already.”

Jimmy Fingers wasn’t a prize debater, but he did have a presence about him that commanded respect. With a sinister edge to his voice, he made clear that he was in charge, and things were going to go his way. He glared at G Lu in a menacing manner and told her in no uncertain terms, ”Sweetcakes, we’re staying together. That’s how it’s gonna be.” He went back to his coffee.

G Lu stood defiantly, but resigned for the moment. She turned toward the car and stomped back to the trunk and out of sight. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Bill excused himself and told the group he better go talk to her and try and calm her down. No sense in everybody getting upset, it wouldn’t help the situation. He stepped towards the car wondering exactly what to say and realizing this might be the only time he was going to be able to speak to G Lu alone and he better make the most of it. She and Tom needed to be warned about Jimmy Fingers. As he rounded the car to the open trunk, all his thoughts vanished into the vapor and his breath left him in a gasp. G Lu had removed her poncho and shirt and was sponge-bathing and applying fresh deodorant. She was still upset and his presence didn’t appear to interrupt her routine in the slightest. She stood full frontal, daring him to look. He did.

Bill hadn’t been with a woman since Elena. The last memories he had of intimacy were clouded with the shadow of grief and guilt. The last beautiful, nude woman he remembered was lost to the sea and her bones were being dragged across the bottom of the Pacific after her flesh had been ripped apart and eaten by ravenous sea creatures. And, it had been his fault. All of this precluded his going completely insane and propelling him in a downward spiral that ended in his fleeing his job after embezzling the infamous hundred-thousand dollars that, in large part, was the essence of the reasoning for them all being out here in hell. Ironic, stupefying, yet not enough for Bill to dissuade him from a long, lingering gaze at G Lu’s sumptuous breasts. Firm and brown and ripe and highlighted with perfect nipples. The kind one rarely sees in person with just the right size detailing, held aloft in gravity defying attitude at full attention begging to be tended to. Bill searched for the right words.

”You know, we might need that water.”

G Lu looked at him like he’d lost his mind. In a double-take, half spin that set her titties swaying in a hypnotic jello-like frenzy. She spat, ”I really doubt if this one cup of water is going to be the one that does us in. And by the way, thanks for standing up for me back there.”

Bill regained a portion of his mind for a moment. ”G, listen...you need to know something. Jimmy, (he looked over the car trunk lid to make sure they were alone still), he’s a killer. If anything goes down, if I can buy you and Tom some time, you’ve got to get away. I’m almost certain he’s going to leave us all here, dead. I don’t think he plans to return me to L.A.”

G Lu was looking at Bill in a way that lead him to believe that she wasn’t buying all this. As if she seriously was questioning his mental state. He needed to get through to her and time was wasting.

”What are you talking about?” G Lu leaned closer and touched his arm. ”What do you mean he’s a killer’?” Out of the corner of his eye, Bill saw that Jimmy was coming around the car within earshot. He had to act fast, before she said another word. In one quick motion, his arm was around her bare waist as he crushed her into him. His lips were over her mouth and he felt electricity like lightening exploding in his brain. Blood coursed through his body and time and reason flew out the window. He was fully prepared to restrain her to prevent her from speaking and responding to his revelation about Jimmy being a killer. He was not prepared however, for the reaction he was getting. She had gone limp in his arms, melting into him like butter on warm toast. She wrapped her arms around him in a welcoming embrace and was kissing back, giving as well as he could take.

Jimmy approached. Startled, he said. ”Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to...” Bill released his hold, they both were dazed. G Lu shook her hair in feigned nonchalance and brushed past Bill, grazing breasts purposefully against his arm as she went.

Jimmy was stunned. ”So what are you guys doing?”

Bill recovered quickly. ”Well, I been locked up awhile Jim, I was just making my play you know. Tryin’ to get a little somethin’.”

Jimmy was simpatico. ”I hear ya man. Time for that later though, we gotta try an get this car running.” He was speaking to Bill, but both of them were watching G Lu as she crossed to the campfire, pulling on a clean shirt.

”Yeah Jim, we ought to do that before it gets too hot.” Both Bill and Jimmy Fingers continued to stare after G Lu. Jimmy responded, ”Yeah, before that.” They busied themselves looking over the car’s engine, calling over Tom to try to key the ignition as they checked connections and cable leads. Nothing seemed to be working and it was beginning to swelter. G Lu was puttering around the campfire area and cleaning up a bit. From time to time she’d look in on them, her presence was like a sweet smelling flower in a den of vipers.

Every once in awhile, Jimmy or Tom would look up and assess the big headed vulture that was determinately poised in the Mesquite. It seemed content to wait them out. Surely, one or more of the group wouldn’t make it and the hungry buzzard would be there for the spoils. Tom especially was affected by predator birds, with good cause. Bill knew the story and was proud of his friend for riding out the previous day’s assault with courage. He was a little shaky today however, and Bill was looking out for him. If the throngs did happen to come back, he’d make sure to get Tom in the car quick. Bill stole his own glance up at the huge bird. He couldn’t help but notice an odd resemblance, a familiarity there, he couldn’t quite place it.

