The tragedy of a Border-Collie

by OctaafdeB

Mackenzie had a good life living with his parents. They love each other very much and love to spend time together. Then suddenly it all changes. What started out as a fun weekend ends in tragedy. Mackenzie loses his parents and is all alone. He has people looking out for him but for how long? Does he find a new family, will he fit in and does he manage to live with grief?

24. You are watching K9 News

''Good morning Brisbane, you're watching K9 News. My name is Michelle Toller and today our top stories are…''
a beautiful female Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever says enthusiastic as she opens the morning news. And although half of Brisbane is watching and listening to her, two dogs in two different households are not. Their TV's are on, but what is being said does not really get through to them or interest them that much.
Calypso is one of them, Bandit the other. Both of them are sitting in front of the tv and their eyes are resting on the screen. But like stated before, they don't really listen or watch it as their minds are occupied with other things.

The Toller dog tells the latest news items and introduces interviews with local reporters, but none of them are that interesting to be honest. It's local news after all.
Today the news items are something about new park and recreation laws passed by the city council and an interview with the mayor about that, a visit from a celebrity to the shopping mall, the opening of Greeny's World (a place for children, based on a popular kids show from Australia about a 7-year old cat named Greeny), a fire at a pizza restaurant in downtown Brisbane and an item about cockatiels living in a protected tree who shit daily on a car dealer's expensive cars including an interview with the angry owner of the dealership.

Both Calypso and Bandit sigh at the same time and grab their remotes to change the channel when news anchor Michelle announces the next item.
''Wow Tom, that is indeed a shitty situation'' she says with the biggest fake smile only news reporters can make. ''and speaking about nasty situations we now go to an item that some of you may find shocking because we are going talk about child endangerment. Our news reporter Toby Hare is on location. Viewer discretion is advised''.

Curious, both Bandit and Calypso decide to see what is coming. On screen a beige/grey gazehound appears. Unlike the other reporters on location who appeared earlier in this news broadcast he looks unfriendly and does not smile at all. He can't even put on a fake smile like the others. Instead he looks serious but scary at the same time. Calypso doesn't recognize the gazehound, but Bandit does… his eyes are widening from shock. ''What the what? HIM?!'' he says in astonishment.

''Thank you Michelle'' the gazehound says with a thick Northern English accent and a very deep and low voice. ''Yes, child endangerment. A topic nobody likes to talk about, but something that is very serious as it still happens to often. Don't think it won't happen to a child near you, because it can happen to a child near you. Maybe your happy go lucky neighbour who seems like a fun dad is a danger to his children. Maybe that always nice smiling teacher with the funny scarf around her neck is not the person you might think she or he is, maybe your own family members are treating your niece, nephew or grandchildren horribly. Children's safety can't be guaranteed''.

He turns around and the camera zooms out. It's revealed he is standing outside a depressed modern, glass window skyscraper.
''Here in downtown Brisbane in this building is located the head office of the National child safety services council of Australia, the former ministry of youth affairs. Here they know everything about this topic. At the head of this ministry office, under the direct supervision of the minister, stands Friso Fries. I talked to him''.

At the sound of that name, Calypso sinks deeply into her chair in misery while Bandit grinds his teeth out of despite.

The scene changes to an office with big windows with a beautiful view over the centre of Brisbane. White office walls, a dark green carpet, dark brown furniture and some pictures, framed news articles and diplomas are hanging on the walls. Behind the desk, wearing again a white shirt but now with a pink tie, sitting on a dark blue big old classic office chair sits Friso. In front of his desk, on a simple office chair without armrests or wheels sits the reporter.

''Mr. Fries, thank you for having us. Tell us more about this problem''.

Friso leans forward and rests his elbows on the desk as he tips his finger together and starts talking. ''Yes. At this department we care a lot about the safety of children and well I would like to use this opportunity to say and remind everyone watching to report suspicious situations whenever it comes to their attention. We are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days per week and we will take action in those opening hours if necessary.

''Oh… is it that necessary then?'' the reporter says with fake interest.

Friso, not noting that, answers: ''Yes it is. We get hundreds of calls about unsafe public playgrounds and unsafe playground equipment or desks, chairs, you name it at schools. We take safety very serious Mr. Hare. We don't want a child to hurt himself. And therefore…''

''yes, yes very interesting'' the reporter interrupts Friso frustrated while waving his hand. ''But what about children in greater danger. Is there a rise in that?".

Friso shifts a bit in his chair. ''Unfortunately yes, that is also happening and a concerning, raising issue in our country. For example, this week alone I personally saved two children from dangerous environments''.

''Oh really?'' the reporter says with a hidden grin and in a high pitched voice. Bandit meanwhile starts grinding his teeth more as he prepares for what Friso has to say.

Friso: ''At the start of this week we got a warning about a young girl being abused by her stepdad and when I came over to check we immediately noticed in what poor condition she was in. The house was unliveable and dangerous and she had scars, bruises and walked limp from the daily beating she got. We arrested the stepdad and now she is living with a foster family that takes good care of her and she now has a new change of getting a new life. When I saved her she was so very thankful and I'm glad to say we got there in time.
But the worst part is that the neighbours suspected that things weren't right, but never reported or said anything. It is thanks to the mailman that we found out about it. Therefore I really want to say to people who watch this; always report, even when in doubt. We investigate so you don't have to, and by doing that we can save children's lives''.

The reporter nods as he rests his chin in the palm of his hand. ''Yeah… yeah. That's good for that girl. And that other case?''

Friso frowns and then snaps his fingers. ''Ah yes, the other case I personally dealt with this week was something different. A very heavy one. The child had lost both of his parents in a terrible, terrible car crash and his teacher actually recommended a family to us who would take foster care of him. But unfortunately that proofed to be a mistake. We received an anonymous report about mental abuse. For example the foster father thought it would be funny to drive his car multiple times near the place where his parents had died.
They also denied his family from New-Zealand to take the child with them. How could they? And my faithful assistant, who shall remain anonymous because he is always out on the streets doing his work there and reporting back to me about things he finds out, well he found out that they let the boy go loose on the streets without supervision. Who allows that? The child was brutally attacked by tugs and almost kidnapped. And that foster family didn't even care about that at all. They never cared about his safety!".

''FUCKING LIER! That is not true!'' Bandit screams at his television. The remote in his hand starts cracking as his grip tightens around it. He starts to turn red from anger.

''That sounds terrible'' the reporter says sarcastic.

Friso nods his head. ''Yes. I also got a report that the foster father and a other family member of him are dangerous. They attacked a reporter from your news network and that is when we knew we had to keep an eye on them''.

The reporter looks down to the floor, acting like he is sad. With fake sobs he says: ''I know, that was me who they attacked''.

''What now?!" Bandit says in disbelief with raised eyebrows.

