The Glass top Coffin (standard:drama, 2099 words) [5/12] show all parts
Author: Stephen-Carver Byrd	Added: Dec 31 2002	Views/Reads: 2602/1886	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
***Part 5*** The Antics Of Wally Perkins

“THE GLASS TOP COFFIN” 

***Part 5*** The Antics Of Wally Perkins 

By Stephen Bryan (HurricaneWarning) 

Jordan glanced at Wally sitting in the pickup then noticed him raise a
brown whiskey bottle to his face. The truck door opened, squealing like 
a wild bird. Wally walked straight to Jordan, flashing his bright, 
yellow teeth and slapped him on the shoulder, almost knocking the boy 
off the box. 

“Goddamn boy, ain't never seen you sitting out here that you ain't
munchin' on them their porker skins,” Wally teased. Jordan was fast 
with words and tongue, a skill he practiced constantly in his head but 
he had never used with an adult. He had taken enough abuse from this 
obnoxious, drunken, millionaire farmer and decided, even if it meant 
being belted, he wasn't going to take any more. 

“Mr. Perkins, why don't you eat what you like and I‘ll eat what I like
and everyone will be happy,” Jordan retorted. 

“Well let me tell you a thing or two about eting all them porker skins,
son. You ete maybe just one too many and you're liable to turn into a 
little piggy. Once that happens, might some dirty-minded farm boy just 
come along and do some disobedient trick on ya.,” Wally joked, 
exploding into a sickening laughter. 

Jordan looked up at him in total discuss. “Well, Mr. Perkins, if I ever
turn into a little piggy, I'll make sure I stay far away from your 
place.” 

At first, Wally's face looked a little confused then grew serious. “You
trying to say something smart there, boy?” 

“Well, my teacher once told me I was one of the smartest kids in her
class. Is that what you mean, sir?” Jordan replied with a smooth face. 

Wally started for the stairs, mumbling under his breath then stopped and
tapped his fingers to his side. He walked back to his truck, opened the 
door and pulled out a large brown grocery bag. The top was rolled 
tightly shut and Jordan could see that Wally had randomly punched a few 
holes in it. He also noticed that Wally was carrying it protectively 
away from his body. The bag rattled in a tizzy and Jordan realized that 
whatever was inside was definitely alive. It was something large and 
something that desperately wanted free. 

As Wally passed by, he quickly shoved the bag close to the boy‘s face.
Jordan leaped backwards, almost banging the back of his head again. 
Wally bellowed a huge laugh. “Got your worst nightmare in here, boy.” 

“I don't think so Mr. Perkins,” Jordan shot back. “Mine would never fit
in that bag.” 

Wally, glanced over his shoulder, mumbled again then started up the
steps leaving two large farts hanging in the air. 

Jordan was tempted to go inside to see what Wally had in the bag, but
then quickly decided against it, not wanting to be around the man any 
longer than absolutely necessary. The large open window above his head 
allowed the warm, rural summer air to stir lazily through the old 
store. The late afternoon countryside was in quiet solitude except for 
a few arguing crows somewhere in the distant fields. Jordan could hear 
perfectly every word spoken inside. He listened closely in slow 
breathing. 

“Wendil, that goddamn pet of yours outside sure has a smart-shit little
mouth on him,” Wally complained. “And when I say smart I ain't talking 
about no educated type eitha.” 

“Well, I always thought that is a good trait in a man, Wally. I sort of
like a person who states their mind right up front, no beating around 
the bush.” Mr. Moore defended. 

“Well, if he ain't careful with that mouth of his, somebody's liable to


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