Episode 4 - Tattoos

The group goes to see the Tattoo Artist in search of answers.

Written and Narrated by Rajiv Narang

Musical Score Composed by Rajiv Narang



Thank you for listening.

Keywords: fantasy, fiction, adventure, science fiction, friendship, story, action, mental health, mystery, Toronto, psychological exploration, self-discovery, fantasy fiction, supernatural

Transcript

The Lost Books

Angel of Aphelion

Episode 4

Seven and Eight

Four

James emerges from the upstairs hallway and walks to the balcony. On the main floor below, he sees K, Carissa, Asha, Eli and Nether searching the shelves.

"Looking for my book?" he asks. "Yes," says Eli.

"I'd like to join you," says James. "You can start on that row there," says K, pointing to a nearby shelf.

"The Wanderer," says James.

"The Wanderer," says K. "It's green…." "Pomona green," adds Eli. "Pomona green," continues K, "with the title written in white letters down the spine. And it's about this size…." K holds up a substantial novel-sized book.

"I have to say… I feel... energized after that meal... restored," says James. "There's a special quality to the food we ate at Palmer's Ridge," says Rowle. "It can increase focus, boost mood, and energize you. Taken in just the right combination, it can rejuvenate strengths you might not even have known you had."

"Does this mean you're ready to try plane-walking again, James?" asks K.

"As I recall, the Old Watch called it plane-walking. But James called it something else," says Eli.

"Realm-walking," says Nether.

"That's right!" says K. "Yes! I'd forgotten. I wonder why they each called it something different... Well? Are you two up for realm-walking?" asks K.

Having been through the experience, Rowle shakes his head. "We need to understand The Wanderer's capabilities better before we move forward. In your current state, James… the risks could be grave," says Rowle. "I'm with you on this one. It's just too great an unknown," says James.

"But even if you don't remember or get the Wanderer's abilities under control, maybe you'll feel strong enough... capable enough to help the boy. You could bring him here!" says Eli.

"I was told not to," says James.

"What?" says Eli.

"By whom?" asks Nether.

"By me," says James. "I left myself a message that said I MUST NOT bring him here -- that if I did... he'd be in danger."

Nether, K, and Eli stare at each other in bewilderment as Carissa and Asha cross the room to join them. "Everything alright?" asks Carissa.

"James left a message for himself in which he said his boy would be in danger here," says Eli.

"I've only been here a short time," says Asha, "but it seems to me that all the good people here would protect a child — every child." "I agree," says James, trying to alleviate some of the hurt his words may have inadvertently caused.

"I think I'll search down here," says Eli walking into the darkness of one of the aisles. K gestures to James that he'll be fine -- before following Eli into the dark.

The others return their attention to the search for the missing book as James turns to Carissa and Rowle.

"I didn't mean to hurt Eli's feelings," says James.

"Many people here are working through things, and there can be... sensitivities," says Rowle.

"What do you mean?" says James.

People rescued from the Lost Books often arrive here with particular... wounds they need to heal. They're processing trauma and trying to develop secure attachment," says Rowle.

"Secure attachment," says James. Carissa can see that James wants to understand.

"From our earliest years of life, we develop an attachment to our most significant people. To those we rely on for our very lives. We learn how to connect with them... or not. To build an attachment that is strong or not. Caring or not. Accepting, trusting, responsive, or not. And this attachment we develop in our earliest years colours every subsequent relationship we have — our relationships with others, our relationships with ourselves, our relationships to our work, our relationships to our own lives," says Carissa.

She continues, "When children have warm, caring, and responsive caregivers, they're likely to form strong and healthy attachments. If a person develops strong and healthy attachments, it's a gift that benefits them for the rest of their lives. If they don't, they can face lifelong struggles in many areas."

"People with secure attachment learn to trust, feel connected, and have successful and enjoyable relationships, careers, and lives. But, many never formed secure attachment and instead, they struggle with insecure attachment in one of its three types."

"Eli has what's referred to as anxious attachment. And struggles with feelings of not being worthy of love."

"Nether also has anxious attachment. Coupled with his trauma, it leaves him with a deep fear of abandonment."

"K and Shen have avoidant attachment. For them, close relationships are marked by pain, confusion, and distress. So they try to avoid emotional connections and often end up feeling isolated and alone."

"Did I have secure or insecure attachment?" asks James.