Then three screenshots of security camera footage appear on screen. On the first screenshot you could clearly see the reporter, Toby, sitting on a bench in a room with Bandit and Rad standing next to him and saying something to him. Their backs are turned to the camera so their faces are not visible in the first screenshot.
If you didn't know what really happened at that moment at the funeral of MacKenzie's parents, it looks like the two Heelers are intimidating a poor man just doing his job.
In the second screenshot Bandit and Rad are seen grabbing the reporter and dragging him outside.
Their faces are blurred, but everyone who knows them, can recognise them if they would pay attention.
The third one shows them throwing him over the wall.

Then a fourth picture appears. It's a selfie from Toby showing his bruised nose and broken camera in his hand. Bandit's stomach turns from fear and disgust as he sees that the selfie was taken in front of HIS house on the night that they took MacKenzie.

''For the viewers a bit of context. I was reporting on the death of the parents of the child when the foster father, a certain Bandit H. and his brother violently attacked me. I was not trespassing, I was at a meeting that was related to the accident when these two man showed up and threatened me. I explained to them that I was only doing my work as a journalist and had no mal intentions. But they acted very aggressive and intimidating towards me and suddenly without a warning or reason they grabbed me with brute force and threw me over a wall just for fun. I did not trusted them at that moment and i had the feeling that they were trying to hide something from me. Now I know they were trying to prevent me from seeing an abused child''.

The plastic of the remote in Bandit's hand snaps in tiny pieces. His mouth has fallen open. He had just been humiliated and accused of something terrible on local television. His right eye starts to twitch. Seeing CCTV footage of his own blurred face wasn't on his bingo card for this morning.

Calypso in the meantime stares at the TV in disbelief. She can't believe what she hears and sees. She doesn't want to believe the reporter, but the screenshots are telling her a different story. She starts to bite her nails as she thinks about Bandit. Was she wrong about him? Did she missed signs? Was Bluey okay living with him? What was true and what wasn't anymore? Frustrated she throws the pillows of her couch and starts stomping on them out of frustration. She turns of the television and returns to bed. She needs some rest to clear her mind.

The tv returns to Friso's office. Friso looks genuinely surprised. ''Oh wow. I never have seen that footage before. I didn't know it was you who they attacked. Hope you are okay?'' he asks genuinely concerned.

Toby looks proud as he answers: ''Yes of course I am. That is the risk of the job, but it doesn't hurt or stop me'' he says tough.

''That's good to hear'' Friso says before continuing with his story. ''Well, unlike the other case were you could clearly see the abuse on the victim, that was not happening here. This foster family was mentally abusing the child. And therefore the NCSSC will launch a campaign next month to raise awareness of mental abuse so people can pick up signs to recognise that. We hope that cases like this will become less and that people will make us more aware of it whenever it happens''.

''Yes, I think that would be very helpful mr. Fries. And I hope that child is somewhere safe now''.

''Yes he is. Far away as possible from that horrible family, who are still under investigation by the way. He is at a safe place now''.

''I doubt it you weasel!'' Bandit whispers angry under his breath.

''Well Mr. Fries, you have been doing this work for twelve years now, you started as an agent at the very beginning when the NCSSC was founded. Six years ago you promoted to a senior role in the committee and for the last four years you have been the top boss of this government department. And still you are also working in the field. That is impressive'' Toby tells.

''Well yes, but not to me. I do it because I care. I want to make a difference and do good. This work is so important. I started so many campaigns and I also started a lot of important investigations and control visits that are so appreciated and important. We, and I in particular, have saved so many children over the years and I want to continue doing that because it is still needed. I can only do that with this department. I am therefore grateful to the cabinet for recently deciding not to dissolve us in the context of budget cuts, but to continue with us to secure the safety of children in Australia. I also don't want to leave my assistant unmentioned who does a lot of work for me on the streets''.

''Mr. Fries, thank you for your time. And I want to thank you for everything you do. You must be a hero for so many!''
Toby then looks in the camera. ''Toby Hare for K9 News, Brisbane" and with that he concludes the interview.

Bandit stands up from his chair, his eyes are wet as he runs to the tv, grabs the sides of the TV, presses his face at the screen and screams: ''HE IS NOT A HERO! HE IS NOT! HE IS NOT! HE SHOULD ROT IN HELL!'', Bandit looks like he's rabid as his mouth starts foaming.

Then Michelle Toller who is sitting in the studio reappears on screen with her fake smile.
''So people. If you see anything suspicious report it to Mr. Friso. In other related and exciting news: Yesterday the Governor-General on behalf of the Prime Minister announced that the director and also Brisbane citizen Friso Fries will be awarded the medal of the Order of Australia and will become an Officer of the Order, the second highest rank(!,) for his distinguished service and achievements of high degree in general for children's safety in Australia''.

Bandit, after hearing this, now screams in frustration and anger, he lifts up the television from the tv cabinet, sprints (unplugging the tv with so much force that the breaker pops) to the kitchen, then outside to the balcony and then throws the tv out from there. It cracks a floor lower in the garden and keeps laying there broken.

Bandit huffs and puffs and tries to catch his breath. He closes his eyes as he breaths loudly trough his nose and after a couple of seconds he opens his eyes again. He is a bit calmer and more rational again. His anger has gone, but he was still sad about what he heard on the news. He then looks at what he has done with regret. ''That maybe was a bit of an overreaction'' he says.

He looks at the broken television in his garden a floor below. Chili's flowers are ruined. Then by chance he looks a little further just to watch the rest of his garden and to his shock he notices Lucky and Chucky in their garden on the other side of the fence. And they are staring back at him. They were playing with water guns, spraying each other when suddenly they heard a terrifying scream and then saw an angry Bandit storming onto his balcony throwing a tv at their direction, so it seemed from their point of view. They are now starring at him. Both of them are in shock and fear. Lucky's eyes are big as he stares at Bandit. Chucky is the most affected as he can be seen trembling from fear and on the edge of crying.
Bandit realises what he has done and starts panicking. He knows very well how this comes across and that this could have consequences for him and maybe to his friendship with Pat. It was really not his intention to scare them. He waves akwardly at them.

''Hi boys, I just…'' before he can say anything more they both pull a sprint and run inside their house for safety.

Bandit's face turns sad and he leans on the side of the balcony. Suddenly he can hear footsteps running towards him at a fast speed, hard and loud. He turns around to see an enraged Chili walking up to him. Again he opens his mouth to say something, but she pushes his shoulders.

''What the actual F is wrong with you!'' she says in a threating, scary voice.

''Chili… I…''

''Under this balcony is your children's playroom. Your youngest daughter was there, playing. She was just about to go outside when suddenly the fucking television landed in the garden''.
Bandit hears this and the world around him collapses. He wishes that right now the floor would fall out from under him and he could disappear into a deep, bottomless pit
''If she would have stepped one paw out in the garden just a few seconds earlier, she would have been crushed! Did you want that to happen?! You could have hurt your daughter you knuckle sandwich!'' Chili continues. She is beyond furious at her husband.

''no…noo of course not. I…I never want to hurt her'' Bandit whimpers.

''THEN WHY THE FUCK DID YOU DO IT!" Chili screams on top of her lungs while she grabs Bandit's shoulders and pulls at him. Her face is red and is filled with anger. Bandit never seen her this angry before. It scares him.

