Chapter Three  
 
 

Chapter 3
Greenfield, California
Just before sunrise.
December 27, 2011
 

    The dinner the night before had ended with Etienne maintaining his curious silence.  Duvall and Castenada had escorted Sofia back to the machine and stayed on to watch her do her eleven o'clock news feed to the network.  Belinda had come down after she got the kids to sleep.  They all stuck around until midnight to see what would happen. Midnight came and went and the machine did not change its message:

   "Wait until tomorrow."

When they knew nothing was going to happen til dawn Vic, Etienne and Sofia headed home to get some much needed sleep.  Most of the crowd went home too, though many camped out to hold their place in line.  They hoped that Day 2 would begin at sunrise.  The crowd had begun to swell again after about 5:00 a.m.
    Sofia was at her post, cameras rolling.  Castenada and Duvall had made sure that Belinda came too, and brought the kids with her.  If Rodolfo had been first at the machine, and the machine was keyed to him, they were going to try to get him to the ATM as discreetly as possible.
    The three lines that had begun to form the night before were so long, one couldn't see the end.  Castenada was worried about how they were going to get Rodolfo to the front of one of  the lines without attracting the crowd's attention or anger.  The machine solved their problem for them.  As light began to spread the machine underwent a transformation.  Quietly and surprisingly without anyone noticing, it had expanded from a triangle with three screens, to a six sided star with twelve screens.  The crowd didn't even flinch.  They were immune to shock.  But in the slight moment before the new lines could form, Duvall and Castenada had simply stepped in front of one of the new screens and waited. They were poised to move.
    All these efforts proved to be in vain.  Lana Carson had grabbed the first spot in one of the original lines and held it through the night, and she was not about to be bested.  As the first morsel of sunlight peaked over the Santa Lucias she had her hand on the screen. Her screeching wail of a complaint could be heard by the entire assemblage.  "So who the hell is Rodolfo, and why does he get to go first.  That's not fair.  I waited all damn night and I want my money."  A vicious murmur passed through the crowd.
    Castenada nudged Rodolfo forward.  Rodolfo didn't know what to do.  Castenada and Duvall tried to shield him from the view of the crowd, but Lana Carson had seen it.  Rodolfo put his hand on the machine, and out popped his hundred dollars.  Lana applied her hand and received her Daily Bread and began to yell at the top of her lungs, "It's Rodolfo.  He turned on the machine.  Rodolfo, Rodolfo, three cheers for Rodolfo."   The crowd picked it up, their relief turned into elation and Rodolfo was their hero.
    Castenada pointed it out to Etienne.  A coin slot at the bottom of the ATM.  Today's take included 27 cents in change.  He then chanced a glance at Belinda.  Maybe they should have told her.  Vic and Etienne looked at each other and shrugged.
    Belinda followed Rodolfo to the ATM and she and Mango got their money.  But she was angry.  She wasn't sure exactly why, but she knew that Vic and Etienne had known what was going on, and they had left her in the dark.
 

    At the moment that Rodolfo touched the machine, nine hundred and ninety-nine other ATMs appeared around California.  The siege of Greenfield was about to be lifted.
    Earlier that morning, a single machine each had appeared in Juarez, Mexico and Panama City, Panama.

Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico

    Esperanza and her father had made their way down Monte Alban the day before and hid outside their house until dark.   Valente was terrified.  He snuck inside and got some food and blankets and headed back into the brush.  He was determined to hide out until what was happening had stopped happening.  They had lain down within sight of the house, and then fallen into a deep sleep.
    Esperanza dreamed a vivid dream.  She dreamed that she was running and someone had tried to kill her.  La sandia, the watermelon had saved her.  And then she and her father had kept running until they had come face to face with the white boar.  They had stood motionless.  The boar pawed the ground, kicking up huge clouds of dust.  She was sure the boar was about to charge when she heard the music again.  The same music she had heard when the box had appeared on top of Monte Alban.  The old gringo came walking up and the boar was transformed.  Instead of a ferocious beast, he was a playful piglet.  She had even petted the animal.  She saw the old gringo walking away.  He had turned and called her name.  "Esperanza, Esperanza..." Then she awoke.
    Sergeant Valdez was staring down at her.  She was terrified.  He began to speak.  It was the same face as the man who had imprisoned her the day before, but a different man.  "Mija, do not worry.  I will not harm you.  Gracias to the blessed Virgen for protecting you.  Come, we'll take you and your father to your house.  You can rest and wash yourself.  As God is my witness mija, as long I live no one will ever harm you again.  Come let's wake your father and we will take you home."
 

