John Frum The Reluctant Messiah

Hatching A Plot

Ethan and Max leaned against a low brick wall watching the parade of undergrads and their parents making their way across the campus commons. Max took a long draw on his purple vape pipe and produced a white cloud nearly big enough to obscure the banner on the wall behind them that read:

WELCOME PARENTS! HAVE A SAFE AND FUN-FILLED SPRING BREAK!

"He lives," Max said, pointing at John as he jogged in. "Survived his near alien abduction I see."

Ethan smiled and greeted John. "Hey, you, Ok?"

"Shut up." John shot back. They both laughed.

Looking around Ethan remarked, "Remember when our parents used to come?"

"That would be no," John said matter of factly.

"Ahh...shit, sorry," Ethan said. John just laughed.

"I'll adopt you Ferrum," Max offered.

"God knows, you're old enough," John shot back.

"So, what did happen to 'em?" Max asked.

"Not really sure," John said. "They were researchers, in a jungle somewhere in the South Pacific. I was born there, something bad happened and my Uncle took me away, aaaaand...they never came back."

"Something bad? What kind of bad? I mean, did they get eaten by cannabis?"

John laughed and shook his head. "No cannibals Max. I don't really know and everyone who might know is very closed-mouthed about it. Every time I bring it up, I get nothing. They probably just stepped on some government toes and became political prisoners or something. I dunno."

Jay ran up, slightly winded. "Hey! Just said goodbye to my parents."

"They do know you're a graduate student, right?" asked Ethan.

"Yeah, why? Anyway, I just might have our ticket out of here for spring break. My Dad's company is doing some goodwill. They're going over to someplace in the middle of the Pacific to feed some babies and build soccer fields for some underprivileged kids. He wanted to know if we'd all go over and teach them the game. It's right on the beach."

"I'm in!" proclaimed Ethan.

"Yessss! Max shouted. "Is that anywhere near that Cargo Cult place? 'Cause we could film-"

"Max! Give it a rest," an exasperated John said.

Jay turned to John. "Hey, listen, the company Lear's only got room for three of us. It's a lot slower but I checked with my dad and I know Aiden is scheduled to head out tomorrow. Can you-"

"Done!" John cut him off. "Say no more - I am so there."

"If you head out tomorrow, we'll still probably beat you there," Jay added. "But hey, it'll just give us a chance to chill the beer before you get there."

Ethan approached John and quietly asked, "Do you want to head back over there? The bar, I mean. Check things out?"

John smiled. "You're a good friend."

"Good friend of a crazy man!" Ethan joked. Ethan turned down the tunes as they got closer to the Red Witch.

"So, what did this guy look like?" asked Ethan.

"Besides ridiculously scary?" John answered. "He was huge! I mean, HUGE. Had to be pushin' close to seven feet. Everything was big- his head, his hands... and ya know, something was messed up about his hands, but it was dark, and he came at me so fast. I honestly think I was blinded by a touch of panic."