''Have you forgotten in that thick skull if yours that we are under the radar of the fucking NCSSC'' she then starts sobbing as she starts to beat Bandit on his chest. He falls back on the ground his back and chili falls with him. She keeps drumming on his torso with her fists. ''This could be a reason for them to take our children away from us! If they find out about this, we lose them AND I DON'T WANT TO LOSE THEM BANDIT!'' she keeps sobbing.

Bandit now starts crying to. ''Me neither Chili believe me. I…did…i…I didn't mean to do it. It was out of frustration and I shouldn't have done it. I was not thinking straight'' he says back as he lets her keeping out her frustrations out on him.
He wants to tell Chili why he did it, what he had seen on the news. But there is a voice in his head telling him not to tell her that, otherwise she might even get more anxious and nervous. So he decides not to tell her.

After Chili has cooled off they lay there for a while, hugging each other to seek comfort.
''Chili, after everything that happened i… I lost control. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I should have calmed down and think before I acted. There was just something on tv and… it looked like what happened to MacKenzie and… I was reminded of what happened two days ago. I'm so incredible sorry'' Bandit says after a while, apologizing.

Chili nods her head. ''I never in my life have seen you lose control. It…it scared me Bandit. Especially in the situation we are currently in. Let's forget about it okay'' she says.

''Sorry that I'm a failure of a father and husband'' he says softly while looking in her eyes.

Chili gasps as the tears return. She presses her head against him. ''Bandit Heeler, never ever say that or think that again! You are not a failure. There was nothing you could do that night and still you tried your best. It happened. Nothing of it was your fault and don't let others say that to you and especially don't let Bandit say that about Bandit you got me? You are still your children's hero and mine too. There is zero failure in you!''.

Bandit swallows and takes a deep breath as he hugs Chili again. ''Thank you'' he whispers to her. He needed that to hear. It made him feel god to know that his wife still had faith in him.
They stand up as Chili gives him a kiss and then walks back inside. Bandit wants to follow her, but before he can he hears someone coughing for attention down in his garden. He looks down from his balcony and sees Patrick standing there.

''oh… hi Pat'' he says awkwardly. He knows why Pat is there. ''Listen, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare your boys like that. I…''

Pat raises his hand. ''I know Bandit. I'm not angry or here to yell at you. You wouldn't do such a thing to my kids, or any other child. And what you throw away in your own garden is basically your business. Hack, if you want to litter it with trash then that is your choice. But they were afraid that they were making to much noise and that you did that to scare them away or to shut them up. Is that true?''.

Bandit shakes his head. ''No, not at all. I didn't even hear them. I…*sighs* was letting out some frustration on the tv because I saw something on it that…well''
''You saw your own blurred face on the news'' Pat interrupts and finishes the sentence. Bandit's head hangs low in shame.

Pat sighs. ''Listen mate. Me and Janelle were watching the news to and we have seen that particular reporting and interview. So we understand your anger. But letting it out on your furniture isn't a good idea. We know it was all rubbish what that reporter said. We were at the funeral and heard and saw what happened when he just causal walked in like he owned the place and offended MacKenzie, you and Rad. You two did good by throwing him out. It's just his job to lie, he gets paid to do that!''
Pat then grins ''HA! And did you see that wanker that raided your house and took MacKenzie away? He believed it all that gullible piece of shit. So I now understand why he was stupid enough to believe that you were some crazy parent. He is just dumber then dirt''.

Bandit smiles a bit after hearing Pat calling Friso a piece of shit and that his friend still has his back. ''I know. But after everything that happened i… I just lost it'' Bandit says in shame as he looks away from Pat.

''Every man has his breaking point Bandit. You just reached yours and that is understandable. I would probably break sooner than you mate if I was in your situation. I really don't know how I would react. Maybe I would build a tank out of a bulldozer and cause havoc in the streets and try to attack that office building with it. But watch out what you do with your anger. You need to learn to control yourself. You can trust me, but what if someone else had seen what you just did? They would probably reported it to the authorities! That is the last thing you want to happen!''.

Bandit doesn't want to think about that if that would happen. He knows what's at stake. He looks at the sky as he says; ''I know, I know. But it's just so difficult right now. I just wish that some miracle would happen you know? Something that gives me information about this whole situation and where to find MacKenzie. So I can save him, take him back and restore our names and prove that we were falsely accused. But who am I kidding'' he says sad. ''Miracles don't happen. A opportunity to find answers is not going to happen I'm afraid''.
He then looks down again and notices that Pat is no longer there. He stands up and looks around. ''Pat?'' he says.

''Yeah mate?'' he suddenly hears behind him. Bandit screams as he jumps and turns around. Pat is standing behind him, smiling.

''Don't do that! You scared me to death!'' Bandit says out of breath.

''It was rather easy to do'' Pat says full of himself. ''I came upstairs as the door was open anyway and you were starting to ramble about miracles. Those only happen in movies mate. Oh, and I also wanted to give you this'; he reaches into a bag he is carrying with him and pulls out a closed tin can. ''This is from Janelle. It's tea with some kind of special herbs. She says it helps you to calm your nerves and relax and that you should try it. It helps her whenever the boys start to argue''.

Bandit takes the can with tea leaves and thanks Pat. He looks down and sees Lucky and Chucky back in their back garden. He waves at them carefully. Lucky awkwardly stares back at him and quietly and carefully waves his hand back without smiling or frowning. Chucky still looks terrified and turns around and runs back inside of his house again.
Bandit looks sad and stares down to the ground as Pat pets his shoulder. ''Don't worry about it. They are still a bit shaken up about what they have seen. They will recover from it…I think'' he says.

Bandit can't laugh about it and Pat feels bad for him. ''How about you and me going fishing? You can use a bit of distraction'' Pat then suggests.

''I don't know Pat. Not really in the mood to do something really'' Bandit says.

''Come on! It will be fun! Takes your mind off things. Just let's go'' Pat says trying to convince Bandit. But Bandit still doesn't want to.

''Hey! Where is the tv! I want to watch Cat Squad!'' he then hears Bingo saying angry from the living room.

''On second thought, maybe it's a good idea to go fishing'' Bandit says quickly. Pat grins and together they walk downstairs to let Chili know they will be gone. Chili agrees as she thinks it's a good idea for Bandit to do something else. Pat is happy that he convinced his friend to get out of the house and quickly goes back to his house to grab his fishing gear, car, some chairs and his car.

Bandit grabs his fishing gear from the garage and walks to the door. Before he leaves he asks Chili who is reading a book: ''How's Bluey doing?''

''She is doing better. She didn't threw up last night so she is recovering well from her concussion. She is still upstairs in her room sleeping. I want her to take it easy one more day just to be sure''.

''Oh that is great to hear!'' Bandit says happy and for the first time in days his tail wags as he hears about his daughter. He turns around and wants to go upstairs to see her but Chili stops him.

''Not yet, let her sleep. When you are back you can see her''.