Suddenly, a loud CRASH draws everyone's attention to the front counter, where a recently smashed vase is scattered across the main room floor. "I'm so sorry!" says Asha as she peers over the counter. "K gave that to me for my room." She looks genuinely shaken, and James feels empathy welling up inside of him.

"Don't worry about a thing!" says Eli. "We'll have it cleaned up in no time," says K. "And we'll get you a new one," says Nether. "An even better one," adds K. All of them hoping to lift her spirits.

Dee walks out to the balcony to see what's going on.

"Everyone," says Rowle, "can you gather around, please." He sits at the head of one of the long tables. They can tell what he has to say is significant as they sit at the table. Dee, hesitant, sits at the opposite end from Rowle.

"What's going on?" asks Carissa. This question causes the curiosity of the entire group to intensify. Rowle speaks directly to Dee. "It's all right," he says to her. "It's all right. No one here will judge you." The others are perplexed. "But I do need you to tell me where you're really from," says Rowle.

"She's from The Sunset Highway," says K.

Rowle waits patiently for Dee to answer his question.

K turns to Dee. "We met you in the desert…

"But how did you get there?" asks Nether.

"She followed you in," says Rowle.

"What?" says K.

"How?" asks Eli.

Carissa, concerned, leans over: "Dee?"

Rowle continues: "It's all right. I know this must be scary for you. But none of us want you to feel scared. We just need to know the truth."

"You can tell us anything," says Carissa. "You're safe here. I promise you."

"You're not from The Sunset Highway," says K.

"No, I'm not," says Dee.

Eli feels a rush of fear and stands up on the bench. Alert. Ready. "Where are you from, Dee?" asks Carissa.

A moment goes by with no answer, and K feels a rush of panic, making it hard for him to concentrate. He gets up. "You're from outside, aren't you?" says K. "An outsider?" says Nether clenching his fist. "No. She isn't," says Rowle. "You found your way back here."

"I came from outside," says Dee, "but there's something about this place. Some… connection I have to it. It's… the first thing I remember. Or the last." "Your earliest memory is of this library?" asks James. "The first thing I really remember, like it was the very beginning of my life, was when I woke up in that alley," says Dee nodding toward the alley that lay beyond the doors.

"Your arm. Can I see your arm?" asks James.

Dee rolls up one of her sleeves to reveal a tattoo.

They all recognize the work.

"The Tattoo Artist," says Nether.

"The Tattoo Artist," says Rowle as he gets up. "I was going to recommend we take James there tomorrow. But we should go there now."

"To see the tattooist who…." James touches his arm.

"Yes," says Nether.

"I'll stay in case Shen comes back," says Carissa.

"So will I," says Nether.

Do you feel like taking a trip, Dee?" asks Rowle.

"I am a curious kind of person," says Dee.

"Let's get ready," says Rowle. And everyone disperses.

"I'd like to go with you," says Asha. "Of course," says Rowle.

After a few moments, K returns and places a small, tattered black book on a drafting table near James. "Here it is, Rowle," says K as he sets the heavy metal bookmark across the open book, then goes. "Thank you, K," says Rowle before striding off toward his study, leaving James, Dee, and Asha alone in the main room.

"You want to read that, don't you, James," says Dee.

In the middle of an Arts Market…

James, Dee, and Asha appear amid the dancing lights beside one of several large tents that fill a small park. As they step out of the portal, Dee feels a thrill run through her body. James feels the desire to go back and wait for the others, but when Dee walks into the market so confidently, James and Asha follow.

Artists of all types have booths and tents set up where they show their impressive works.

A man across the midway says, "Etchings, memories, choose the colours of your future life…."

"The colours of your future life? What does that mean?" asks Asha.

Undistracted, James sees a glass and white brick gallery facing the park. In front of the entrance is a beer garden with several patrons sporting tattoos.

"Over there," James says, leading them into the beer garden. He sees a brawny man, known as the Strong Man, with tattoos of exceptional artistry covering his arms.

"I'm looking for the Tattoo Artist," says James.

"I don't know who you mean."

"Yes, you do," says James pointing at the man's tattoos.

"I need to see the Tattoo Artist," says James.

"You know... you just brushed right passed me last time like I wasn't even here. You seem... so much weaker now. And where's that great purple protector of yours? Has he left you on your own? No. I can't let you in to see the Tattoo Artist now, mate."

"I need to see the Tattoo Artist," says James. The Strong Man notices Dee and Asha standing just behind James.

