DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters created by Alexander Key and
owned by Walt Disney Pictures. This is fan fiction, and not endorsed by
Mr. Key, his estate, or Walt Disney. No copyright infringement is
intended, and no money is being made from this story. It is based on plot
elements used in both the book Escape to Witch Mountain as well as the
movie of the same name, although the book and the movie differ extensively.
Please direct all queries, comments, etc. to kevinpkhaynes@yahoo.com. It
is my sincere desire that you enjoy the story as the pure entertainment it
was intended to be.
LIFE ON WITCH MOUNTAIN
By Kevin Haynes
CHAPTER 7
Tony found himself awake at about 10:00. He was too excited to sleep any longer, and he had never been one to oversleep. Even as a young boy at Granny Malone's house, he was up before she was and ready for school. That really impressed her, because she had grown up on a farm and was always up before sunrise to tend to the chores. Even after moving to the city, she kept rising early, but never as early as Tony.
Many years later Tony learned why this was true. His people had an internal connection to nature around them, and since time, as humans understand it, is simply the measurement of the progress of nature - sun, moon, stars, and seasons - Homedwellers had an internal way to measure the passage of time (or "events," as they called it), and usually didn't need a timepiece to arise at a certain time or be on time for something.
After a quick shower and a simple breakfast of grains and fruit, Tony grabbed his canvases and his bag and headed out. The sun was shining, the air was warm, and there were people everywhere. He was amazed - he had lived in a city in North Carolina, but it wasn't this big. Of course, few cities on earth could compare with New York City, but despite all he had seen and read, being among this many people was just mind-boggling.
He found a corner where he could set up. He had passed others selling watches and jewelry, some selling art and shirts and wall hangings, and others playing music for donations or just sitting with their hands out waiting for money. He tried to find an area where others were plying their trade (so he could be sure that area would allow it) but far enough away that there wouldn't be much competition.
As soon as he placed a few of his paintings along the wall behind him, people began to stop and look. He had been told by other Homedwellers that his paintings really attracted attention, but he had never seen the reaction himself. It made him feel really good inside to know that people admired his talent. He also set a sign up that said, "Paintings - Make offer." While he would be living on the money he made selling his paintings, he also had money to live on in case he didn't make much. Uncle Bené and the other Homedwellers had decided that was best, since those on assignment weren't there to make money but to find other Homedwellers. They had decided to set up an account at the bank that Homedwellers on assignment could tap into when needed. So he didn't care how much people gave him for his art - as long as they paid what they felt it was worth, he would accept it and use it for his needs.
He then set up his easel and a blank canvas and got his palette out. He would do some actual painting while on the street as well. It would give him an excuse to observe activities and to watch people. Passersby wouldn't get angry at him for staring if they thought he was painting them. And that would allow him to notice anything he might need to.
Attached to his easel was a wooden holder for business cards. He had some business cards made that simply said, "Tony - Artist." There was no address or phone number to put on it, so in the remaining space he had the double-star emblem. It was identical to the logo for Home, and the same image on the star cases each Homedweller had when they arrived on earth. He wasn't sure if any of the Homedwellers that had landed here many years ago would have star cases or know about the emblem, but it would be a huge lead if anyone recognized it.
Over the course of the first few days Tony kept busy. Since he was a new face, people that had been passing that way every day in their commute or daily business were very interested. He had had to replenish his business cards three times, but no one had commented on the emblem yet. He had sold all of the paintings he brought with him, and had made over $100. He had used that to buy more canvases, brushes and paint, and had painted several new paintings since he had arrived.
He had begun to notice patterns in some people's behavior. He had always been fairly observant, and had become even more so during his years at New Home. He recognized the cars and pedestrians that passed by him at the same time each day. He knew when businesses would close for lunch, or for the day. He even memorized the schedule of the few police he saw - they always seemed to come by at the same time during the day.
While his senses had been on full alert (as much as possible while he was painting), he hadn't "picked up" anything. He didn't know if he'd be able to sense a Homedweller that way, but it sure would make it easier if he could! But so far, he had come up empty handed. During his nightly reports to Uncle Bené he had started to sound discouraged. He wasn't sure why - he couldn't have expected to have completed his three-year assignment in three days! But having always been a quick learner, he thought he would at least have some leads by now.
