Queen of Harvest Moon

by Angel

 

Part 3

 

The town of Harvest Moon was a very rich and connected town. In actuality Harvest Moon belonged to a corporation and that corporation was in essence footing the bill as it were. Taxes in Harvest Moon were almost nill. Even the state tax was subsidized by the corporation so all who lived in Harvest Moon kept most of what they earned.

If you did your research you would find that the entire town's populace could be categorized in four parts. 1) Those that worked the land or had dairy farms. 2) Those that owned and operated shops and stores. 3) Employees of Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Division. (a company owned by the corporation.) 4) Professional persons like lawyers and doctors and such. (All employed by the corporation through various means and companies.)

The corporation ruled Harvest Moon! Every person was without their knowing it totally dependent on the corporation. A few people like the mayor and those that held a controlling position or occupation were very aware of the corporation. Their very existence depended on the corporation’s demands and rules. If they disobeyed they disappeared! This has happened more than once in the 100 year history of Harvest moon.

The corporation was well known to a certain few in the Federal Government it was actually secretly part of it! The corporation’s specialty? Research and development in many areas. A new development at Harvest Moon has the corporation’s leaders very excited! They received a fax first from Dr. Wigs and then more from Dr. Roma. The mayor was contacted and the planning section of the corporation went into full speed. Operation "Queen" was now in full swing and fully operational.

****

Julia was just finishing her version of what had happened and she was begging her husband Bill to take them away from Harvest Moon. What Julia did not know was her husband’s involvement and dependence on the corporation. Being an executive he was in the loop. He knew that if he disobeyed the corporation, he as well as his entire family would come to a very bad end, they would die! It would look like an accident, but everyone in the loop would know what really happened.

Bill with tears streaming down his face because of his utter helplessness to save his son and family knew now why several meetings were held without him at P&WA!

The phone was ringing and ringing, it would not stop! The insistence of that ring meant only one thing, he had to answer it. Julia began to rise as he held her back with a slight touch of his hand. He rose and answered the phone.

"Bill?"

"Yes"

"Bill, this is Mr. Jackson's secretary (Mr. Jackson CEO of P&WA.) He has called a special meeting here to be held in the main project theatre. You and your entire family are requested to be their. This meeting will be lengthy so be prepared to stay overnight in the city. Do you understand everything so far Bill?"

"Yes, I understand."

"Very good Bill, the meeting is at 8:00am tomorrow morning and please have your wife bring a formal and your tux. The Jackson's are hosting a dinner for you and your wife at the "Club". Your children will be looked after so don't you worry about bringing a sitter. Do you understand all this Bill?"

"I understand." The secretary hung up and Bill just held the now dead phone in his hand. He looked at his wife with tears still flowing down his cheeks.

"Honey, I have something to explain to you and you are not going to like it one bit. I never thought something like this would ever happen to us and now I am afraid there is little we can do about it."

Julia looked at her husband's expression and knew it was very bad news. She would listen and know he was telling her the truth. Bill was the one to fix the drinks this time, much stronger with little mix added. He sat once again with Julia on the love seat and explained it all from the beginning. She indeed believed him and she knew they had lost their son. Nothing was worse than the death of her children and she knew she could never run away with them. There was no where they could run to or ever even expect to hide from the corporation. It just was not possible. They held each other close, both crying onto each others shoulders. Their was still one chance that they held out hope for and that was to be tried at the meeting!

****

Mr. John Aims, the O'Hare's family lawyer was just then pulling into the O’Hare’s driveway. In his briefcase he had the papers Fred McKay the town's mayor had given him. He knew what Bill's reaction was going to be, but he worried about Julia O'Hare's reaction. John had been informed and now was part of this operation. Operation "Queen" would cause him many sleepless nights and he knew as did Bill there was no way out of his involvement. He approached the side door to the house when the door was opened by the pair. John could only nod to them as he entered. (He had to remember to cancel the thing with Jane! he would be in no mood for what they were going to do.)