Greenfield, California
 

    Sofia got the word on her ear piece first.  She had waited for a commercial break and then called Castenada over.  "They're all over California.  Hundreds of them.  Reports are flooding in.  Furthest north Eureka, furthest south San Juan Capistrano.  Looks like we're not the only show in town anymore Vic."
    "Thank God for that.  Maybe things will get back to normal around here," he laughed as Belinda and Etienne walked up.
    "Why didn't you guys tell me about Rodolfo?"  Belinda fumed.  "And don't try to tell me that you didn't know.  I didn't spend my whole life stooped behind a broccoli harvester.  You guys tried to set it up so Rodolfo would be first.  Is this gonna keep happening every day?  I mean if he's gonna be the on/off switch for this thing.  I want to know about it."
    "That's just it Belinda.  We don't know.  We had a report that the machine in Mexico wouldn't work the second day until a certain girl used it.  But we didn't know if it would be the same with Rodolfo," Castenada pleaded their case.
    "So we thought we'd wait and see, without worrying you, Belinda.  We really were trying to protect Rodolfo," added Etienne.
    "Well I guess I can let it go this time.  But boys I don't mind saying that I think the both of you know a whole lot more about what's going on than you told us so far.  And I just hope you ain't using my son for yourselves.  I love him you know."  Belinda turned on her heals and headed home with the kids.
    Sofia looked at Vic and then Etienne until they both squirmed, then said, "You know I think my sister is right.  I think you both been sandbagging since the beginning."  Sofia paused for effect and suggested, "Why don't we get a little lunch later down at the old Estrellita Cafe, and I'll let you fill me in on the whole story."
    Duvall shuffled like a kid caught passing notes in class, so Castenada came to the rescue,  "We'd be delighted Miss Robles.  I think things are gonna calm down considerably here now that we're not the only game in California."
    "Yeah, I'll get a story filed.  Lunch.  Lunch is good," stammered Duvall.
 

    Preston, Noe, and Ernie just stood and watched the mornings activities transpire.  The rumor that the machines had spread throughout the state moved through the crowd quickly.  Ernie nervously broke the silence, "Well maybe now the governor'll do something Boss.  I mean it ain't just little ole Greenfield no more."
    "What the hell you talkin about Ernie.  If that bastard couldn't do nothing about one machine, how the hell is he gonna stop hundreds.  This here is a local problem, and we're the local solution.  We just gotta wait for the cops and news cameras to get the hell out of here and there won't be a big enough piece of that commie trash to make a soda can."  Preston finished his rant and looked at Noe.  Preston saw the old cynical smile coming back on Noe's face.  It made him smile too.
    "Let's get to work boss.  Let's see which one of those lazy Mexicans showed up today."  Noe headed to his truck and took off leaving Ernie and Preston alone.
    Preston was glad to have the old Noe back.  And he had Ernie to brow beat.  "Well what the hell ya waiting for Ernie.  We got broccoli to harvest." The world didn't look so bad anymore.
 

Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
 

    Sergeant Valdez brought Esperanza up to date on what had been happening around Mexico.  It was small talk, but it was all he could manage.  Valente was watchful, ready to make another break if the opportunity presented itself.   But Esperanza knew that something had changed.  She was a good judge of character, and her sense told her that this man had recently met his demons, and the demons had lost.  She trusted him.  Though she really had little choice, Esperanza truly believed that God had sent her this man.  If the last two days were any indication, she would need him.
    "The Capitál is in an uproar.  The traffic in and out is not moving.  My niece is your age.  I talked to her on the phone today.  She told me that the stores are doing business like they have never done before.  The markets and the street vendors too.  She and her dad sell wool sweaters and blankets.  They're all made in our village.  They sold everything they had last night.  My brother is on the way there with everything else they have made.  But there's so much traffic Esperanza.  I hope they can get through."  Valdez was now on a manic talking  jag.  He just wanted Esperanza to feel safe.  He could see that she did, and that made him want to talk all the more.  He wanted her father to feel the same, but he knew that was going to be a tougher sell.  A call on his radio stopped the monologue.  "Yes Captain.  Yes sir." he answered.
    "Esperanza, that was my captain calling me to tell me that the bank machine on Monte Alban is asking for you again.  It won't work until you use it first.  None of the machines in Mexico will work without you.  I won't force you to go back there if you do not wish to, but I think you would be safer if you did.  The only other thing for you to do is run far away from here.  If you wish, you go wait inside and I'll take the troops away long enough for you and your father to get away.  But then everyone in Mexico would be looking for you.  And you couldn't come home.  It would be difficult," Valdez was almost pleading.
    "How do we know that you won't just take us prisoners again up there?" Valente snapped.
    "You have only my word.  But I swear by the Blessed Virgen that anyone trying to harm or detain this child will have to kill me first.  I have no other guarantee to give."  Valdez sat almost weeping.
    "I believe you se or.  But Perhaps it is best if we walk up," Esperanza suggested.  "It is almost as quick.  You must go all the way back to town to get the road, we walk straight up the hill."
    "That would be fine.  May I accompany you?"  Sergeant Valdez asked.
    "Please Papi, let Se or Valdez come with us.  I would feel safer?" Esperanza asked her father.
    "Yes mija, he can come with us.  And your soldiers?" Valente looked hard at Valdez.
    "I will send them back by the road," said the sergeant with a smile.
 

 
    Presidents Benton and Zorillo each gave a short address and then held a video linked news conference at nine eastern standard time.  Zorillo had spoken from Monte Alban but Benton had remained in Washington.  They both urged calm, and asked everyone to continue their daily routines as much as possible.
    "All the money in the world is nothing if the people do not continue to produce," advised Zorillo.
    "We do not know how long this phenomenon will continue, so I urge you all not to burn your bridges.  Live up to your responsibilities," added Benton.
    It was all predictable. Noncommittal comments from two politicians who knew as much about the situation as everyone else, absolutely nothing. Neither of them had the nerve to address all the people in Mexico who were waiting in front of the now silent machines.  They both, especially Zorillo, wanted desperately to know who and where was Esperanza.
 
