Ch 2 P.8. Free Fall

Enough is enough. Marle had had it up to his eyebrows. He began to thrash and kick wildly. He screamed at the top of his voice, venting his rage and frustration. He pulled at the zip tie until it cut into his flesh. The wind grew strong and stung his eyes. There was a dull, thin roar in his ears, but it was all in vain. Marle could do nothing but wait.

As Marle calmed himself and stilled his breathing, several concerns surfaced. His credit account was substantial, but Marle had no one to leave it to. He hadn't bothered to make a will. He wondered what would become of his nice home in Sandersville. He saw his Ferrari in his mind's eye and grieved that it would end up in the hands of someone with no appreciation for a classic. Marle wondered if he would be remembered, or would the remembrance of him be snuffed out; someone who disappeared back in time, someone who didn't exist.

Would Hera Durham wake up tomorrow and remember Marle Linden? Tomorrow? Yeah, right! What a bitter loss, he thought as he shook his head. Hera had lips custom-made for kissing. Sadly, that was a nectar Marle would never taste. Hera had a body that cried out to be held in Marle's arms; he would not realize that delight. Marle squeezed his eyes tight and strained, but Hera's angelic face faded to green.

Marle opened his eyes to the green wave. The wind was against his back, and his arms were raised above his body. Was he falling again? Oh well! There was nothing to do but fall. He noticed the orange-colored fabric, stark against the bright green. It flapped in the wind, making no sound. Yes, Marle was falling back first again. He had not noticed the slow roll, but he didn't care.

Karma had him in a tight fist. So what! Marle cursed his fate; bring it on, he thought. He had faced danger before. He was man enough to stare down an uncertain future. There was that time he went deep-sea fishing with friends and fell from the ship. He found himself among tiger sharks. They circled him, rubbing their imaginary hands in delight. What a windfall! Right? Did Marle vex out? No, he slapped the water. No fear, no chills, no sudden heart attack. Marle was a man. Yeah, bring it on.

“Is it big?” asked Hera

“Very,” Marle bragged.

Of course, Marle had his faults; he was just a man. He was proud of his Ph. D.s. He had five of them. He was proud that his memory was nearly photographic. Why not brag? He was proud to be well endowed, and so were many of the women in his life. Was that wrong?

What did it matter? Why did life bless him in such ways only to dump him in a green hell? At the moment, Marle was not sure he had been blessed. What if it was all a setup? What if, like a stupid fly, Marle had walked into a Venus Flytrap? It had all been so easy. It had been very tempting. He didn't think it through. He didn't see it coming. Against the green wave, what good was physical prowess? What good were his five PhDs?

“So, don't be waving your PhDs under my nose,” said Rowan. “I got no use for them. Practical experience and hard work earn your meal ticket.”

“Know-it-alls make me gag.” Said Rowan. “Doctorates? Don't make me laugh. Hard work and blisters, mister.”

Damnit! Marle began to thrash in anger. He pulled at the zip tie, and it held. If he was going to die, if he was going to spend eternity in a green hell, the last thing Marle wanted in his head were the words Rowan spoke. That was too much.

“Fucking green wave!” screamed Marle. “Let go of me!”