****

Dr. Wigs "Henry" and Dr. Roma "Claire" were sitting in her office having a celebratory drink toasting Ricky O'Hare and their coming fame and fortune. A corporate folder was in front of them "SECRET" stamped on the outside and on all the documents that it held. Operation "Queen" was unfolding and forming The doctor's being the key element to it all.

Their fortune would come first as it was explained to them by their boss, Mrs. Jackson. Doctor Elizabeth M. Jackson MD. was the head of the State Medical Review board as well as a major player in all things involving Harvest Moon's hospital, clinics and doctor's. She had nothing to do with P&WA but was deeply involved within the corporation. Her husband? A minor player in the corporation’s medical research divisions. His was connected high up in the corporation’s military research and development programs.

****

Operation Queen was indeed in full operational mode now as each member both knowing and unknowingly were receiving their instructions in one way or another. Not all of the townspeople knew they were part of the corporation, some were blind to everything and some just did not want to know why everything was so successful for them. What they did know was when asked to do something by certain people it was best to just do it and not ask for explanations! Those that did ask were drawn deeper into the web which there was no escape from. You had more freedom if you did not ask any questions and a few liked it that way.

****

Those being contacted in one way or another all involved Ricky in some way. That being the beauty shop, dressmaker, pharmacist, furniture store, medical supply store, jewelry store and the list goes on and on. Each to contribute something free of cost to the O'Hare household. The corporation would pay for everything through the town's treasury. Yes, operation queen was now in full swing.

****

The mood of the town was a very happy one! Most of the people were very excited to have a part to play in Ricky's transformation or the festival. This was a first and those that contacted each one involved made sure that those who took part were happy in what they were about to do or supply. Yes, the townspeople were all excited and pumped up! This year’s event was going to be one hell of a party! The biggest and grandest celebration of them all! To be involved in some way meant rewards, bonuses and recognition! The people’s ego's would be stroked and inflated to the bursting point! They were told it was going to be filmed and they would be included in the films credits if they themselves were not in the film itself! Everybody was a winner and everybody wanted to win! Well, almost everybody, there was still a few townspeople that voted no at the town and PTA meetings that must be dealt with and hopefully turned in the right direction.

****

Ricky woke up suddenly screaming, waking from a nightmare and in physical pain. He had dreamed he was being cut up and other pieces were being sewn into and onto his body. His vision was one of a monster like Frankenstein his physical pain adding realism to the nightmare. He screamed once again as his mother entered the room and his father quickly followed. Julia picked her son up and hugged him very close and started cooing to him as his father added his arms and the three were locked in a family embrace. Tears flowed freely as they were joined together it was the families nightmare after all.

****

Mr. Aims picked up the forms that were signed by Julia and Bill. He had signed them as being the witness of the O'Hare's signing and put them back in the briefcase. He silently made his way out and drove away. Back to the Mayor's office and the fax machine, then to the vault where the papers would be safe from tampering or destruction. He would not sleep that night or for many more after that as well.

****

The phone rang once again, ring, ring, and ring. Bill went into the master bedroom and answered it. "Hello Bill?"

"Rita? were a little busy right now could you please call back later?"

"NO I WON'T CALL BACK LATER! Put Julia on Bill and do it now please."

Bill went back into Ricky's room and took Ricky from Julia. "Honey, Rita is insisting on talking to you."

"Hello Rita,"

"Julia, what is going on with Ricky? Wait before you answer that I just received a phone call from Mrs. McKay (The mayor's wife.) and she had Ricky enrolled as a student in my ballet class. What makes it a little strange is I am to teach him the girl's lessons. She also informed me that you already had Ricky's dance costumes and supplies at your house and I could start teaching him next week. Dorothy has been yakking at me nonstop since she brought Terry over and I am still confused as to what she is trying to tell me. Did Ricky really mess himself? Is he ok? Julia what is going on?"

"Rita, have Dorothy stay their and watch Terry and you come over here. I will try to explain it all to you. Please do not do or say anything when you are here to upset Ricky ok?"