"I don't have time for this," says James.

"Look here. I have these three friends," says the Strong Man gesturing toward three brawny fellows. "I also have these three cards." The man pulls out three cards. "Now, these aren't just any cards. These are The Teller's cards. Did you know that the dreams you dream when you're sleeping are your mind's magic act? They purge all the thoughts and feelings you suppressed throughout your day."

"Everything you tucked away. Everything you kept hidden, even if you didn't know why. The dream is the "letting out" the setting free of what you suppressed to keep your mind ticking away Okie-Dokie-like. But dreams only share their stories in secret and symbolic ways. With each of these cards, my friends, you can understand every secret and symbol of a dream. You can learn to speak the language of your subconscious mind."

The strong man holds out the three cards with finely drawn pictures that glitter with an inlay of gold.

Dee, enticed, reaches for a card. "Not so fast," says the strong man. "You forgot about my three friends."

James looks over at the three men, one bigger than the next, drinking beers at the table.

"I'll wager these cards on feats of strength," says the strong man. "And, as a bonus, if you promise not to involve any... particularly large purple people, I'll let you see the Tattoo Artist. Do you have anything that might be worth wagering?"

Dee pulls a sparkling blue diamond from her pocket and holds the gleaming jewel out for all to see. It has the desired effect, and Dee has their attention.

"This for all three cards?" says Dee. "Where did you get that?" asks James. "One contest. Your choice," says Dee.

"And access," says James.

"Deal," says the strong man as he points for James to have a seat as the men clear their table.

Dee takes a seat in the chair instead.

The Strong Man scoffs. Scoffs again. Then, realizing she intends to compete, a feeling of suspicion stirs in the strong man. His three large friends jostle with each other to vie to be the one who gets to face Dee, but the Strong Man waves them off.

He looks to a distant table. The small crowd steps aside, revealing the back of a man with arms like tree trunks. The Arm Wrestler.

"Dee, I think we should go back and get Nether," says James. "Don't worry. This will be fun," says Dee.

Four times her size, the arm wrestler towers over her. She places her elbow on the table, inviting her opponent to enter the match. He clasps her hand, and she puts the blue diamond on the table between them. "Cards," she says. The strong man sets the cards on the table next to the diamond.

"I'd like a count," says Dee.

The strong man places his hands on the competitors' clasped hands and adjusts them to make them even. "Three, two, one, BEGIN!" and he pulls away.

The Arm Wrestler flexes his arm and heaves, but Dee's arm doesn't move. He heaves again, but she stays effortlessly and perfectly stationary. She nods to his free hand as he struggles to move her arm. On her cue, he brings his free hand into the match and sits there, heaving with both hands.

This causes Dee to have to exert some effort. They strain against each other, Dee with her one arm and the Arm Wrestler with his two. Finally, Dee lets out a yell, applies her strength, and slams the two hands of the Arm Wrestler into the table, defeating him.

"What in the world?" says the Strong Man.

Dee grabs the three cards and the blue diamond and gets up.

One of the three brawny men grabs Dee by the arm.

She pulls the man up off the ground, into the air over the table, and throws him over her shoulder.

Infuriated, the two remaining brawny men rush at Dee. She spins, tossing the first man aside and, in the same motion, turning into the other man with an uppercut; she lifts him off the ground. He lands unconscious at her feet.

"What a show! I'll give three to one odds that this sprig of a girl takes out five more before she's through," says the Strong Man.

Several men stand, pick up bottles and broom handles and advance on Dee and James. James can feel a panic course through his body, a powerful desire to flee.

Rowle steps out in front of James and Dee. The men stop instantly. Every one of them steps back. "Sorry, Mr. Noble. We didn't know they was with you," says the strong man.

"No harm done, eh?" he says as he gathers up his men and goes.

"I get the feeling you don't like to play by other people's rules," Rowle turns to Dee.

"You say that like it's a bad thing," says Dee.

"This way," says Rowle as he leads the group into the glass and white brick building. As they step toward the entrance, James sees Eli just ahead.

They enter a great art gallery with pictures spaced evenly along the walls. It's a peaceful space. A middle-aged woman sits at the table at the centre of the room, drawing. Her hair is tied back into a loose ponytail, and she has a tattoo across her forearm.

"Fi…" says Rowle.

His voice makes her smile. She turns to greet them. "Rowle," she says. They hug one another.

