The Visit

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Chapter Three The Interview and Revelation

For the rest of that day I still couldn't get what Tex had done off my mind. It actually left an imprint on my heart, and I wanted to do something else to make it up to him. Thinking it over, I'd finally come up with one good solution. But it would have to
wait until he was out of the picture, and I was alone.

That opportunity finally came when Tex went in the kitchen to fix us something to eat. Immediately I had Scuzz round everybody up, and tell them to meet me in my room. Within the next fifteen minutes, Vipra walked in first, followed by Sandstorm, Thunderstick, and about five dingos. "You call us?" Vipra asked rather confused."Yes. Could you close the door?" I asked, watching as Sandstorm pressed the button behind him.

"So. . ." Sandstorm said in a low voice. "What's the problem?"

"Oh, nothing. . .nothing. It's just that. . .Did ya'll know that tomorrow was Tex's birthday?" I watched as Vipra and Sandstorm looked from themselves back to me with surprise.

"No. . .We not know at all."

Right away Scuzz's eyes widened, and he quickly tugged on my arm. "Miss Carla, boss said he don't want anyone to know!"

"Oh come on. Lighten up! I don't think he'll mind them finding out." Peevishly Scuzz puffed on his cigar, then snapped, "Hah! After the way he fuss at me, me wants no part of it!"

"Whatever you say. . ." I shrugged as Vipra sat down across from me.
"What do you want to do?"
Thinking for a moment, I said, "I thought about maybe throwing Tex a little bash, you know. Sort of like a get together?" Right away I could tell by the enthusiastic looks on their faces that they were impressed with my idea. Especially Scuzz.

"Oooh! Oooh!" He choked out, "Me wants in! Scuzz know how to bake cake!"
"You do?" I asked rather surprised.
"Yup. Sure do. It's be my specialty!" Peering down at him, I folded my arms.
"Made the way he eats it, right?" Catching on, Scuzz chuckled and said.

"Right. In chocolate, with no roots, or bugs!" Laughing at him, I reached down and shook his furry hand. "In that case. . .you got yourself a deal!"

The minute I said that, the doors slid open and Tex walked in rather surprised to see such an assembly in my room. I especially noticed the peculiar way he stared at the dingos. Peering towards me, he asked, "What's going on here? Did I miss somethin?"

Caught off guard, I stuttered, "Uh, no Tex. They just wanted to talk to me. That's all." By the skeptical look on his face, I could tell he didn't believe me.

"Hmph, must be some conversation ta have dingo's in here, who oughta know by now that the rooms are off limits!" Right away Vipra cut off,

"Now Tex. . .Why you so suspicious? We know how you are. When cooking, you say, "Get out of way!" Peering at her, he nodded.
"That's right."
"Well?" Playfully glaring at her, he mocked,
"Well? I came ta say it's done!"
"Great. . ." I said full of enthusiasm. "What are we having?"
"Beef stew. . ." He proudly boasted.

Feeling my stomach beginning to growl, I said, "Well, if it's as good as your chili I can't wait to try it."
"Yeah, me too." Scuzz said, as he and the others quickly began to head for the door.
"Well I figured ya would. But ya know the drill if ya eat my food, right?" Tex said, glancing at them in a firm manner. Now simultaneously, Vipra, Sandstorm, and Scuzz all stopped in their tracks, rolled their eyes to the ceiling, and tonelessly muttered out,

"We eat your cooking. . .we do your dishes, understood?" Struck funny over their sarcastic retort, Tex began to laugh at them, which only irritated them more. Teasingly elbowing me, he mocked,

"Ya see that? I even got um trained!" As he walked out ahead of us, Scuzz peevishly hissed through his teeth. "Hmph! Maybe me oughta add a little somthin to his cake after all!"

Day Four
The following morning around ten o'clock, I managed to persuade Tex into taking me as far away from the Hexagon as possible. When he asked why, I simply reminded him that I still owed him an interview! And sensing how personal it was going to get, he was more than happy to oblige, not wanting his private issues to be exposed in front of all his cronies!

Bringing along my laptop, the two of us sped off, heading through what was the complete run of Ambush Canyon. And after a while, I began to understand why this place had such reputation for the most hold ups. The canyons and cliffs seemed to go on for miles, with no end in sight. Coming around every jagged corner, you never knew if there would be somebody waiting to rob you, or stick you up. In my case, I knew I had nothing to worry about. After all, I was with the head of the bunch! As we continued to ride on, I noticed that the canyons began to widen, opening up into scenery that was breathtaking.