Greenfield, California

    Castenada and Duvall sat in the chief's office.  "So you gonna come clean on who the old guy with the pickup is.  Or you gonna let me sit in the dark.  You know who started this, don't you?  Let me in on it Etienne.  Hell, it was me who called you here.  I haven't seen you write one word.  So I know you aren't reporting this. You aren't even telling Benton what you know.  What the hell are you up to anyway?" asked the chief.
    "Vic, you wouldn't believe me if I told you.  You know what a potlatch is?"  Etienne asked him.
    "A pot what?" Vic asked.
    "A potlatch.  It's something the Indians up around the Puget Sound used to do.  They got together every well... they got together often and gave everything they had away.  That was how you got status up there.  The more you gave away the bigger the person you were."  Etienne was gauging how much to tell.
   "So you telling me the Puget Sound Indians are behind this.. potlatch machine?  Where'd they get that kind of money?  The old timer's an Indian huh?"  Vic was getting confused.
    "Well I'm not exactly saying that Vic.  And the old timer is no Indian.  Well he did claim a little Cherokee blood.  But mostly Americano, gringo.  Virginian via the Ozarks.  I knew him up by Port Townsend, Washington, when I was a little kid.  And Vic, he was an old man then.  Already in his late eighties.  That'd make him over 110 years old.  It sounds like him, but it can't be him.  Can it?"  Etienne didn't know why he was asking Vic.
    Vic thought it over a minute, "Well after what has happened in the last few days I wouldn't doubt anything.  I wouldn't believe anything either without proof."
    "Proof is the one thing I'm damn short of.  Hell Vic, I don't even know where to start.  I guess it is time to let this out somewhere, and you're my best bet, or only bet,"  Etienne confided.
    "So let's hear it mystery man." Vic didn't know whether to push harder or let Etienne continue to beat around the bush.
    "If it is who I think it is, his name is Jasper Clark.  When I knew him, we both lived up in Washington on the Olympic Peninsula.  By a little town called Port Townsend.  It sits on the Puget Sound."  Etienne was too far into his story to turn back now.
    "I thought you were from North Dakota?" wondered Vic.
    "Ya gonna let me tell this or not?" Etienne was on edge.
    "Ok, Ok.  Tell me about Daddy Warbucks." Vic wanted to know what the hell Etienne was getting at, so he shut up.
    "Jasper wasn't rich, at least not that I ever knew.  He hated the rich.  Called them the spawn of Satan.  The only thing he ever owned that I know of was an old truck with a homemade camper on the back." Etienne settled into the story.
    "Just like Rodolfo saw?" asked Vic.
    "Yeah, that and his fiddle.  And he could play that fiddle.  He played at most of the potlatches.  Jasper loved the potlatch.  He said that it was the only human custom that had anything to do with the teachings of Jesus.  Claimed that it was the only thing that could save us from destruction by Jehovah." Etienne had never spoken about this to anyone, and he felt relief that he had a friend like Vic with whom he could finally share the load.
    "You're not going holy roller on me are you Etienne?" Vic asked cautiously.
    "I'm just trying to tell you what I know Vic." Etiene looked Vic square in the face, waiting for a response.  He wasn't about to lead his friend to a place he didn't want to go.
     "So go ahead and tell me more.  In for a penny, in for a pound, I guess." Vic was getting more curious.
    "The last time I saw him I was six years old.  He told me the next time we met it would be at the biggest potlatch the world had ever seen.  The best I can figure is that this is it."  Etienne had gotten out what he intended.  He thought this was about all Vic could handle for the moment.
    "An old Okie with a beat up truck.  Well it don't sound too feasible to me, but then what does right now."  Vic didn't really know what to make of the wild tale.
    "That's Arkie, not Okie, and Jasper had powerful magic Vic.  I wouldn't put anything past him, nor doubt his abilities.  He was a Wizard.  A Wizard from the Ozarks."  Etienne had to laugh hearing himself.  He'd waited years to say it out loud.
    "So how'd you know him?" Vic asked.
    "Jasper married my grandmother Minerva up in Washington after my grandfather died.  Minerva wasn't part of my grandfather's tribe.  When my grandfather died, Minerva just left.  It's funny Vic, white people always think Indians are all the same.  Minerva was an outcast where I'm from in North Dakota because she wasn't Métis.  She headed west to start over.  She met Jasper out there and married him.  They had a daughter together.  My aunt Yolanda.  I stayed with him and my grandmother and aunt for a while when I was young.  That's how I knew him."  Etienne figured Vic had heard about all he could handle, so he shut up.
    Vic sat for a minute and then asked matter of factly, "So I guess that makes him your step-grandfather Etienne?"
    "I guess that's right Vic," agreed Etienne, and they both doubled over laughing.
    "OK, I believe you that its a wild story.  Couldn't possibly be true, but that makes it feasible in this situation.  I think right now I'm gonna go give Aaron Witt a little visit and see what he knows about a little red wagon."  Vic needed a little distance to take all this in.
 