"Ok Julia, I will be right over." The phone went dead and Julia put it back onto its cradle.

****

Bill with Ricky still in his arms followed Julia back into Ricky's room. Julia gathered a few supplies stuffing them back into the diaper bag and they went downstairs together. There was an urgent sounding knock at the door and Julia opened it seeing Rita and motioned for her to come inside. Ricky had stopped crying but said he hurt so Julia was getting the medicine from her purse and from the diaper bag which held the ointment and cream. Rita's eyes got real big as she saw all the boxes, bags and packages strewn around the living room.

"Rita, let me take care of Ricky before I explain things. You can help Bill look through all these deliveries and sort them out ok?"

"Sure Julia, what is in all these?"

"I have no real idea Rita, so just help Bill sort through them and organize them somehow ok?"

"Ok. Bill, where do you want to start?"

"We will start with the biggest and work down to the smaller ones."

With that said the two of them began unboxing the biggest deliveries. Julia went into the kitchen and laid Ricky down on the table as she looked over the medicines taking out the pain medication. It was liquid Morphine and it came with a measuring spoon which she used and had Ricky swallow it. She knew he would be pain free very soon. She checked to see if he was wet and he was just a little and he had not messed again so she carried him back into the living room laid him on the loveseat and covered him with an afghan. Ricky was watching with great interest as his daddy and Mrs. Wood were unpacking huge boxes. Julia joined Bill and Rita and soon the room was filled with pieces of cardboard and furniture.

They all heard a truck pull into the driveway and looked at each other. All three went to the side door and looked out the window. Six men and one woman climbed out of the truck and the men were putting on tool belts that were fully loaded with tools and things. The woman came up to the door and seeing the three in the window, smiled waiting for the door to be opened. Bill opened the door and the women introduced herself as Susan from Penland furniture. She was to help supervise the assembly and arranging of the new furniture as well as the removal and storage of the old furniture. She also held a list of what went into what drawers and sections of the different assembled pieces. As Rita and Ricky looked on Susan went upstairs with Julia and Bill remained downstairs as the men began assembling the furniture pieces. One man was removing the cardboard and soon the living room was looking much better save for all the furniture fastly being put together.

"Julia, soon another vehicle will drive up and several ladies will come to help us pack up the items Ricky won't be needing. Everything Ricky will need will be here today and we have to make room for it all. All this old furniture and everything else will be put in storage. Nothing will be taken from you that cannot be returned in the same condition it left in. Ricky now has a complete bedroom suite with a vanity and other things. I know you have a finished basement and we will need an area of that as well. A representative from List Medical Supplies will be here soon to help with that."

"Excuse me Susan, but some of these things are not to be removed. Ricky's toys and books as well as all the pictures and posters are to remain in place."

"I am sorry Julia, but that can't be. That is why you are here with me to put aside what you want kept. Everything in this room is to be removed and I mean everything. The painter's will be here shortly as well as the carpenter's, electricians and carpet installer's. Just put what you want kept in a separate room. Any room besides this one and the basement ok?"

Julia was angry and it started to show as she stopped Susan from looking in Ricky's closet.

"Julia, please understand you have no choice in this matter. I have asked you to help by removing the things you want kept, but if you hinder any of us in anyway I can and will have you removed and kept from returning until all the work is completed. Do you want that?"

Reality set in on Julia then as she helplessly just nodded and started to gather what she knew Ricky would want and need in the near future. The only limitation set by Susan was any clothing kept was to be androgynous in appearance. No obviously boy clothing was to be kept in the home.

A man in a light blue suit showed up and asked Bill to move his car into the garage to make more room in the driveway. The man did not even introduce himself! He just started to take charge of the operation ordering the men upstairs to remove the old furniture. Bill was very angry now and spun the man around forcibly making him see eye to eye.

"I don't know who the hell you are, but don't come into my home without so much as introducing yourself and stating your purpose to me! If you don't do just that and right now you will find yourself on your ass back outside!"