Bandit looks disappointed but understands. He nods. ''I hope she isn't to traumatised by what happened''

Chili looks a bit sad. ''She is still so worried about MacKenzie. She just mumbles his name in her sleep and when she is awake she asks if we already know where he is. I don't know how to answer that''.

Bandit thinks. ''Maybe we can ask Calypso for some advice about that tonight?'' he says.

Chili agrees ''good idea. I will text her if we can talk about that. I also arranged a sleepover for two days at Chloe. I think a distraction and some fun with her best friend will do her fine''.
They kiss and then Pat honks the horn of his car, indicating that he is ready to go. ''Catch a big one for us for diner hon'' Chili says.

'' You know I only catch big ones!'' Bandit says full of confidence of himself as he walks out of the door. He doesn't want to admit it, but he is happy to be out of the house and to do something to clear his mind. He has just one final thought as he thinks about what Chili said about Bluey, and that is that he hopes that MacKenzie doesn't suffer at this moment and is also doing something fun outside''.

Bandit doesn't know what is happening of course on the other side of the country.

At the same time, just outside of Brisbane on a large industrial estate stands a large storage facility. A place with over 800 storage units in different sizes. At the entrance of the facility stands a small brick building that is white painted and partly underground. The roof that is on chest height is covered with plants and at the front a four step stairs leads to a red steel door. The building is small and is only an office. Inside two chairs are standing in front of a small iron desk. Furthermore a couple of cabinets and a small kitchen are present in the office and a small tv hangs on the wall.

Behind the desk sitting on an old, worn green desk chair sits Stripe. He is behind the laptop that stands on the desk and looks bored. Today is one of the days he is working at his side business of renting out storage units. Together with a friend, and also business partner, of him he bought the facility about five years ago. Just as a hobby project for him to get some more income and keep himself occupied after working less days at his regular job.

Stripe is normally very busy with his busy and good paid job as IT specialist and IT manager at a big bank in the business district of Brisbane. He used to work five days a week from nine till six but it really tired him out. Not to say it was boring. On the edge of a burn-out six years ago he decided to cut some days so he would have more time to relax and to spend with his family. But after a year he discovered that sitting alone at home all day was boring when his wife was at work and his kids at school. So together with his friend Steve, a great Pyrenees dog, he bought this facility so he could fill the time.
Three days a week he was working at the bank and the other two days in the week and every other Saturday he worked at this facility. It wasn't a difficult job as he was the owner. He would mostly do nothing apart from some security checks, some administration and answering phone calls and e-mails. The maintenance of the facility was done by Rad who he hired for that. Most of the time the units were rented out and tenants would walk in and out freely, not needing any assistance at all. So it did not happen often he had to deal with new tenants, which was always the most work, or that he had to open units because tenants forgot to bring their keys with them.
Most of the time when he finished the administrative work he would just sit there in the office and play videogames or watch YouTube videos on the tv on the wall to kill the time. It was a relaxing and fun way to earn some money and to stay 'busy'.

This particular day felt different. Just the night before he and Trixie made promises to each other after finding out they need to improve their way of communicating. Although the night ended steamy, he was still feeling in the dumps. This morning he and Trixie had a talk with Muffin and Socks and it wasn't an easy talk. It took them a lot of effort to convince their daughters that they were still happily married and they made the children promise to correct them if they again talked to each other the way they used to do. It was especially hard for Socks who wasn't fully convinced at the end of the conversation. He had seen the pain in her eyes and it did hurt him.

Besides that, he was also still feeling sad for Bandit. He had watched the news that morning and spurted out his morning coffee when he recognised Bandit and Rad on the tv, although they were blurred. He wasn't there when that happened, but they told him about it so he knew what really was going on in those images and that they were being framed. To see them being falsely framed on local television had angered and saddened him. He wish he could help Bandit in reclaiming his good name, keep his nieces save and to get MacKenzie back.
But he didn't know how. He wished he could do something good and that was bothering him this day. How could he do that? was on his mind.
He thought about it for a very long time. When he noticed it was almost time to go home he sighs and throws a pen at the wall.

''Who am I kidding? I can't do anything to help him. I'm not useful in any sense except for wasting time'' he tells himself.

Defeated his stands up and walks to the little fridge in the kitchen. He grabs a bottle of Bundaberg root beer, opens it, takes a huge sip and walks back to the desk and plops down on the chair. He looks at his laptop and sighs. ''Maybe I should do a little bit of work today'' he murmurs to himself. He hadn't done anything yet.

He doesn't want to start the laptop again after turning it off just earlier so he picks up his phone instead and opens the companies e-mail inbox. The first unread e-mail in the inbox had been sent the previous day and wasn't read by his business partner. The e-mail had a red flag indicating it was important and required a fast reply. Stripe wasn't really impressed by that but did frown when he noticed the email was sent securely and required a key to open. He grumbled because he now had to request and copy a code via a secure online network in order to read an email.

''What a lot of work to read something. This is stupid'' he complains out loud.

When the e-mail finally opens he reads through it quickly and roughly to see what the potential customer wants. The requests in the e-mail kind of surprises him. It's an order for the rental of no less than eleven of the biggest units for an indefinite period. Quite expensive to rent as well.

''Wow. Jackpot!" he thinks happily as he sips from his Bundaberg bottle.

He then reads the requirements set by the tenant. The applicant sets quite a few requirements for the units he wants to rent. Stripe raises his eyebrows as he reads the 'demands'. He never has seen such a detailed list of requirements and wishes and wonders who on earth would want to rent this and what they would want to store in it. ''What nonsense is this then?'' he mumbles to himself.

A few of the demands are that the lockers have to be secure, be moisture free, heavily secured, must have camera surveillance and may only be opened by government officials who can identify themselves.
That last sentence tickles Stripe's mind. ''Government agents? What is going on here?'' he wonders. He then skips a lot of the e-mail and scrolls down on his screen to the end of the letter because he hopes to find some information about the sender. When he reaches the end his eyes widen and he looks surprised.

''Well…well…well. That's interesting'' he mumbles as he smiles.
The email ends neatly with a greeting: ''Kind regards, Friso Fries. Director and chairman of the National Child Safety Services Council, a department of the Australian Government''.

The smile on his face grows bigger as a protentional opportunity now has been thrown into his lap. He copies the phone number that is attached under Friso's contact details and copy paste it in his dial screen and then calls.

Nervously he dances his fingers on his desk as he hears the phone going over. Eventually he hears the phone being picked up.
''Friso here. Hello?'' he then hears a tired voice saying on the other side of the line.

Stripe, feeling a bit nervous, clears his throat: ''Mr. Friso. g 'day, you speak with Stripe… uh Grey'' Stripe says. He quickly uses Trixie's surname as his, as he doesn't want to give away he is a Heeler and therefore raise suspicion. ''I received your e-mail about renting some units at my storage facility. I just want to let you know that I can meet all requirements and have the units immediately available if you still wish to use them'' Stripe continues.