    Preston and Ernie were all smiles when they saw the broccoli machine going through the fields.  They walked up to Noe who was standing at the end of the row that the machine had just harvested.
    "Well we got about three crews back in today," Noe said cheerfully.
    "Three crews Noe.  We had twelve yesterday.  I got broccoli in the field I already paid for.  You better push those sons a bitches," growled Preston.
    "Yeah Noe, we could be in real trouble here," Ernie said.
    "Well boss, I don't know how hard I can push.  Everybody is different today.  They ain't...ain't, well they ain't scared boss.  If I push too hard they might just leave," said Noe almost whining.
    "What the hell is wrong with this picture.  I swear I'm gonna blast that machine to kingdom come.  The whole friggen world is being stood on its head," Preston screamed as he flew into his umpteenth uncontrollable rage in the last two days.
    "Boss, I don't know what else to do.   Even the wetbacks look me right in the eye.  Yesterday, they was like little rabbits, scared of their own shadow.  Now I don't know how to treat em.  What am I supposed to do, be nice to them?"  Noe was beside himself.  Apologizing in front of Ernie was one thing he never figured he'd do.
    Preston was at a loss and he just turned and walked away.  When Ernie discovered that he and Noe were alone, he almost ran after Preston.  Noe paid not the slightest attention to him though.  He was busy adjusting to a new world.
 

    Efrain Mendoza had been at the union hiring hall since early in the morning, but he had little to do other than take calls from angry growers and harvesters.  They all needed people.  Some had understood that is wasn't his fault, but others simply vented on him.  Gil Tanzini came in and stood waiting by his desk.  Mendoza held the phone away from his ear and Tanzini had to laugh.  Someone was yelling to beat the band, and Mendoza had nothing to offer.  He finally got off the phone and motioned Tanzini to sit down.
    "I'm hurtin here Efrain.  What you got for me?" Tanzini was at heart a pragmatist.  The ATM, to him, was no different than an early frost, or a devaluation of the peso.  It was just something that was real and had to be dealt with.
         "I wish I could tell you some good news Gil.  But you know where everybody is.  I got nobody to send you."  Efrain never minded telling Gil Tanzini exactly what the truth was.
    "Efrain, I got crops that'll be garbage in about three days unless I get some crews out there.  I had three hundred people yesterday.  Today I got around thirty."  Gil didn't want to overstate, but this was a crisis.
    "Maybe the novelty of this machine'll wear off in a few days, and they'll just come on back," suggested Efrain.
    "You think if I offered a raise it might change things?"  This had been on Tanzini's mind since the beginning, but he did not want to suggest it.  He especially did not want to be the first to suggest it.  It wasn't that he minded paying the money, especially since the price of broccoli was headed up like a rocket.  It was just that he had to live in this town.  His friends were all farmers who took a pretty firm stand on wages.  They presented a united front, and that kept things .. well, normal.
    "I been telling you guys to raise wages for a long time.  I'll float the idea.  But I couldn't guarantee anything in these circumstances, but Gil, I'll give it a try.  Come in a little later today.  Let me ask around."  Mendoza's phone was ringing again before he got out his last word.
 

    Castenada and Duvall pulled up in front of Aaron Witt's house.  His truck was still parked in front. They got out and headed up to the front porch.  Castenada knocked and knocked again.  A scruffy headed, bleary eyed Aaron Witt stumbled to the door.
    "What's up chief?" he mumbled.
    "Not much Aaron.  I was at Belinda's last night and someone stole her little boy's wagon.  We heard something outside, and I thought I saw you walking away."  Castenada watched Aaron closely.
    "Well you got me chief.  I was at Belinda's but I didn't take any wagon.  I was just coming to see Sofia, and I saw all of you there.  I just figured I'd wait," Aaron lied.
    "You didn't happen to see who did take it?" pressed Castenada.
    "No Chief, I just headed on home..  And hey... I'm runnin a little late today, so if you don't mind."  Aaron could feel Castenada's scrutiny.
    "Nah, I don't mind Aaron.  If you see a little red wagon anywhere, just give me a call."  Castenada did not press further, just leveled a steady gaze at Witt.
    "No problem.  Hey, that machine still spitten out money?" asked Aaron trying to change the subject.
    "Yeah, still going strong.  But they're all over the state now, so the jam up here in Greenfield is over."  Castenada looked at Aaron hard, trying to figure out how a guy who had so much going for him could be in such a state.
    "By the way, this is my good friend Etienne Duvall," said Vic putting on his best manners.  "Etienne, Aaron Witt."
    "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Duvall is it?"  Aaron came out on the porch to shake hands.
    "Like wise, and yes, it's Duvall,"  Etienne said.
    "Not Mexican then huh?"  Aaron asked.
    "No not Mexican," responded Etienne.
    "You will give me a call if you see that wagon, won't you Aaron." Vic wanted to reinforce that this was not a social visit.
    "You bet.  See you boys later,"said Aaron, trying to act cool, but not quite able to pull it off.
 

Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
 

    Esperanza, her father Valente, and sergeant Valdez got to the top of Monte Alban at about nine thirty.  The crowd of security guards and press parted as if a powerful force pushed them back.  Sofia walked across the huge central court yard and climbed the center pyramid in a strange and tranquil silence.  She went straight to the ATM and placed her hand on the mark, and the money dropped from the slot.  The crowd broke into a deafening cheer that resounded all around Mexico, because the other nine hundred and ninety-nine ATM machines started to function at exactly that instant.
 

Greenfield, California
 

    Sofia took her break for lunch and went over to Belinda's house.  She wanted to make sure that everything was all right.  There was a small knot of men gathered talking across the street.  She knocked and started in, but the door was locked.  Rodolfo opened up and she walked in.  Belinda was just coming out of the kitchen.  "What's up sis?" asked Sofia.
    "Well it looks like Rodolfo has a following.  It's scary Sofia.  What if that thing needs him every day.  Is he gonna be safe?"  Belinda looked to Sofia for reassurance.
    "He should be even safer Bel.  Everybody likes the machine.  I mean everybody wants their money." Sofia tried to convince he sister.
    "I know at least one son of a bitch who doesn't like it.  That Noe.  He'd kill anybody who messes with him.  And that machine messed with him.  So don't try to tell me everything is all right.  All right!"  Belinda was feeling the pressure and it was showing.
    "All right Bel.  Vic and Etienne invited me to lunch.  Want to go?  We could see what they're preparing to make sure that Dolfi is protected," said Sofia trying to soothe Belinda.
    "You go ahead Sofia.  I don't feel safe leaving the house.  Look at those guys across the street.  They give me the creeps. Besides you know its you that Vic and Etienne want to see." Belinda felt herself falling into old patterns of self doubt.
    "You know that's not true.  They like us both, and you know it.  We had a nice dinner last night.  And your business.  Aren't you going out again today?" asked Sofia.
    "My wagon's gone. And I'm scared.  I couldn't risk something happening to Rodolfo.  You really think Vic liked me Sis?" asked Belinda hopefully.
    "What's not to like Bel.  I wish you could see yourself through my eyes.  You stay here with Dolfi.  I'm headed right now.  I'm gonna get some answers from those two.  You're not alone in this Bel.  Let Mango go with me. It'll give you a little break.  I'll bring her back as soon as we eat, and I can let you know what's up."
    "OK, OK.  I know sis."  Sofia gave Belinda a big hug, grabbed Belinda's daughter Mildred, a.k.a. Mango,  and headed to the Estrellita Cafe.
    "Can't I go Mom?"  pleaded Rodolfo.  "I been inside all morning.  Please."
    "Rodolfo, I told you, you can't go out.  Now just go to your room.  I don't want to hear any more about it," Belinda shouted.  Rodolfo ran into the bedroom and slammed the door behind him.
 

    It was more than Aaron Witt could handle. To have Sofia close enough to touch and still be removed from her world.  And now these two "Ranger Ricks" rubbing his nose in it.  He decided to take a drive up the Arroyo Seco.  It was beautiful this time of year, and besides he had a pound of green bud hidden up at the family cabin at Fred's Camp.
    It only took about three minutes to get out of the valley and into the lusciously green hills of the Arroyo Seco.  The "dry canyon" was anything but dry in the winter.  Rains usually came in October, and this year was no exception.  November saw the grass sprouting, and by Christmas the whole area looked as green as Ireland.  Or at least pictures he'd seen of Ireland.  Green, green, Greenfield, green weed, green hills.  He wondered what the hell Noe and his father were doing with Belinda's little red wagon?  He wanted no part of any part of this, he just wanted to see Sofia.  He popped a beer and headed west into Essalon country.
 