Uncle Bené and Aunt Bri were so kind to him. They understood his frustration, but did try to caution him about his perception of his progress. Finding Homedwellers took time, and he had plenty of that. What he needed now was patience. He smiled as he realized how right they were. He had never been very patient.
He thought he had prepared for everything, and was ready for any contingency. The one thing he should have expected, but didn't, was to be robbed.
LIFE ON WITCH MOUNTAIN
By Kevin Haynes
CHAPTER 7
Tony found himself awake at about 10:00. He was too excited to sleep any longer, and he had never been one to oversleep. Even as a young boy at Granny Malone's house, he was up before she was and ready for school. That really impressed her, because she had grown up on a farm and was always up before sunrise to tend to the chores. Even after moving to the city, she kept rising early, but never as early as Tony.
Many years later Tony learned why this was true. His people had an internal connection to nature around them, and since time, as humans understand it, is simply the measurement of the progress of nature - sun, moon, stars, and seasons - Homedwellers had an internal way to measure the passage of time (or "events," as they called it), and usually didn't need a timepiece to arise at a certain time or be on time for something.
After a quick shower and a simple breakfast of grains and fruit, Tony grabbed his canvases and his bag and headed out. The sun was shining, the air was warm, and there were people everywhere. He was amazed - he had lived in a city in North Carolina, but it wasn't this big. Of course, few cities on earth could compare with New York City, but despite all he had seen and read, being among this many people was just mind-boggling.
He found a corner where he could set up. He had passed others selling watches and jewelry, some selling art and shirts and wall hangings, and others playing music for donations or just sitting with their hands out waiting for money. He tried to find an area where others were plying their trade (so he could be sure that area would allow it) but far enough away that there wouldn't be much competition.
As soon as he placed a few of his paintings along the wall behind him, people began to stop and look. He had been told by other Homedwellers that his paintings really attracted attention, but he had never seen the reaction himself. It made him feel really good inside to know that people admired his talent. He also set a sign up that said, "Paintings - Make offer." While he would be living on the money he made selling his paintings, he also had money to live on in case he didn't make much. Uncle Bené and the other Homedwellers had decided that was best, since those on assignment weren't there to make money but to find other Homedwellers. They had decided to set up an account at the bank that Homedwellers on assignment could tap into when needed. So he didn't care how much people gave him for his art - as long as they paid what they felt it was worth, he would accept it and use it for his needs.
He then set up his easel and a blank canvas and got his palette out. He would do some actual painting while on the street as well. It would give him an excuse to observe activities and to watch people. Passersby wouldn't get angry at him for staring if they thought he was painting them. And that would allow him to notice anything he might need to.
Attached to his easel was a wooden holder for business cards. He had some business cards made that simply said, "Tony - Artist." There was no address or phone number to put on it, so in the remaining space he had the double-star emblem. It was identical to the logo for Home, and the same image on the star cases each Homedweller had when they arrived on earth. He wasn't sure if any of the Homedwellers that had landed here many years ago would have star cases or know about the emblem, but it would be a huge lead if anyone recognized it.
Over the course of the first few days Tony kept busy. Since he was a new face, people that had been passing that way every day in their commute or daily business were very interested. He had had to replenish his business cards three times, but no one had commented on the emblem yet. He had sold all of the paintings he brought with him, and had made over $100. He had used that to buy more canvases, brushes and paint, and had painted several new paintings since he had arrived.
He had begun to notice patterns in some people's behavior. He had always been fairly observant, and had become even more so during his years at New Home. He recognized the cars and pedestrians that passed by him at the same time each day. He knew when businesses would close for lunch, or for the day. He even memorized the schedule of the few police he saw - they always seemed to come by at the same time during the day.
While his senses had been on full alert (as much as possible while he was painting), he hadn't "picked up" anything. He didn't know if he'd be able to sense a Homedweller that way, but it sure would make it easier if he could! But so far, he had come up empty handed. During his nightly reports to Uncle Bené he had started to sound discouraged. He wasn't sure why - he couldn't have expected to have completed his three-year assignment in three days! But having always been a quick learner, he thought he would at least have some leads by now.
Uncle Bené and Aunt Bri were so kind to him. They understood his frustration, but did try to caution him about his perception of his progress. Finding Homedwellers took time, and he had plenty of that. What he needed now was patience. He smiled as he realized how right they were. He had never been very patient.
He thought he had prepared for everything, and was ready for any contingency. The one thing he should have expected, but didn't, was to be robbed.