''Oh yes, that is true I sent that e-mail. Well that is excellent news Mr. Grey, thank you for calling me back about that'' Friso sounds happy. ''I can be assured that you understood every demand and that it is very important for us that everything is complied with? Because you do know we are a government department and therefore everything has to be secure?''.

''Yeah mate, I have read it in the e-mail. If I couldn't comply with your wishes, I would have let you known to'' Stripe answers in a now laid back manor.

''Ah good. Good. Uhm…well, tomorrow morning I receive a medal of honour'' Stripe rolls his eyes as he hears Friso telling him that with a bit of self-satisfaction in his voice, ''but afterwards in the afternoon I will come by your office to secure the deal and sign the lease contract if that is alright with you? I want to deal with this as soon as possible'' Friso says. He still sounds happy and reassured that he has some space to rent.

''Oh yeah, no problem mate. Tomorrow I will be at the office until 5 pm so see you there then. I promise I will hold on to them 'especially' for you'' Stripe says back with a friendly, fake tone. ''Just one question if I may…''

''yes of course, what is it?'' Friso says back.

''I couldn't help but notice in your e-mail that you mentioned that only official government officials can have access to the units and can store official government…stuff. None of my business of course what you want to store but I can't and won't allow any kind of weapons, chemical stuff, nuclear waste or prisoners if you know what I am saying. Those kind of typical things governments like to store somewhere''.

Stripe hears Friso laughing. ''Hahaha...no…no I understand your concern Mr. Grey but none of that, it's rather boring what we need to store. We are going to rebuild our offices and we need space for that. So we want to hire some units to store furniture and also some official and important files, documents, etc. Those are non-classified government documents, but they are privacy sensitive and should not be accessible to everyone. That is why we ask for a secure space to store with enough security''.

''Aaahhh I understand now. Then it really is no problem. You can keep as much files as you want here. I promise you safe keeping of the highest order'' Stripe answers back with a smile as he takes his final sip from the Bundaberg bottle.

Friso thanks him again and mentions he will be there the next day around 3pm before he hangs up. Stripe leans back in his office chair with a big grin on his face.
''No problem Frissy mate. I will look after your precious documents, after I looked into them of course'' he says to himself laughing.

-
Meanwhile at the farm

In the early morning hours, MacKenzie is still fast asleep when suddenly he is being woken up by something hard hitting him on the head.
He immediately sits right up and grabs his head in pain.

''Morning mutt!'' John says. ''What wasn't clear when I told you that we wake up early every day?''.

MacKenzie sees a small rock on the ground. That is what hit him. Then, like the day before, some old bread and a bottle of grey water is being tossed at him. This time he decides to eat it so he has something in his stomach. John looks at him with disgust and then leaves again.
MacKenzie then looks around and realises he is missing something. Or someone.

''David?'' he says quietly.

It stays quiet for a while.

''David?'' he now says a bit louder and worried.

''Here-o!'' he then suddenly hears. He turns around and sees David sitting on his hay bale.

''Where were you?'' MacKenzie say surprised.

''Filling the bucket in privacy'' David says calmly.

''What? Filling the buck….oohhh. I get it'' MacKenzie says a bit ashamed. He eats the rest of his bread. He still hates the situation he is in, but luckily David is here with him and therefore he doesn't feel that alone.

A bit later John comes back and removes the ankle chains and takes them back to the field, to the point where they stopped yesterday.

John throws a rake at MacKenzie's feet. ''Right. Today I expect you to finish with digging the furrows. You should have finished yesterday and did disappoint…''
''I didn't mean to and it was a lot of…'' MacKenzie silently interrupts.

''SILENCE!'' John yells back. He coughs and rattles his throat. ''As I was saying before you interrupted, I expect you to finish this field to-day! If you don't do that… let's just say you wouldn't like the consequences'' he smiles mean and scary as he looks down on MacKenzie who gulps and immediately grabs the rake and starts working.

That morning MacKenzie works hard and plows ahead at a fast pace. When he feels the hot sun rising and burning on his body, he covers himself in mud like he learned yesterday from David. After working two hours non-stop he is in excruciating pain. His body hurts, a terrible headache is plaguing him, the heat is unbearable and he is once again on the point of collapsing. But his mind and will is strong, he doesn't want to give up. He refuses it even. He wants to proof that he can do this and is not afraid of John's threats.
So he ignores his body and works very hard.

John meanwhile sits on his rocking chair, watching MacKenzie work. He is satisfied with the amount of work that is being done. Just before lunchtime he notices that MacKenzie is almost done and now his demeanour changes. Seeing that he is almost done pisses John of. He was looking forward to punishing him and did not expect MacKenzie to actually finish this job in time. He sips down his tenth bottle of beer of the day and picks up his riffle. He aims at MacKenzie and shoots.

''AAHHH!'' MacKenzie screams in fear as he hears a bullet flying past him all of the sudden. He dives down and is laying down low on the ground. His eyes widen as he scans the area and he looks at the direction it came from and sees John laughing hysterically.

''Ignore it'' David says with a bored voice. ''That is just a game he likes to play''.

''A game?!'' MacKenzie says in disbelief. ''He could have hit us!''.

David shrugs his shoulders. ''He won't hit us. We are to valuable for him to be killed. Whenever he is bored or sees that he can't punish us he shoots at us for fun, but always makes sure not to hit us''.

''Fun? You call that fun?'' MacKenzie says irritated. ''He is mad!''.

''Yes he is. But just like all the other things around here, you get used to it. You won't even hear the bullets flying over your head after a while. Just hope he never actually hits you whenever his aim is off'' David says before continuing working.

MacKenzie takes a first sip out of the bottle of disgusting water. ''This can't be reel'', he thinks. It sounds like a plot from a bad, 70's western drama series.
He stands up and picks up his work again and continues where he left off. When he reaches the middle of the field he wonders why he is doing this at all. For the first time that day is mind is not occupied with work but with other things. John could shoot him as far as he was concerned. It would make a end to his suffering.

He stops, stares at his hand and shakes his head. ''No, mum saved my life by giving up hers. I won't give up that easily, that's not what she would have wanted'' he says to himself determined. He then looks up at the blue sky. Not a cloud in sight. Blue. Like her. Was he ever going to see her again? he wondered. As he continues plowing and working hard, he can't help but thinking of her. ''Will I ever see you again?'' he whispers sad to himself, the memories of them being together playing in his mind. Happier times he took for granted, he thinks. He missed her company and being with her. She would always make him happy and smile. She was always there for him and helped him just a couple of days ago with opening up and being honest with himself. The thoughts of her and the memories made him happy enough and encouraged him to continue his work as it was a distraction. But after a time his mind started to switch the gears and decided it was now time to be not happy again. He started to worry about her.
The last time he had seen her, she tried to save him desperately and then got knocked out when she hit the table. He hoped that she was ok, but the memory of her hitting the table hunted him. A tear falls as that memory plays in his head. It was his fault she got hurt and therefore he deserved being here, he thought to himself.