The man smiled slowly and introduced himself.

"Hello Bill, my name is Mr. Black and I am here by behest of the corporation. That is all you have to know and that is all I am going to tell you. I would make one strong suggestion to you and that is to remove Ricky, your neighbor Rita and yourself from this house and soon. I am sure Rita's daughter Dorothy and your daughter Terry would be glad to see you both at the Wood residence don't you think? Julia will remain here and see to it only the necessary items are removed and put into storage. Oh and Bill, please move your car into the garage."

Without waiting for an answer Mr. Black returned to ordering the men about turning his back on Bill once more. Bill gathered up Ricky as he hollered for Julia and Rita grabbed her purse before it got mixed up with all the clutter.

Julia came down a few steps as Bill told her what was going on and then he holding Ricky and Rita started walking toward the front door. Just before Bill went out the door he hollered for Mr. Black and as Mr. Black turned Bill through his car keys at him hard and fast. "You move the damn car." With that said Bill, Rita and Ricky walked to Rita's house.

Smack went the keys right on the left cheek of Mr. Black leaving a red welt where they had struck him. He could hear laughing as the front door closed and behind him. He looked up and saw Julia chuckling at what her husband had done. She quickly returned to Ricky's bedroom seeing that already the bed had been taken apart as well as the drawers removed from the dresser. She rushed over and grabbed the pictures and a few other items

that were set on the floor after being removed from the dresser top. She quickly began gathering things from the walls, closet and Ricky's toy chest. In only a few minutes’ just piles of clothing were left in Ricky's bedroom. Susan was keeping a close eye on what Julia had kept and noted a few items she would remove later.

Vehicle after vehicle, truck after truck were pulling up just outside the O'Hare residents. Julia was now in the basement with the female representative from the List medical supply company. Upstairs it sounded like a whirlwind of noisy activities were taking place and that is what was indeed happening! Not only was Ricky's bedroom being remodeled but the upstairs main bathroom as well. The bathroom that was part of the master bedroom was untouched, only a few things were being added unknown to the occupants of the house. Miniature cameras for surveillance as well as tiny listening devices were being placed professionally and well concealed. There would not be any area of the house that was not covered by these devices. These were so small and technically advanced that no one outside of the corporation or elite military trained persons would be able to detect them.

The basement was now being converted and Julia returned upstairs only to see Ricky's room being transformed. The hallway had pretty white furniture and other things stacked up against one wall all lined up and also into both the master bedroom and Terry's room as well. Plastic sheeting was tacked up covering the doorway into Ricky's room as workmen and the electricians had removed most of the wall coverings, just the bare wood once hidden was showing. All the sheetrock had been removed. A big vacuum was being used to remove the dust and small debris. There was nothing more she could protect or save for Ricky. She had to trust Susan's word that they would take nothing that was not to be replaced by something else. She would have to hope that they would keep there promise that the items that they did remove would be put into storage and not destroyed or given away to others.

Julia gathered her purse, the diaper bag, a doll for Terry and left for Rita's house. She had tears in her eyes both from sorrow and anger.

****

Bill holding a now sleeping Ricky entered Rita's home following close behind her. The house was quiet which was rare and rarer still knowing that two girls were supposed to be here. Rita held her finger to her lips which Kept Bill from saying anything or making any unnecessary noise as he laid Ricky down on Rita's couch. Rita slowly and quietly made her way upstairs to Dorothy's room. Nobody was in there so she went to her room and that was when she saw them. They were both in the window looking out and Terry had a pair of binoculars she was looking through. Rita knew what they were looking at; it wasn't that long ago she was doing that very same thing. That is, looking at the O'Hare's house. The kids must have seen the binoculars still next to the window and decided to see what they could see. Rita coughed and both the girl's jumped and screeched! Rita chuckled at their reaction.

"What are you two girl's up to? Never mind I already know."

"Mommy, there are a ton of people over at Terry's house! What are they doing over their?"

