Chapter Forty – 'Moonlit sonata'

"Well, it seems like we are in for a wild ride." Ned remarked. "Why would you help us? Wouldn't your objective be to make the game as hard as possible making it easier for Burns to win?"

"I don't know if what I told you is necessarily helping you." The purple hologram replied. "I'm just giving you the foundation to make your own decisions. In the end, we are just holograms and will go with the flow whatever it turns out to be."

"I don't like the sound of this..." Moe conceded. "This game is going to get a lot worse before it gets better."

The MyPad started to flash in Ned's hand but no one noticed. The game was unfrozen without the standard Burns announcement as the escalator they were standing on started to move. Moe descended with the stairs until Ned reached over and hit the emergency stop pushbutton, stopping Moe a few feet away. Ned tried to step down onto the first step but hit an invisible wall.

"It seems the game is now unfrozen and it's your turn Ned." The purple hologram filled them in on the current status. "Just remember, it always gets better after..." The hologram faded before finishing its thought.

"Always gets better after what?" Moe asked.

"Beats me. But if we keep playing we may find out." Ned commented.

A loud buzzing overcame them inside the mall followed by the squeal of distorted feedback then silence. The buzzing returned at a lower volume followed by a voice. "You may continue with the game. We are devising a plan to come help..."

"That voice sounded familiar... Kent Brockman...?" Moe questioned.

"Disregard that last massage." A different stern voice came over the loudspeaker.

"That was definitely Burns." Moe added. "Anyways, you should take your turn, so we can all continue this game. I'll see you around." It was a sad moment Moe didn't know what awaited them or if he would see Ned again.

Ned extended his hand but hit the invisible wall again. "I guess a gentleman's handshake or high five is out of the question." The gears turned in his head, but he came up with nothing. "I guess this is see you later, friend." Ned lifted the MyPad and pressed the roll icon. The usual loud booms shook the building, but no one seemed to notice anymore. "Seven. If you roll a seven I'll see you shortly." He pulled out the emergency stop pushbutton and Moe slowly descended along with the escalator out of sight.

The mall was silent except for the soft music playing as background noise. The game was back on and it was time for Ned to continue his journey.

"Small problem though..." He scratched his head. "I don't remember which entrance my iron is parked at. This could be a problem for continuing." Ned thought out loud.

He returned to the escalator, but Moe and Artie Ziff had disappeared. There was no sign of them anywhere.

Ned was stumped on how to continue his turn. The MyPad vibrated in an impatient sort of way. "I... I'm sorry. I'm a little lost..." He retraced his steps for a minute until he saw it. The lights on the third floor dim with a single spotlight illuminating a mall directory. Ned was a little confused. "Is the game trying to help me?"

It was an ordinary mall directory as Ned approached it. There were three floors displayed and a 'You are here' sticker to show him in front of the directory. "This would be helpful if I was looking for a ladies' boutique to buy a birthday present for Maude, but I need to find my iron so I can leave."

He traced the outline of the third floor with his finger until he saw a sticker of an iron outside the north entrance.

"Found it... and if I keep walking the same direction, I'll see the doors. Thank you." Ned looked toward the ceiling and pointed as this was a sign from above, but another voice interrupted his thanks.

"This wasn't your almighty... this was me. My eyelids grow heavy and I tire of watching you roam around aimlessly. The game must continue while I sleep. Wake me on the fourth dice roll." The familiar voice announced.

"In any case, shall we continue..." Ned memorized a path to his token and followed it to find the iron parked in the parking garage were the directory said it would be. "Praise be to..." The words escaped him as a spotlight illuminated his iron as well. "Is this another sign from above?" Flanders wondered as he jumped on top of his token and began traveling to his next location.

The iron proceeded down the parking garage spiral which almost made Ned dizzy when they first came to the property, except this time the iron slowed down to half its original speed. Ned appreciated it as he began to close his eyes as well.

"This game, and especially the exploration, is getting exhausting. Maybe I have time for a nap between properties." He wedged his MyPad into the handle of the iron and rested his head on his shoulder. Thinking gentle thoughts, his eyes closed.

A cool evening breeze greeted him to the joy of traveling on the open road. The iron knew where it was going and merged from the parking garage access road onto the highway which was relatively empty after dark. The headlights of other vehicles lit the road enough for the imperfections in the pavements to be seen. Ned relaxed and took a quick nap as the iron shifted lanes and accelerated to pass the other traffic.

Eventually, an exit marked by a wooden sign approached on the left and the iron veered to leave the highway. Now the road was lit by the full moon above and the further from the interstate they ventured, the less the road was paved. Asphalt gave way to gravel which gave way to dirt.

A large lake appeared in the distance and consumed the entire horizon. It formed a dead end as the iron approached the water which wrapped around on all sides in the shape of an ever-expanding horseshoe. A single cabin was positioned in the center of the lake with a concrete sidewalk leading from the mailbox to the front door. It was an isolationist's dream.

