Damned Nation by Nick Pollota

Author:Nick Pollota [Pollota, Nick]
Format: epub
Tags: Science fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Wildside Press
Published: 2009-11-28T09:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Riding along Pennsylvania Avenue, Joshua had expected the Executive Mansion to seem different for some reason after his trials and tribulations. But everything appeared perfectly normal. Guess it's just me, he reasoned, urging Estelle off the street and towards the carriage house. Change the observer, and you alter the observations.

Using a pitchfork to shift a load of hay out a wagon and onto the floor of the carriage house, a stablehand paused in his work to raise a single eyebrow at the arrival of the former butler. “Is ... that the same horse you left with?” the man inquired, leaning on the pitchfork.

"Absolutely,” Joshua replied, hopping down from Estelle to guide the horses into a stall and close the door. “Give her a good wash and curry, please. I'll be leaving again in a few hours."

"No problem, sir,” the stablehand said, rubbing his chin. “One question, though. Dexter was a stallion, and this is a mare."

"It's been a long day,” Joshua answered wearily, snatching an apple from a wooden barrel full of fruit. Polishing the apple on a damp sleeve, the man hesitantly took a bite. When his stomach did not complain, the Marshall tried some more.

"Hey, those are for the horses!” the stablehand scolded, shaking a stern finger.

Giving a whiny, Joshua left the carriage house contentedly munching.

Heading for the armory, the man saw a dozen dogs chained to trees around the Executive Mansion, and the two guards at the front door had been replaced by a full platoon. He highly approved.

Sgt. Montgomery was out doing chores, but Private Johanson gave Joshua a bag of .38 silver bullets for the Starr. Joshua then deposited a wad of damp greenbacks on the desk, and ordered ten barrels of blackpowder, tins of fulminating mercury, a hundred sticks of guncotton, a gallon of nitro glycerin, and one fuse.

"Just one?” the private asked confused, making a crease in his forehead. “Did I hear that right, sir?"

"One. I'm giving a surprise party."

"Guess so,” Johanson replied, scratching his head. “And it's sure going to be a surprise to everybody else within a hundred miles."

I certainly hope so. Going around to the servant's entrance of the Executive Mansion, Joshua ordered a meal sent up, then went to his room and washed for a hour until he felt clean again. At least, on the outside.

Covering the numerous blisters on his hands with dabs of sticky plaster, Joshua slid on a pair of soft leather gloves to help keep them in place. The gloves were a Christmas gift from a former employer, and he had never felt quite right wearing them. Just a little too fancy for a butler. But now, the gloves seemed perfect.

A few minutes later, Millie arrived with the food. Hurriedly stepping into underclothes, Joshua pulling on a robe, and took the tray from the blushing girl.

"Is something wrong, sir?” Millie asked in real concern, studying his face “You seem ... different."

"Everything is different,” Joshua replied honestly, giving her the bundle of his dirty clothes to wash, then scooting the maid into the hall.

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