There enclosed in a circle foothills and mountain peaks was an enormous lake, with waters so clear that they were almost an emerald in color. As we pulled alongside the sandy red shoreline, I could feel the spray from the surf hit against my face. "Wow. . ." I whispered, as Tex helped me off the Skullwalker. "This place is beautiful."

"I know," he said, watching as a flock of birds flew overhead. "They call it Canyon Gully."
"A gully?" I asked, rather curious. "Isn't this a little big for that?"

"When it's the only body of water on the entire planet? No. I come out here a lot when I wanna be alone. You know, just ta think things through." Playfully looking at me he shook his head, then added, "But I never thought the day would come where I'd be here for an interview!"

Interview I: My one on one with Tex
Carla: "Ok, Tex. I think the first question on everybody's mind is, "How long
have you been an outlaw?"

Tex: "Whoa. That's a good one," he said, leaning back and thinking on it. "Hmm. I'd say it'd be going on twenty years.."

Carla: "Wow! Do you enjoy what you do?"

Tex: "Oh definitely! I wouldn't have it any other way! Besides, I just love giving the Marshall a hard time!" (Referring to Marshall Bravestarr!)

Shaking my head, I chuckled. "Well, were you always like this?" After some hesitancy, Tex then answered, "No. At one time I was very different. But I had to come here ta change."

Carla: "Which brings me to the second question. Is there anything about earth that you miss?
Tex: Hmm. Honestly? I gotta say. . .cold weather. Clouds in the sky. . .And the smell of rain fallin. (Cocks his head.) Do you realize I haven't felt a raindrop in twenty years?"

Carla: Are you serious?

Tex: Sure am. We have no rain here. Only springs underground. (Sighs) What I wouldn't give to feel raindrops on my face just one more time. (In a playful way I replied,)

Carla: Well. I could always splash some cold water on you." (Gives me a playful glare.) Tex: Very funny. . .But it ain't the same. (Chuckling, I asked,)

Carla: Well. . .aside from that, is there anything else? (Tex stared straight ahead as though debating an answer. Thereafter he sighed heavily and nodded.)

Tex: "Yeah. . .my kinfolk. . ."

Carla: Oh? Who? (I asked very intrigued.)

Tex: My sister. When I left. . .she was just a kid, ya know? But now. . .she'd actually be around your age. (Shaking his head he muttered) And definitely not a kid anymore. . ."

Carla: Is there anyone else? (I boldly pried, beginning to sense his mounting sadness.)

Tex: Yeah. . .My parents. They didn't want me ta come here, but they told me ta do what I thought was right. They were always so supportive. Especially my mother. She. . .she was kinda sick when left, and they're pretty old, by now. It's been so long since I've seen them, I don't even know if they're alive or dead."

Now he hesitated, as a marred expression crept over his face. Thrown off by his unexpected reaction, I could feel myself getting upset too.

Carla: "Tex. . ." (I asked, trying to stay focused.) "If it bothers you so much, then how come you haven't attempted to go back to earth just to see if their alright?"

Tex: "Because. . .I'm a prisoner here. . .that's why. And besides. . .there's no way I could face them. . .Not now. . ." Loudly clearing his throat, he looked away from me and muttered,

"Stop. . ."

Interview paused. . .
Greatly concerned, I got on the side of him and asked, "Tex, what's wrong?"

"Nothin. . ." he muttered, trying to regain his composer. "It's just. . .I didn't think it was gonna be like this. . ."

"Like what?" I gently pressed.
"Ya know. . .so personal. . ." Shrugging I carefully replied,
"Well. . that's how interviews are, Tex. They're supposed to be personal. But if it's too much for you to handle. . .we can always quit."

Put on the spot Tex immediately stiffened, as though his pride was on the line.

"What? And disappoint a bunch of nosy, meddlin people?" he mimed, as I fought to keep a straight face. Seeing right through it, Tex defiantly folded his arms and snapped, "I don't think so! Come on. Let's get this over with!"

Interview continued. . .
Carla: Alright. Another question I think a lot of people want to know including myself is. . .your age, birthday boy." Now I looked into the mic and said, "Yeah you heard it right, ladies and gentleman. Today's the man's birthday! Is this perfect timing or what?" I said as he began to chuckle at me. "So are you going to tell these nice people how old you really are, are what?"

Slowly he leaned forward and asked in an almost mischievous manner,
"Well, how old do I look?"