Ned awoke when the iron stopped beside the mailbox and declared his current position. "You have arrived at Atlantic Avenue." The usual animation of moving seven spaces displayed before going blank.

"That was fast. I must have fallen asleep." Ned replied to the MyPad as he stood up and stretched. "The lake looks so serene under the moonlight. Maybe after my turn, I can say a prayer and remember..." A tear streamed down his face as the memory of his late wife was too much. "I can always dedicate my game to you." He said toward the sky.

A few moments elapsed while he collected himself to focus on the main objective. Ned rubbed his eyes and took a deep breath before reading the name on the mailbox.

"Hermann's Supplies and Surplus." The name piqued his interest. "Well that makes sense. You have supplies and any excess supplies is a surplus. So why not just call it supplies." He shrugged and followed the sidewalk toward the door of the cabin.

A dimly lit candle shined in the window as if someone was home. Did they live in the supply store? Two hastily written pieces of paper were taped to the door. The top one read: 'For Sale' while the bottom one read: 'Store Hours from Sunrise to Sunset'.

"It appears I'm a few moments too late. I'll guess this can wait until morning." He took a step backward as the interior curtain moved then the door to the cabin slowly opened.

"Can I help you?" A voice called out for the dark cabin. "The stored is closed. If you need bait to try to catch General Sherman, there is a cooler out back with today's leftovers in it."

The door slowly shut as Flanders spoke up. "I'm not here to fish... I'm here to find a statue..."

"Why didn't you say so? Come on in." The door fully opened and the candle silhouetted the man. His entire body was visible except for his right arm. "I've been waiting for the game to come to my lake. The name is Hermann and it's a pleasure to meet you. Your name is..." He gave the invitation to Flanders.

"Ned Flanders and it's a pleasure to meet you." Ned extended his hand to shake Hermann's but that didn't happen. He noticed the problem.

"Lost it in the war. Doesn't stop me from selling hunting and fishing supplies to make a living. I don't get too many new faces around here unless they are trying to catch the legend. Around here, General Sherman rules the lake, but no one can actually catch him." He pointed to a picture beyond the counter with his good arm. "Legend has it, there is a thousand-pound behemoth known as General Sherman who lives in this lake. On a clear moonlit night, you can see across the lake and see a shadowy shape move through the water. That is General Sherman."

"So it's a fish." Ned gathered. "Is there a prize for catching it?"

"No." Hermann replied flatly.

"That's a bummer." Flanders tried to shift the conversation. "I don't see the statue inside your store. Is it hidden behind a display of fishing rods or in a rifle cabinet?"

"No..." Hermann replied softer. "When the statue was delivered, I had it delivered to the edge of the lake." Hermann motioned for Ned to follow him to a side window. "I had it set on the dock next to my little fishing boat. I came back in the store and sat down when I heard a loud noise outside. I ran back outside to the dock and the statue was gone..."

Ned thought then spoke. "Gone? But I need... what happens... that's quite the pickle we are in."

"I have a plan and now that you are here, I can work my plan." Hermann hinted at something, but Ned was clueless. He ducked behind a shelf and gathered some supplies. "Grab this lantern and rope." Hermann ordered Ned. "Moonlight over the lake and the smell of the low lying fog. Time to go and find it." He smiled for the first time tonight.

"The fish or the statue?" Ned asked.

"Possibly both." Hermann exited the cabin and held the door for Ned.

Hermann led Flanders down a narrow dirt path to a small wooden dock on the edge of the lake. A few boards needed replacing since it appeared the behemoth fish smashed the end of the dock. Hermann didn't need to explain what happened but it was fun to guess.

"So my theory is General Sherman was swimming at a high rate of speed, jumped out of the water, swallowed the statue, smashed apart my dock, and disappeared." It was quite the theory Hermann stated, but it seemed very plausible. "If we see the General... we will need another plan."

Ned thought there was a plan, but half a plan was better than no plan. They loaded the boat and pushed off from the dock.

The boat floated a few feet before Hermann started the motor. The landscape was silent until the hum of the motor took over. He turned the boat to face the expanse of the lake. Illuminated by the moonlight, he guided them into the center where the cabin shrank to a small speck on the horizon.

The moon reflected off the water as they stood up to search for the giant fish known as General Sherman. The water was still once the boat drifted to a complete stop.

"Any sign of the fish on the port side?" Hermann asked as he scouted out the starboard side.

"A whole lot of nothing." Ned countered. "I really need to find..." He was interrupted by Hermann shifting his weight and pointing with his available arm.

"There! That dark spot moved." Hermann cheered. "I think I see..." But before he could finish, the ambient light faded as a cloud drifted in front of the moon obscuring its light. The water turned almost black and camouflaged the once seen dark spot.

"I don't like the look of this." Ned said, but it was too late. Something large hit the hull of the boat, knocking them from their standing positions.

