Having been held captive by "the creature" for nearly a week, along with being recaptured during the escape led by his deputy's son, Sheriff Pruitt needed some time to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder. Even after Joe led volunteers to rescue survivors from the lair, the typically stoic Pruitt continued to contemplate the ways he could have met his demise.
Jackson Lamb, who had become the de facto sheriff for Lillian and the surrounding area during the crisis, offered to continue working in such a capacity so that Pruitt could recover from his experience. He suggested it the first time he visited Pruitt in the hospital. On both sides, a stoic stubbornness informed the discussion that followed.
"Jack, you did more than enough. My sorry ass was in the creature's lair, and I couldn't get out to help. The least I can do is resume my duties, like nothing happened."
"But you need time to recover."
"Jack. Who handled a panicked populace, got arrested by his own country's military for trying to find out the truth about what happened, and escaped to look for his son?"
"We both went through hell. I know," Jack replied. "Look. Maybe we could share sheriff duties. Or it wouldn't even have to be me. Maybe somebody else in the department."
Pruitt nodded. "That might work. But remember, you need to spend some time with your boy. He's a brave young man, but he needs your guidance."
"I know."
"Then do that. We'll see how I feel."
Since the beginning of the school year, Pruitt had taken on weekend duties so that Jack could spend time with Joe. Whenever his son was home on Saturday nights, Jack and he would watch The Rockford Files at 10:00. With his son away at the diner, Jack settled into his easy chair with a bottle of Budweiser and a bag of chips, unsure of when Joe would come back.
Even though Jim Rockford was a private investigator in Los Angeles, Jack saw some affinities between himself and the character. Jack thought that he at least had the same easy demeanor, but wondered if he possessed the same charm and humor to handle potential adversaries. Thinking back to the events of June, Jack pondered how Rockford would have dealt with military authorities. Could he have figured out how to get them to cooperate with him and the other deputies, or even bluffed them in order to avoid imprisonment? If the same thing had happened to him, would Rockford have used the pretense of needing to take a piss as a ruse to attempt an escape? He allowed himself to smile a little at the possibility of how everything would have transpired.
Jack heard the front door open around 10:30, following by Joe sounding breathless as he rushed into the living room. "Dad! Dad?"
Jack got up from the chair and turned in Joe's direction. "What's the matter? Something happen?"
"Oh, yeah," Joe replied, barely able to contain his excitement. "I got some really, really good news."
"On a Saturday night? With your friends?"
"We won! We won the Super 8 film festival contest."
Jack stared at Joe for a moment. "The contest? You won?"
"Yeah! Charles got the letter saying so."
Jack took Joe's hand and shook it firmly. "Congratulations!" After thinking for another moment, he let go of Joe's hand and gave him a hug. "Just don't let it get to your head, Joe."
"I won't. But what's really awesome, not only did we win, but we get to go to New York to see a film premiere."
"What?" Jack let go of Joe. "You mean you're not going to Cleveland?"
"Well, that's part of it. Then we go to New York after we get the award."
Jack folded his arms. "New York City costs money, you know."
"It's okay. It's all expenses paid. And we need two chaperones to come along with us."
"Don't they know you have school?"
The excitement in Joe's voice had become more guarded. "Dad, I'll make up the homework. And I'm sure the school will be proud of us for our accomplishment."
Jack involuntarily shook his head. "I don't know about this."
"If it makes you feel better, you can be one of the chaperones, too."
Jack sighed and sat in his chair. "Look. We both have obligations. You have school. I have a job. An important job. I have to keep the people of Lillian safe."
"Dad, the creature was only here a week, and it left over two months ago. Besides, smoking pot is probably the worst problem around here."
"You want to see the town's crime statistics?" Jack asked edgily.
"No. I'm sorry. But, Sheriff Pruitt is back to work…"
"Sheriff Pruitt went through a lot. You saw what happened to him. Besides which, none of us who were around Lillian after the evacuation can tell what we saw. Like you, like me, he has been sworn to secrecy, under threat of federal offense. I don't like that they even threatened kids to maintain that wildfire story. But that's the way things are."
"What's this have to do with me going to New York?"
"Haven't you been listening, Joe? Sheriff Pruitt needs my help. Now more than ever. And you have your studies. You need to start thinking about a job. Maybe even college. That way, you can afford those fancy model trains and buildings from West Germany you keep gawking at."
"They're more detailed than the ones made by Life-Like."
"Your grades weren't too great last year, anyway. You need to work harder to improve them."
"What's a couple days away from school?" Joe asked, almost sounding like he was pleading. "Besides, part of the time in New York will be on the weekend."
"When?"
"The last weekend of the month."
"That's awful short notice."
"Does that mean I could have gone if it was later?"
Jack turned away. "You just need to focus on your studies. That's all. I want you to have a good future. This has been a rough year for both of us. You've done incredible things. Things I'm very proud of. But school is a way to look ahead. The movie. Your mom. That's all in the past."
"You still wear your wedding ring."
"Your mom was the only woman for me. I don't want anyone to think I'm available. Especially that Donna at the diner."
"She's that way with everyone. I think she had Martin worked up a little bit tonight."
Jack moved his lips, trying to suppress a smirk. "Jeez. Does she have a limit?"
"Nothing serious."
"I know." Jack said. "Look, Joe, we're missing the rest of the show. Just keep in mind what I said, and everything will be fine. I'm sure your friends will understand if you can't come along."
"I guess," Joe said, sitting on the couch.
"I know you're disappointed. But think about the long-term. It will make the most boring homework seem a little less tedious."
Joe nodded, an idea having popped into his head as he pondered the notion of "long-term." It was not necessarily in concordance with whatever his father had in mind, but he needed to act quickly in order to implement his newly-forming plan.