He looked at the barn, dark red with a light brown roof, and then to a white cow with brown spots somewhere on the other side of the farm. He thought about his friends. Would they ever hang out together again? Playing sports or games or just sit together for a talk and a walk? The thoughts of them saddened him and made him go slower and slower.
His fast pace of work now slowed down more and more. By the time it was lunch hour, he hadn't finished the field like he hoped to have done by now.
This time however, Doris came and gave him soup. Apparently John was pleased enough with the amount of work done that he would grant them the lunch break this time. She places a wooden bowl on the ground, with a plastic cup of fresh cowmilk.

''Thank you m 'am'' MacKenzie says polite.

She looks unimpressed, turns her nose up and walks away again. MacKenzie starts eating the soup. It's actually descent this time. A lukewarm vegetable soup with actual fresh veggies. He gulps it down and then sits in the shadow to have a moment to relax and organise his thoughts. After some time John shoots his riffle, meaning that the break is over.

MacKenzie starts working again. Eventually the midday heat reaches a peak and doesn't make it more easier. MacKenzie collapses every now and then from it. David picks him up every time and helps him to recover. Determined to not give John the satisfaction of him failing, he keeps going and going. His body is telling him desperately to stop, but he won't.

When the day finally reaches his end, MacKenzie finishes the job. The sun is setting as he throws his, now almost destroyed rake, on the ground. He falls on his knees and starts sobbing. Tears of joy of finishing the job, tears of disappear of being in this situation, tears of the pain his body is enduring and tears of sadness as he misses his friends and family. David walks over to him and pets him on the back to comfort him.
''Thank you'' he whispers to David.

After a while he hears a car coming up to them. It's John in his Ute. He gets out and looks around. ''You actually did it'' he says in disbelief as he scratches his head.

MacKenzie nods. ''Yeah, I did. Didn't think we could do that?"

John slaps the bonnet of his car. He is happy that the land is ploughed, but he is annoyed that he now has no reason to carry out a punishment. He was looking forward to it. He walks to MacKenzie, stops and turns his face away as he grabs his nose.

''Dear gods, did you roll in shit or something? You smell like death!'' he complains.

MacKenzie raises his left arm and smells his armpit. He looks disgusted by himself. Indeed, he smells horrible. But it wasn't unexpected really after all the sweating he did and the mud he covered himself with to protect him from the sun.
Suddenly John grabs him and throws him in the back of his car. He gets in and drives of. John drives to the side of the barn where the animals are being kept and when he reaches the pig pen he gets out of the car, grabs the confused MacKenzie and throws him in the cattle drinking trough.
MacKenzie disappears under water and then comes back up coughing and gasping for air. Sad he looks at John, feeling humiliated as water drops from his face. John grins. ''That should do it'' he says. ''Now back to barn!'' he then demands.

MacKenzie gets out and shakes the dirty water off before walking sad back to the barn. Inside he sits on his hay bale as John chains his ankle to the wall again. Doris comes back and leaves some scraps as diner before she and John turn around and walk away.
The lights turn off and the barn is getting dark again. MacKenzie sighs as he takes a bite of a carrot dipped in bone broth.

''Well, that was quite a day'' David says when they finish their meal.

MacKenzie nods. He sees David looking at him.

''How do you feel?'' he asks.

MacKenzie looks sad. ''I feel… sad. I miss my family and friends''.

David nods, understanding MacKenzie's pain.

''Yeah, I am familiar with that feeling'' David says sad.

''Can I ask how you ended up here? If you want to tell me of course'' MacKenzie then asks.

David lies down on his straw bale. He stares at the ceiling. Mackenzie sees him thinking and twisting his thoughts. He is starting to regret asking because he can clearly see that David is having a hard time emotionally recalling the memories.
Just as he wants to say that he doesn't mind if David doesn't want to tell him, he hears David sighing as he sits up and stares at the concrete floor. He starts telling his story in a sad and sad pace.

''Me and my family were on a road trip through New South Wales two years ago. We lived in Adelaide and we were on our way back after the autumn holiday. There was me, my dad, my mother and my older brother Duncan'' David's eyes began to glaze over as he recalled the painful memory. He swallows and continues; ''One night we stayed in a motel somewhere outside Canberra. We were all very tired after driving for ten hours and stopping every thirty minutes as Duncan was carsick, so we hadn't make much progress as we had to stop at every gas station so he could barf. Duncan was three years older than me and my cooler older brother. But he was mostly very quiet and calm. You wouldn't say but I was the busy and loud one in those days. We were opposites from each other, but we had a strong bond. Basically he was my best friend ''.

MacKenzie tries to imagine how Duncan looks like. He thinks of a dalmatian looking Like a mix between David and Chloe, as they are the only dalmatians he personally knows. He puts his hands under his head as he sits comfortably to hear what David is about to tell.

David waves his hand around a little ass he tries to think how to continue telling his story. ''So after dinner we went to the room we shared with the four of us. The room had two king sized beds. So me and Duncan had to share abed and our parents slept in the other one. We were all fast asleep and I mean a deep sleep because we were so tired when…*sighs* a fire broke out. Apparently a drunk dog in a other room was smoking in bed and fell asleep.
The fire alarm was malfunctioning so it did not go off in our room.
The only reason we discovered that there was a fire was because I woke up. And I only did because I was thirsty and wanted a glass of water. So I got out of bed and walked to the bathroom. When I stepped out of the bathroom to return to bed… that is when I saw the flames outside the window next to my and Duncan's bed. I froze… I just looked at it and didn't know what to do.
Those bright lights… sometimes I still wake up screaming or get a panic attack from bright lights. And they really brightened the whole room the lights of those flames. When I realised what was happening I woke up my family. It… it took me a lot of energy and effort to wake them up. I literally had to jump on my dad to wake him up, but by the time they were finally fully awake and also realised what was happening the flames had already filled the entire hallway outside our motel room''.

MacKenzie listened to the story with attention and pain. His heart was filled with pity for the dalmatian as he was realising how this story probably was about to end.

David quickly picks away a tear from the corner of his eye and rubs his arm quickly over his runny nose as he softly continues his story. ''Duncan woke up and panicked. Mum told him to wait as dad was trying to open the window on the other side of the room. There was a fire escape connected to that window so we still had a change to escape.
But Duncan… in his panic and stress couldn't be calmed by mum and he ran to the door to that hallway because he desperately wanted to leave that room and because of his panic state of mind he didn't think and was only in a hurry, impatient. When he opened the door…. those flames…. they… *he swallows* they rushed in our room like a wave hitting the beach and he… he never stood a change Mackenzie. He vaporized in front of our eyes. *David snaps his fingers* Just like that. Gone!'' the last word he said with a sad, monotone voice.

MacKenzie gets shivers over his back and is horrified by the thought. ''Poor Duncan'' he whispers.