"Hold on!" Hermann shouted as another blow hit the boat. "It's trying to sink us. I'm going to start the motor." He jumped to the stern and pulled the string but the motor wouldn't start. He tried two more times than gave up as another blow threatened to break the boat in half.

Ned was scared this would be the end of more than just his game. "We succeeded in finding General Sherman. Any ideas now?"

There was no plan, just survive. The boat started to move as it was being pushed from behind. "Shine that lantern so we can see our way." Ned listened and held the lantern over the bow to warn them of incoming land. The boat slowly increased speed. "Where are we going?" Neither one knew but they would soon find out.

"I think I see something." Ned squinted and determined their destination was in sight. "Land!" He stretched his arm further to aid in landing the boat. "Hold on!"

The boat gradually slowed down as an opposite force was applied to the front of the boat like a rocket's reverse thruster. "Is the General... helping us?" Hermann stammered. The boat grounded on the shore next to several large rocks. "All ashore who's going ashore." Hermann announced before jumping out of the boat.

They turned back toward the lake as the single cloud cleared allowing the moonlight to resume. In a moment of pure surprise, General Sherman leaped out of the water like a dolphin and landing with a huge splash. Ned disembarked and tripped over a familiar looking rock. "The statue. It led us to the statue."

"It was helping." Hermann acknowledged. A tear filled his eye from the adventure they had in the lake. "What's the plan now?"

"I need help lifting the statue back on its feet." Ned struggled with his strength alone, but the strength of mostly two men lifted the statue. "Now the magic happens." He placed the MyPad into the hands of the stone statue and a glitchy green hologram appeared.

"Greetings... welcome to Atlantic... nue. This property... be purchased for two hundred sixty... with a fishing tour of... legend costing twenty-two dollars. This turn only... enacted a ten percent discount reducing... cost to two... thirty-four. Make... choice..." The hologram got through his staticky speech.

"Did we break it?" Hermann asked. "Or did the General break it?"

"The fish did." Ned felt bad for the hologram as it seemed to be on its final life. "Are you ok?"

"I'm fine, but the look on your face with priceless." The green hologram said without issue. "It takes more than a giant fish dragging a statue across a lake to defeat us." The smile the hologram produced was quite eerie. "As far as I know, there is no way to defeat us. Mr. S ensured that."

"Who?" Hermann questioned the hologram. "That's not a name I heard at the Mayor Meeting."

"It is a name I'm not aware of either." Ned added. "These holograms have been vague since we started this game."

"You will find out in due time. Now make your decision. The ten percent off sale expires at sunrise." The hologram pushed. Ned reached up and pressed the Buy icon and three pieces of paper printed. "Smart choice. Bon voyage." The green hologram disappeared as it did after every transaction.

Ned read the usual first two papers. One was his Title-deed for Atlantic Avenue and the other showed his previous one thousand forty dollars minus the two hundred thirty-four dollar purchase in red, resulting in a new balance of eight hundred six dollars. The third paper was the most cryptic paper yet: 'Late greetings – Mr. S'.

Hermann reached out where the hologram stood checking what made it work. "I could use some technology like that. My other store had a basic hologram projector, but this appears like advance military hardware."

"Supposedly Professor Frink built this world." Ned remembered from the beginning of the game. "But I don't know, Frink is only a scientist, not military."

"This looks too advanced for a scientist in my prior military opinion." Hermann knew some things no one else knew. "I can try to dismantle this statue and see what makes it tick. I just need help loading it into the boat."

One thought still bothered Ned. The game was progressing as anticipated, but who was this new person, Mr. S. He reread the paper as Hermann studied the statue up close.

"See anything?" Ned asked knowing the darkness of the night was not the ideal situation for this task.

"Nothing yet. Hand me the lantern." Hermann ordered. He poked and prodded the stone statue but nothing happened. "Hand me that black book." He pointed at Ned's MyPad and placed it into the hand of the statue. A blue hologram appeared this time.

"You know you cannot participate in the game itself." It reminded Hermann before disappearing.

"Forgot about that. They did mention that at the Mayor Meeting. Let's get this statue back to my cabin and you can help me disassemble it. We may be able to circumvent the rule of game players only using the statues." The gears were turning in Hermann's head until the obvious problem stopped him. "We need to transport this statue back to the cabin but my boat barely floats on its own. I need another plan."

Loud booms echoed across the sky with a hint of water splashing their feet.

"Your plan has arrived." Ned noticed the entrance of General Sherman as it waited next to the shore for them to react.

"It carried the statue out here, it can carry it back." Hermann looked directly at the General and watched as it grabbed the statue in its mouth and submerged under the moonlit lake. "Incredible." He pushed the boat into the water and jumped in. "Quickly, after that fish. I'll tell you another story about the General as we drive back to the cabin."

"Sounds like a plan." Ned agreed as he jumped in, and they followed the legend of General Sherman.