They heard before they saw. The sound of a large motorcycle engine droned across the desert like a harbinger of doom. Almost immediately, Bill realized what, or who that old turkey buzzard reminded him of. Bumperjack Joe, with Molly aboard, coasted to a halt a few yards on the other side of the Mesquite tree. With them, following close behind, was the Dodger-blue Chevy low-rider that Bill, Tom and G Lu knew from Vegas, inside was Blinky Mo’s partner. When he stepped out, he appeared to have lost a significant amount of weight in a relatively short time.

The two groups eyed one another suspiciously, Jimmy was ready to step forward tentatively, but Bill intervened. ”I know these guys, let me handle it.” He subtly gestured for the rest of them to lay back as he slowly moved toward Bumperjack. Joe stepped forward as well and the two met halfway, like some East – West German border crossing prisoner exchange. It looked like one of those scenes in an old western where the Indian Chieftain and the Calvary Lieutenant meet with white flags displayed as they barter to avoid war. The rest of them stayed back and waited. Molly wandered over near the fire and eyed G Lu up and down. A good half foot shorter, Molly held her head high with her shoulders back. Her long, thick hair was flowing freely in the arid wind and of the two, she undoubtedly considered herself the Queen of the desert and all she surveyed. She did recognize that G Lu was herself a worthy beauty, she sat down near the campfire and allowed her to pour her highness a cup of coffee while the men talked. G Lu couldn’t help hut find Molly fascinating. It was an extreme rarity when she wasn’t the most beautiful woman on scene. As a matter of fact, this was the first time she could think of it happening. There was something else also, an insistent, compelling force seemed to draw her attention to the tiny beauty...she almost couldn’t look away.

Bill and Joe met in open ground, halfway between the opposing groups. Bill thought he’d left on good terms when he first met Bumperjack, now he wasn’t sure of anything. Joe spoke first. ”Bill.” He nodded his big head.

”How ya doin Joe?”

”Never thought I’d see you again.” Joe said.

”Yeah, we’re just resting up, on a layover coming back from Vegas.”

Joe nodded again. ”Not really much of a campsite, buzzards and all.” He glanced up high in the Mesquite, noticing the big bird perched there. ”Molly’s ma says this is a haunted place. Says nothing good comes a folks hangin’ round here.” He leveled his gaze back on Bill. ”I’m inclined to agree.”

Bill understood the cold implication. ”Yeah, I can see that.”

Another pause. ”Ya happen to notice that big ole mess a birds passin’ through here yesterday?”

Bill gave an emphatic grunt. ”Oh, yeah...that was quite an event. We got caught up in the middle of it. Kind of scary for awhile.”

Joe responded. ”Electrical storm in the mountains...drives them buzzards crazy and forces em outta their nests in the high country...they come here.”

Again a pause. Joe continued. ”Ya happen to see anybody else hanging around here-a-bouts?” Bill knew he was referring to Blinky Mo.

”Yeah, we came upon a guy tied up there, to the Mesquite. He’s in the car over there, resting up. He’s in pretty bad shape.”

Joe explained how Blinky Mo had gone crazy back at the Gypsy’s, how he and Molly happened upon the two gangsters and helped them out. He’d hogtied Blinky to the back of his bike and dragged him here after Blinky proved too erratic to reason with. He couldn’t have him around Molly and the Gypsy like that. He was afraid the birds might have done him in and he’d come to check on him this morning.

Bill explained vaguely that he was familiar with the two strangers and he had some business to conduct with the heavy one. Joe was amenable to that, he stood stoically in the hot sun as Bill moved to the Chevy.

Across the way, Jimmy Fingers was watching the proceedings with keen interest. He felt the heavy weight of the gun in his waistband and estimated the time it would take him to effectively draw the weapon. The others didn’t appear armed, but he knew from experience that didn’t mean anything. A man could hurt you if you were caught by surprise, he didn’t plan on being surprised. He casually began making his way toward the campfire, he figured he’d have a better angle if anything went down, from there. Besides, the big headed one wouldn’t be so anxious to shoot in that direction with his honey over there.

Bumperjack Joe was just as cautious. ”Hey Bill! Your friend getting antsy over there?”

Bill hollered over to Jimmy Fingers. ”Jim! Find a spot will you?”

”Just getting some coffee Bill, don’t mind me.” Jimmy settled in near the girls. In spite of his best efforts, his attention was inexplicably drawn away from the hombres and to the attractive feminina sitting with G Lu.

Jimmy Fingers never was what you would call a whore hound...but this one here, this one’s different. Distracting and enigmatic.

Bumperjack Joe was unavoidably noticing Jimmy’s movements, and he didn’t approve. Bill stalled his movement toward Heavy G and turned to examine the dynamics unfolding. Jimmy was at the fire with the girls, that might not be good. Joe was watching them like a snake at a rat hole. Tom was crouched down behind the wheel of the Buick, almost completely out of sight. Bill thought he had a pretty good overview of the situation, one thing he didn’t notice was that as Heavy Griz slid back into the Chevy, he also gracefully pulled his pistol from under the seat and had it at the ready. What happened next, no one expected.