''Mum…she…she just collapsed in grief and then she lost her mind to and without thinking run after him in to the flames to see if she could grab and save him. I tried desperately for her to stay but she was gone before I could reach her. My dad didn't see any of that happen as he was too busy with opening that damn window. Then when he finally manged to open it, he lifted me up and pushed me out unto the fire stairs and told me to go down them.
Obviously i didn't want to go without him, but he promised me he would not leave me behind. He told me to go to the swimming pool of the motel as he would go there to and that we would all meet there. But first he wanted to get Mum and Duncan, he was unaware of what happened. I tried to tell him, but before I could he was already back inside.
I….i…I did what he told me to do and went downstairs and when I reached the pool…*he starts to sob a little* I heard an enormous crash! I turned around and looked up and saw that the roof of the motel had collapsed….. they all perished in that fire MacKenzie''. David shuts his eyes and tries to fight the tears.

A moment of silence follows between the two.
MacKenzie looked shocked after hearing this. ''I'm so sorry'' he says.

''Nah mate. Wasn't your fault was it?'' David answers back. ''Anyhow, My grandparents were too old to take care of me and both of my parents did not have brothers or sisters so I don't have any uncles or aunts''.

''What happened then to you?'' MacKenzie asked carefully.

David opens his eyes again. MacKenzie could see they were filled with spite. ''The ambulance checked if I was alright and then they called those bastards from the NCSSC because I was without parents now. A stabyhoun in a white shirt and purple tie took me to an orphanage all the way up in Darwin. Just straight away. I was forced to stay there for four fucking, hellish months. The kids and the caregivers were mean and nasty to me and I was all alone. I was plagued by nightmares but none of the caregivers wanted to talk to me about that. They were always too busy looking on their phones or drinking coffee and smoking.
The younger pups always blamed me for everything that they broke or vandalised and I always got punished as the caretakers would only believe them. Many times when the others were playing outside, I had to do extra chores as undeserved punishment. Sweeping the hallways, clean all the dishes by myself and dust all shelves and cabinets. Then you had the elder ones who just constantly ignored me at every moment of every day. And the few that did not ignore me, bullied me''.
David looks at MacKenzie with a deadpan face.

''You know MacKenzie what the worst is of those orphanages? From the moment I walked in there I had this feeling I would stay there forever. And it's not just a feeling anymore, I now know it is the truth''. His expression now turns into a serious face. MacKenzie looks with a questioned face.

''What do you mean?'' he asks.

''You know that every family that visits those adoption places, they only come for the young pups. They don't want to adopt me or you. Even though we are nine or eleven, they consider us as to old already. The only want those young ones because they look cuter than us. Because they are smaller and they can be modelled how they want. Us old dog kids are left because we lack the cuteness and are not always that playful anymore. We come with problems and are just not adoptable they think. They can't mould us into copies of themselves. And do you want to know what the most hearth wrecking thing was that I saw In those four months?''

MacKenzie is afraid of what is coming but nods his head gently so David knows he can continue.
''I had seen older children return to the orphanage. They were adopted years earlier when they were younger and I saw how they were returned, like they were just used furniture or a wrong sized t-shirt that got returned to the shop. They got locked up in tiny rooms and were crying all and every day after, because they didn't want to go back to that place and did not understand why they were being dumped by their adoptive parents. They had grown to love them and were getting used to their new homes and families. But those people thought they had become to old and didn't want to take care of them anymore. They left those older kids at the orphanage and always returned home the same day with a younger pup. And you can bet all your money on it that they will be returned as well in a couple of years.
And for those who turn eighteen and don't get adopted… they got kicked out the minute the clock said it was 12pm on the day of their birthdays. They have to live on the streets as vagabonds. Nobody who takes care of them so they have to life a life of poverty and have to bag on the streets for money''.

MacKenzie was now angry. ''Who is responsible for those orphanages?'' he says angrily. ''I mean, the NCSSC is supposed to take care of places like that, right? Don't they exist purely to close down such establishments and make sure they take good care of the children? They have to protect children!'' he sounds indignant and surprised as he waves his arms as he talks.

David laughs. ''Mate, all orphanages in Australia are under direct control of that council. The assistant of the boss of that organisation is the general manager of all orphanages in the country. They know what is happening there. They facilitate it!".

MacKenzie sits down again defeated. He had heard the stories but thought they were rubbish. But lately he has been doubting more often whether there was some truth in it. After hearing David's story he now fully believed it.

''But you did not stay there until you were eighteen. You were only there for four months. How come?'' he asks David.

Again David's eyes turn into anger as he tells his story. ''One day the same a guy that brought me there with his white shirt and tie appeared in the play yard of the orphanage. He told me his name was Friso and that he was an agent from the national child safety services council and announced that I was adopted''.
David turns to MacKenzie with a sad face and tears in his eyes. He now looked heartbroken and hurt. ''Oh MacKenzie, I can't tell you how happy I was and how lucky I felt at that moment. I just couldn't believe they found a family for me. That there were dogs who actually wanted me as their child and take care of me! At least that Is what I thought''.

David looks up at the dark sky that is visible from a big hole in the roof. ''Finally away from the mean caretakers and bullies. Thinking I could leave the past behind me. I was ready for it, I even danced and sang from happiness in front of the other children. I couldn't care anymore about what they thought of me…''.

A knot forms in MacKenzie's stomach as he realises that he knows how this terribly sad story will end. But he doesn't say anything. He wants David to feel comfortable enough to talk about it himself.
And after a brief moment of silence, David continues. ''That guy, Friso, drove with me to the airport. From there we flew to here. I was excited. I never had flown before in my life and I was on my way to a whole new place to start all over. He got me excited when he told me I would live here with six other children that experienced something similar like me, you know… losing their parents, and that we would work and life on a farm in a happy household''.
He snorts with his nose and looks angry at MacKenzie. ''I don't think I have to tell you what I found here or how I was treated. That reality was something completely different''.

MacKenzie looks down. ''No… I know''.

After a other moment of silence, David sits up and looks at MacKenzie. ''And that is how I ended up here and had to endure all of this, like you''.

MacKenzie looks sad at him but then suddenly raises a eyebrow. ''Who was here to welcome you, I mean in the way you welcomed me and tell me everything? And you said yesterday that we would meet the other six and have mentioned them just now again, but I still haven't seen them today or yesterday''.

David looks at him. ''I was welcomed by a Bouvier des Flanders named Gaston. He was number six to arrive here. I am seven and your are eight. You won't be the last I think. And I thought you had seen them yesterday on your first day already?'' David says wondering.
MacKenzie shakes no with his head. ''Ah well. Then we must missed them. They are at the other side of the field. Help me to remember that I will introduce them to you tomorrow'' David says.

He then looks at MacKenzie. ''Now, do you want to share your story with me?'' he asks with sincere hope and interest.

MacKenzie hesitates for a moment. He doesn't know if it's the right comparison or if he's even allowed to make it but he thinks his story is less tragic then David's story and therefore not worth of being told. But when he thinks of his parents and their legacy to him, he sighs and then tells his story, the tragedy of a Border-Collie. That night he shares with David everything that happened.

After retelling it David looks sad and horrified.
''Wow. That was… that was sad''.

Really?'' asks MacKenzie a bit surprised.

