Tin Tuxedos

A new adventure with Sean Michaels and Ben Running Horse

Tin Tuxedos Prologue. . .

In Tin Tuxedos, Sean Michaels and Ben Running Horse once again experience an adventure that will change their young lives forever. In past adventures, they encountered ghost-like Native spirits, both evil and benevolent. The spirits are called Manitous or Manitouwabi. Two years later, they are mysteriously transported to medieval Scotland, where they meet two Scots youngsters close to their age. Sean and Ben are challenged by the two to an archery contest, in which they may lose their ability to return to the 21st century.

In this story, the author has written words spoken by the Scottish characters in a dialect native to that land. Although not a Scot himself, he grew up surrounded by relatives, friends, neighbours, and acquaintances born in Scotland who spoke in that dialect, never having lost their quaint accent.

The author is especially familiar with the accent and many whimsical terms of their everyday language. These terms are used throughout the story, but the explanations are woven into this tale of fantasy.

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Tin Tuxedos

The beloved shaman Simon Black Bear lay in state next to his Ojibwa community's ceremonial teepee. He had passed from natural causes in his 87th year. People from his reserve and others, along with hundreds from local non-native communities, attended to show their respects and mourn. Simon's widow, Amelia, was dressed in black, rather than traditional Native mourning dress. She missed her Simon more than she knew possible, and black was the only colour she felt could express her great sorrow. She held a single sacred eagle feather as her spiritual connection to her husband.

An Ojibwa person's body, especially one held in high esteem such as Simon Black Bear, is prepared by cleaning and dressing it. The body is wrapped in sacred birch bark to protect it from evil manitous before burial. Food and water are laid to rest with the deceased to help its soul travel to the afterlife. The Ojibwa believe the soul travels on a four-day journey to a special place. Those left behind pray and sing during this time.

A few weeks later, in Simon Black Bear's memory, Sean Michaels and Ben Running Horse visited the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) to once again see Makwa Misaabe's encased, priceless necklace. It was with the wise, old shaman that the boys and their fathers discovered the ancient cave and the spirit of the ancient warrior chief who lived there and wore the invaluable necklace.

While wandering the museum, the boys visited the medieval section depicting Europe's 15th century history and lifestyle. Not watching their time, Sean and Ben didn't notice it was well beyond the museum's closing hour. They were fascinated by two suits of armour, about the same height as the two 13-year-olds. "Do you think this armour was for boys like us?" Sean questioned, "The two suits aren't very tall."

"I think our teacher, Mr. McGregor, said people back then weren't as tall as people today," Ben replied. "Even Mr. Black Bear said people in the time of Makwa Misaabe, ten thousand years ago, were only about five feet tall."

With their youthful curiousity getting the better of them, they examined the historic armour, finding it had been assembled securely by the museum, with small bolts, wire, and other securing hardware. "I have my Swiss Army knife with me, Ben," said Sean mischievously. "Let's try to take these tin tuxedos apart, and try them on. Sean was quite proud for coming up with a new nickname for the suits of armour.

As the boys managed with some difficulty to don the complete armour, each became a little more comfortable. Before they placed the visored helmets on their heads, they both looked up at the massive skylight illuminating the room. Sean and Ben were apprehensive when a green-tinged sky appeared above them.