"Dorothy, you have been watching their every move so you already know most of it don't you?"

"Well, yah, but we don't know what they are doing inside the house, just what we can see through the upstairs windows. It looks like they are rebuilding Ricky's room, but why?"

Terry had to find out something as well and joined in.

"Mrs. Wood, did my Mommy and Daddy buy all that neat stuff? I saw so many trucks and another one just pulled up. It's from the store my Mommy and me gets most of my clothes at!"

"Terry, why don't you ask your Daddy, he is downstairs as I bet you already knew?"

"Mrs. Wood, my Mommy is coming over to, I can see her walking down the sidewalk."

Sure enough, shortly after Terry, Dorothy and Rita came downstairs there was a knock at the front door. Julia came in as Terry ran to her and hugged her legs. Julia handed Terry her doll and gave her a kiss. Rita quickly got things organized as she had the children go back upstairs to "watch the house" while Julia, Bill and she went into the kitchen for coffee and tea. The children wanted to ask and have answered a ton of their questions but they would have to wait a little longer for that.

Rita began making tea and coffee as Julia and Bill sat at the table.

"Julia, we have to be at P&WA 8:00 tomorrow morning for a meeting. We don’t have a choice in this matter. We will also need my tux and a formal for you. We are going out to dine at the club for a dinner in our honor." Bill gave an angry chuckle after saying this.

"We need to bring Ricky and Terry with us and they will be looked after while we are busy. I don’t like it, but if we leave the children here I think the corporation will just have them picked up anyway. I think it would be best to have them with us as often as possible don’t you?"

"Yes Bill, we need to keep as much control as we can manage. I just feel so damn helpless and that scares me a lot. How can anyone or anything exert so much power and influence? This so-called corporation is way to powerful. Shit, they control the whole damned town!"

"Julia, they control far more than that. I am sorry now for ever excepting a position from them at P&WA. I had no idea that they would do something like this. There is a much bigger reason than just Ricky becoming festival Queen. It has to be the rare condition you told me about Ricky being mostly a she physically and chemically. I know how P&WA conducts their research and how they observe and document. I think that is what is happening right now to us. We as well as Ricky are now research subjects to be studied and observed."

Rita’s phone rang just then and Rita answered it only to turn to Bill and say it was for him.

"Hello?"

"Bill?"

"Yes, what is it now?"

"Bill, Mr. Jackson has decided to get you a tux and your wife a formal gown. This of course includes all the accessories and undergarments so don’t you worry about having to go back to the house this evening. Mr. Jackson is sending a car to pick your family up and bring you all to the city. There you will have a hotel suite at the Hilton. He also is having appropriate clothing sent over for the little ones. Enjoy your stay at the Hilton and we will see you in the morning Bill." The phone went dead and Bill hung it up.

"Julia, could you go upstairs and get Terry? They are sending a car over that is going to bring us to the Hilton in the city. They have provided the things we will need even the tux and the formal for you as well as everything else. They also have provided for the children’s clothing. We won’t be returning to our home until day after tomorrow."

"Shit Bill! We don’t have a say in anything anymore!"

"Honey, we have to stay strong for the kids and also to keep as much control as we can manage. We have to stay alert and observant for any breaks we can get. I haven’t given up hope and we can play this game as well. We take our own notes and observe them. We see what they are seeing and look for what they are looking for. Then we stand a better chance of regaining some control over all this."

Julia rose and only nodded at her husband as Rita poured the coffee for Bill and tea for Julia and herself. Julia went to the stairs and called for Terry to come down. She went into the living room and looked at the sleeping Ricky. He was so beautiful and she now wished he was born plain and homely. To late for stupid wishes she said to herself and returned to the kitchen.

The two girl’s Terry and Dorothy were telling Rita and Bill all about what was happening at the house.

 

 

 

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© 2002 by Angel O'Hare. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all articles, text, images, logos, compilation design) may printed for personal use only. No portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or otherwise made available without express written consent of the copyright holder.