David frowns. ''Yeah. Losing your parents in such a horrible way, plagued by nightmares and guilt, your family living somewhere else and leaving you here, basically getting kidnapped from the house of your crush and her family and them getting hurt. It sounds terrible''.

''She is a very good friend, not a crush'' MacKenzie says quickly as his face turns red.

David grins. ''Sure she is. The way you talked about her really sounds like just a friend''. He smiles as MacKenzie looks like he has been caught.

''Nothing to be ashamed about. But anyway, don't think my story was a bigger tragedy then yours and therefore I have more right to be sad or that I am more pitiful''

''How did you knew I was thinking that?'' MacKenzie interrupts surprised.

''Because I saw it in your face and how you started telling your story. We all are sad and all our lives have ended in tragedy. None of us is more pitiful then the other. Your story is just as tragic as mine'' Duncan explains.

MacKenzie nods that he understands. ''Yeah, and now we just have to make the best of it don't we?''.

''Exactly!'' David says.

MacKenzie smiles as he feels better after sharing his story with David and David telling him his. He feels like he isn't truly alone right now. Not in presence, but also not of mind.
The boys wish each other a good night as the barn turns complete dark now. They are both fast asleep.

-
While the boys are sleeping and chained up in the barn, John is sitting in the living room of his house at the dinner table playing a game of Patience. His wife sits in an old dark red fabric chair covered with yellow flowers stitched on the fabric. She is knitting a sweater.

The two don't say a word to each other. The only sounds in the living room are the sips that John takes from his can of beer, followed by burping sounds and an occasional sniff from his nose, and the sounds of the cards he is laying on the table. The other sound is the clicking of the needles and an old clock ticking on the wall. This goes on for hours and despite the peace and quiet, the atmosphere is tense somehow. One of the two doesn't dare to say a word, afraid of the other.

Suddenly after the clock rings twelve, John looks up and stares out the window. It's pitch dark outside and the only thing he can see is his own reflection. He loses his concentration and stands up without saying anything. He walks to a cabinet and picks his riffle and then walks to the front door and opens it. As he stands on his verandah he looks at the direction of the closed entrance gate.
He growls as he is expecting something. But the only thing he can hear are crickets and the sound of the wind going through the leaves of the trees. He stands there for five minutes, not being bothered by the cold.

Suddenly after some time two lights appear and a 2020 black BMW 7-series M sports car is slowly approaching and stops in front of the gate. The passenger door opens and a dog steps out and opens the gate. John points his riffle at the gate.

''Who goes there! Name yar' self, stranger!'' he yells.

The other dogs turns around and can be heard sighing annoyed.

''You crazy old fool!'' he yells back aggressively. ''It's me you binface!''.

John lowers his riffle as he watches the other dog stepping inside the car again and driving towards the house where he parks the car next to John's ute. The dog steps out again, walks to the gate to close it again and then walks back to John.

''Sorry mate. Didn't expect anyone at this time. I thought ya would come back next week?'' John says to him.

''Change of plans Dad. Got an extra week of vacation, paid by the boss. He is celebrating something stupid he won and they are going to redecorate the office. So they won't need me. I have been driving around Australia for almost a week now, about five days now. It's not right around the corner you know, Brisbane. Takes a while to get here, but here I am''.

John chuckles. ''Good on ya!'' and slaps his hand on the shoulders of his son as they both walk back inside.
As they step in the living room, John starts talking to Doris. ''Look who's here Doris. Our money saver, the city boy!''.
Doris stands up and gives him a kiss and a hug without saying anything. Then she walks to the kitchen to grab some drinks and make a late night meal for their son. They sit together at the table and eat a sad looking meal in silence.

After diner, John plops down on the couch as his son keeps sitting at the table to finish the game of Patience. Doris walks in and give both men a beer before she decides to go upstairs to sleep. When she is gone, John's son breaks the silence.

''So, have they already send the new recruit or not?" John's son asks.

John just takes his first sip of the can, and quickly swallows it to answer. ''Yeah they did. Right away after you called me to tell that they were about to start that… uh… what is it called again?" he thinks as he rubs his fingers over his chin.

''The raid'' his son says.

''That! He was here the next morning. I have to say, never had such a speedy delivery, so thanks for that''.

''No problem'' his son answers back.

''Good picking as well mate! A border Collie this time. Hard workers, so I hope he pays off.''

The son sighs and rolls his eyes. ''That is something of the past dad. All breeds in this universe are the same. The differences in breeds is something from even way beyond your times''.
John waves his hand and ignores it. He takes another sip before going back to the conversation; ''Maybe I will spare the crown jewels on this one, unlike with the others in the past. I think this one could be a good candidate to breed with''.

His son turns around and looks in disbelief. ''Breeding? It's eleven or twelve years old. Little cunt can't be used for that. Besides you have to wait nine months for one new child that takes at least six years to grow up before it's of any use on the field or in the mines. Besides it's something from the past. Are you starting to get senile or something you old fart?''.

''Well… now you say it… yeah…you're right. What was I thinking?'' John says disappointed as he folds his arms over each other, offended by the words of his son.

''Believe me, the way we do it now is way more efficient'' the son says as he turns around again to his game.

John looks grumpy. ''I hope it is. Hope this one will last a bit longer this time. Can't you get more then one at the time? That's why I suggested it. I need more labour force to get things done around here. I'm getting older to ya know?!''.

His son grins smugly. ''No worries, already working on that. I discovered that this one came from a foster family who already have two children of their own. Two Heeler girls. One of the parents has to make just ONE (he points one finger up) mistake and I send the boss to them and those girls will be taken away and brought here before you can say 'Doris, bring me another beer'. One of them is the same age as the one in the barn, so that would be an extra hand to help in the field''.

John waves his arms in despair in the air. ''I don't want any more girls. We had one working here, and she was a disaster! Can't do anything right, always crying and just being useless. You know, the girl your boss took away from her uncle after accusing him of being a predator''.

''Well, you don't have a choice. Either it's going to be those two girls or no free labour slaves at all for a while. Cases like this are not for the taking every month you know? They just have to put me on the right case at the office and that is just luck. And even then I have to be given the right circumstances to get children here, without raising suspicion. It's not easy what I do for you dad''.

John rolls his eyes. ''Fine. Two girls then. How long will it take?''

''Oh not to worry about that Dad. Soon I think. My boss was so unfair to the father that he probably will snap or break down at any moment and if not… I will think of a scenario and set that in motion so that they have to be taken away from their parents. Worked last time''.

John laughs hard and slams his fist on the arm of the couch. His smile is so big that all six of his teeth can be seen, ''Hihihi, yeah I know you will and can pull it off. You're brilliant in that son!'' he says.

His son stands up as he finishes his game of patience.
He stretches and yarns. ''Well, it was a long drive to get here and now I'm tired. I go to bed, see you tomorrow at breakfast''.

He turns around and walk upstairs.

''Goodnight dad'' he says.

John waves at him. ''Goodnight Boris'' he says back.