Now I leaned back and studied him rather intently, almost afraid to say what I really thought. Grinning at the way he smirked at me, I said, "Well. If I didn't know you, I'd say you were about seventy years old. But," I added as he folded his arms, "You're no where near that age."

Rather impressed, Tex nodded then replied, "True. I turned fifty-three today. . . But wait a minute. How'd you know that?"

Carla: "Through research. You're full name is Tex Theodore Montgomery, and you're from San Antonio, Texas." I said, as he rolled his eyes with embarrassment.

"You graduated from high school, and went on to technical collage, with four degrees. Two in computer science, and two in computer electronics. You also graduated at the top of your class, right before you left for New Texas." Boldly I found myself leaning toward Tex, until I was looking him dead in the eyes. "You're a very, very smart person."

Taken aback, Tex could only sit in a stunned silence. Thereafter he slowly began to come to his senses. "I'm sorry I asked!" he replied, now gazing at me with suspicion. "Research, huh? It sounds more like ya been spyin ta me!"

Carla: "Oh no, Tex. I'd never spy on you. As a reporter, this was all part of my job."

Tex: "Oh, yeah? Then where did ya get all that personal information? Ya had ta dig it up somewhere!" Marveling at him, I shook my head and asked,

Carla: "Tex. . .Don't you ever surf the internet?" Cocking his head with some sarcasm, he said, "Not really. . .I have other things ta do besides prowl the web! Sides. . .In case you forgot. . .I don't have earth access!" This in turn caused me to gaze at him very seriously. "Well. . .I do. . ." I said, patting my lap top.

"And if you want, I could show you where it all come from."

Tex: "From all the way out here?"

Carla: "Well, sure. I'm wireless. Plus being a reporter gives me access. Full galactic access." I stressed, watching as an impressed look crossed over his face. "So. Do you want to see it, or not?" Staring from it to me, Tex's eyes slowly narrowed.
"Sure. . .Why not?"

Interview paused. . .
Anxious to get started, the two of us had gotten out of the sun, and were sitting under a huge shade tree. Within minutes I'd logged onto the web and took him directly to the register of the top twenty outlaws in the galaxy. Tex was number five on the list! Clicking onto his name, one of the first things he saw was his own
digital mug shot! This was followed by a detailed profile of his background, containing the same information I'd just given him. Marveling at himself, his head slowly began to shake.

"I don't believe it." He muttered, under his breath. "Number five? That's not bad at all." Chuckling from the nerve of his statement, I shook my head and replied,

"You think that's something? Wait till you see this." Now I clicked onto the second page, where he then saw a much younger version of himself in his early thirties. Mouth falling open, Tex's head slowly began to shake.

"Why. . .that's my drivers license!"

"I know. . ."

"B-But. . .how? I mean. . .It's been so long. How could this still be active?"

"Tex. . ." I interrupted. "These records will be active as long as you're still alive. I'll bet you anything the Marshall has a copy of this."

Giving me a peevish glare, he snapped, "Oh, you think so?"

"I know so. Just say you'd ever decide to high tail it off the planet. . ." Letting out a sarcastic scoff, he muttered, "That'll never happen. . ."

"But just say it did. . ." I continued, "New Texas would issue a warrant out for you, and they'd know exactly who they were looking for. But it wouldn't be nescarcerry, because you're already popular as it is. . .Especially on Earth."

"Really?" he asked rather surprised.

"Why yes! Think about it. You're a well-known outlaw, but started off as a settler from earth. Don't you think you'd have a connection somewhere?" Deep in thought, Tex replied, "Ta be honest, I never really gave it much thought."

"Well. . .anything big that happens out here, we know about it down there."
"Everything?"
"Everything. . ." I stressed, watching as he gave me a precarious look. "And I'll give you an example. Take the Christmas incident a year ago. . ."

For a minute, it seemed as though Tex's entire countenance dropped. Eyes widening, he swallowed hard and gaped at me. "What?" he muttered in a low voice. Beginning to feel just a little uneasy, I calmly said, "You know. . .the time where you saved the entire town from Stampedes attack. That didn't just make the web. . .it made the headlines."

Shaking his head, Tex looked like he wanted to say something, but the words just wouldn't come out. Seeing this told me that I'd crossed a very sensitive line. Wanting to be as tactful as possible, I replied, "I guess it was so major because of the day it happened, and because everybody wanted to know, including me. . ." Feeling very bold I dared to pry. "Why did you do it, Tex?" Now I watched as his troubled glance slowly shifted in my direction.