"Ah!" she says, looking at James and Dee. "Not quite as you were when you left."

"Nothing that we can't fix," says Rowle. "That! That right there is why you'll always be my favourite," she says.

"James, Dee, this is Fiona -- the artist who gave you both your tattoos. And, Fiona, this is Asha," says Rowle.

"I'm happy to see you all," says Fiona warmly.

"Did you do all of these?" asks Asha taking in one, then the next — each outstanding. "Yes," says Fiona.

Dee wanders off alone, looking at the images along the wall.

"Can I get one?" asks Asha. Fiona stands squarely in front of Asha and tucks back Asha's long black hair. "Mmm, no. Not a tattoo. You don't need one. Everything you need to display is in your eyes. But I could make you a print… I see a horse... and a storm."

"Do they all mean something, Miss Fiona?" asks Eli gazing at the images. "Everything means something. But did you know that something means everything?" she says.

James can feel a burning impatience gathering in him. He steps forward. "Excuse me, Miss… Fiona. I need to remember who I am. Is there anything you can tell me? Anything about a book called The Wanderer?"

"May I see?" says Fiona. James lifts his sleeve and shows her the tattoo of Nether and the message: "Don't forget us."

"A loving family is the basis of a humane society," she says, looking at the image.

"Anything I might have said when you gave me this?" asks James.

"You mean the second time you came to see me," she says.

"Second time?" asks Eli.

"When you came alone and asked me to hide something in your tattoo," she says. They're all puzzled. "Swipe the tattoo and watch Nether's right shoulder," she says.

James does and, for the first time, notices something barely visible written on Nether's shoulder. "Three of three," he reads.

"Three of three?" says Eli.

"Three of three…" says Rowle.

"What does it mean?" asks James.

"You never told me," says Fiona.

"Do you know what that means, Rowle?" asks Eli.

"I might," he says. "I have to do some research."

Dee walks from a far gallery corner to join them when she sees a picture on the wall that makes her stop.

Fiona joins her.

"You actually do know me?" asks Dee.

"What do mine mean?" asks Dee. She rolls up her sleeves to compare her two tattoos with the matching images on the wall in front of her.

The others watch, out of earshot, from across the way.

Fiona looks at Dee's tattoo. "This winged note of music in a sky of stars represents the bringer of the dawn." Then, Fiona holds Dee's other arm in her hands, "this black-winged bird grasping the sun represents the bringer of the night."

Fiona looks at the first tattoo: "I bring the dawn." She looks at the second, "I bring the dark." Fiona takes a step back to see James over Dee's shoulder. "Which will it be?" Fiona walks with Dee back to the group.

"Thank you, Fi," says Rowle. They hug their goodbyes, and Fiona whispers something to Rowle.

"It was good to see you all." Fiona returns to her easel.

"When will you let me take you out of here?" asks Rowle. "We all have our purpose, Rowle," says Fiona. "Someday?" asks Rowle. "You'll see me sooner than you think, I think," she says.

The group walks back to the door and departs.


Inside the Children's Wing at King James Hospital…

Ready sits in his bed. He looks around the room. Finally, he gets up, goes to the door, and pulls it open.

He peers out of his room and sees a PAEDIATRIC NURSE at her station. Ready approaches her.

The nurse looks down and sees him.

"Oh! Where did you...? What can I do for you? Are you feeling all right?" she asks.

"I want to see my dad," says Ready.

"Your dad?"

Ready nods.

"Your dad… went home," she says.

"What?" says Ready.

The nurse walks out from her station.

"Dad's alone?" asks Ready.

She walks Edmond back toward his room.

"He isn't feeling well. He doesn't have anyone to take care of him," says Ready.

"Don't worry. The hospital is trying to get things sorted out for you," says the nurse.

Edmond bolts and runs down the hall.

"Hey! Hold it!" she calls after him.

A hospital attendant steps into the hall, and Ready runs into him.

"Hey, fella, take it easy," says the attendant.

"Hold him," says the nurse.

They put Edmond in his room and close the door.

The boy waits a moment, then opens the door again.

The nurse and the attendant are standing right outside talking. The attendant turns to Ready.

"I'm sorry little fella, you need to stay in your room. We'll be in to check on you shortly," he says as he pulls the door closed.

Ready tries to talk to them through the door.

"Excuse me, please. I need to go home. My dad needs me," he says.