By the way his arms slowly folded, I could tell he didn't like being pressured. Glaring at me, he asked, "Why ya so anxious ta know? So you can exploit that too?!"

"No. . ." I defensively replied, "It'll be off the record. I was just curious, that's all." Still rather edgy, Tex fussed, "Well. . .I ain't never told nobody! Not even my own gang!" Although surprised by that information, I asked,
"Well. . .wouldn't you feel better if you told a stranger?"

Head cocking at me, Tex playfully mimed. "You're not a stranger."
Looking away from me, he blew out a heavy sigh then hesitated, as though trying to find the right words. Staring straight ahead, he weakly blurted out,

"I did it. . .for a woman."

"What?" I asked, not believing what I just heard. Rolling his eyes with frustration, Tex repeated, "I said. . .I did it for a woman. Someone who I was engaged to a long time ago. . ." By the way he paused, I could tell the pain was still hidden just under the surface. Clearing his throat, he continued, "We'd been together for about a year, and had a real good relationship. But the only setback was that we were broke. That's why when the news of the kerium rush come ta earth, I jumped at the idea. All I wanted ta do was take care of her, and give her the best of everythin. That's all." He whispered, giving me a look of utmost sincerity. "But she knew better and begged me not to go. Eursala knew she'd never see me again. And like my folks, she was right. Because for me, up until last Christmas, it had been 18 years."

"Whoa. . ." I whispered, under my breath. "So what happened?"

"Well. . .ya heard about me stoppin Stampede from attackin the town. But. . .what ya don't know is, I'm the one who planned it. Not him! He took over, as usual!" Although surprised by this bit of information, I didn't say anything but continued to listen in. "The night before, the Shaman, of all people had the nerve ta come in my room, and nab me against my will!" Completely enthralled, I asked,

"Wow. . .where did he take you?" Pausing once again, Tex slowly answered,

"Through different times and events of my life, seein things that I would've rather not seen." By the way he dolefully stared ahead, I already knew the answer.

"You mean, with her?"

"Yeah. I found out that um. . .she ended up comin ta New Texas after all. Chances are, she was lookin for me. I don't think she would've recognized me, cause by then I'd been transformed. And the worst part of it was during that time, I'd committed a huge robbery on a stratostage that was leavin Fort Kerium, and headin towards a smaller settlement. Carla. . .she was on the stage, and I never knew."

Gasping with shock, I whispered, "Oh, no. . ." Sighing, he chuckled and muttered,

"Oh, yeah. . ." Full of turmoil, Tex stood to his feet and began to walk towards the beach. Getting up, I slowly made my way to the side of him, watching as he stared out at the lake. Sensing I was there, he muttered, "I was miserable. . .She could've been killed." Sighing, he added, "I mean, I might be a horrible person, but. . .I never stopped loving her. And that made it even worse, when I found out that she would be in Fort Kerium on Christmas." Completely stunned, I watched as he stared at the sandy ground. "I. . .I didn't know what ta think. I mean. . .I was so disgusted that everythin was blowin up in my face. But for the first time ever, I was also scared. Cause. . .I didn't want ta hurt her, or risk her life a second time. So. . .I done somethin about it. And I paid. . ." He stressed, letting out a painful chuckle. "Boy did I pay. . ."

Noticing the way his voice cracked, I caught the unexpected sight of tears gleaming in his eyes. Seeing this moved me so much, that I just had to say something. This caused me to slowly approach until I was inches away from his side. "Tex. . ." I whispered, "I think without a doubt, that is the most romantic story I've ever heard." Eyes widening, he turned and looked at me over his shoulder.

"What?"

"It's true. . ." I said as he faced me. "You haven't seen her in nearly twenty years, yet you stopped and risked everything just to save her life. All because you still cared for her. Do you have any idea how noble that was?" Looking away from him, I found myself chuckling, "In some ways, I think I'm jealous. Because I know no man will ever go out of his way for me like that. . ."

Now I looked back up to find Tex staring at me as though completely spellbound from my words. Then slowly his look softened, as though thinking about what I said. Gazing into my eyes, he quietly replied, "That's cause ya ain't found the right one yet. . ." For a minute, we seemed lost in each others glance. That is, until he looked away and cleared his throat. "Um. . .dusk is falling, and maybe we oughta postpone the rest of that interview for later. The last thing ya need is ta be caught out here with me in the dark. . ."

"Why not?" I impulsively asked. "I trust you. . ." Giving me a very serious glance, Tex playfully muttered, "Yeah, you would. But, come on, anyhow.

To be Continued