 
    The Estrellita Cafe was so crowded that Castenada and Duvall had to wait fifteen minutes before they slid into a booth.  This was the first time Castenada could remember having to wait for a table in the Estrellita.  Business was good all over.  They opened their menus and were greeted by a new set of prices, pasted on with post-its.  Fifty percent increases across the board.
    "You think she'll show?" asked Etienne, a little too anxious.
    "Sure Romeo.  She wouldn't miss lunch with her mystery man, would she?" Castenada joked.
    "Or her knight in shining armor.  She could have a preference for men of action. You know, the strong silent type,"  responded Duvall.
    "OK, OK.  What about Belinda and Rodolfo.  That's gonna be a real problem.  If he is the daily on/off switch, he's going to attract a lot of attention.  What should we do, hide him?  Post a man there?"  Vic was seriously worried.
    "I don't think Belinda would mind if you took the duty Vic.  And don't look now, but here comes the star of this show."  Etienne rose to greet Sofia.
    Sofia entered the room and heads turned.   It was the same reaction she got in every room she entered.  She was used to it, as used to it as a person can get.  She knew her looks were why she was on TV, but she wished it were different.
    She slid in beside Etienne, and he gave Vic a quick wink.  "Well fellas I'm hungry for food and information, so let's order so I can start to pick your brains.  I just left Belinda's house, and there was already a group loitering about across the street.   I hope you guys got a plan on how to keep Rodolfo safe."
    "We were just discussing that Sofia," offered Castenada.  "I think it's best if we post a man in front of the house.  And don't worry, I'll head straight over and light a fire under whoever is hanging around there.  They'll be gone this afternoon."
    "And you."  Sofia gave Etienne a not so gentle elbow in the ribs.  "Spill it.  Spill it all right now.  I know you got some idea of what's going on here and I want to hear it.  If you want to talk off the record I'll respect that, but I want to know what you know and why you're here."
    "Fair enough.  I'll tell you what I can.  But most of it is speculation.  Ah, saved by the waitress."  Etienne stopped talking and put his nose in his menu.
    Just as they finished ordering their food Preston Witt walked in and paused by their table.  He ignored Sofia and Duvall and spoke directly to the chief.  "What you gonna do about that damn machine chief?  It's killing this town.  We're facing a catastrophe unless something is done.  What the hell you gonna do chief?"
    "I'm open to suggestions Preston.  What'd you have in mind?"  Castenada loved seeing Preston Witt in a fix.  He was the easiest man to hate he had ever met.
    "Shut it down boy, or there'll be hell to pay," demanded Preston.  Without waiting for a response, he went and sat down with a group of other farmers, one of them Gil Tanzini.
    Duvall chuckled.  "Tough act to follow.  You OK Sofia?"
    "It'll be a cold day in hell before Preston Witt could ever get to me.  What an asshole.  Tough act or no, you better get talking Mr. Duvall." Sofia pressed on, not to be deterred.
    "Yeah Etienne, I think you got a pretty good story to tell here,"  Castenada said.
    "I know when I'm out numbered.  Well Sofia, have you ever heard of a Potlatch?"  Before Sofia could answer, a loud crash echoed through the room.
    Preston Witt had swept all the dishes from the table in front of him and he was now towering above a seated Gil Tanzini.  "If you do it you SOB, I'll ruin you.  I'll crush you like the pip squeak that you are.  Raise wages.  Let a bunch of goddamned wetback Mexicans jack you up for more money. You pissant SOB I'll ruin you." he shouted and stormed out of the cafe.  Everybody except Castenada averted their eyes from his gaze.  Mango started to cry.
    "I'm beginning to think that your secrets are safe Mr. Duvall.  I'm just not sure if that's a blessing or a curse." Sofia commented.
    "That's one that's puzzled me as well.  Listen, I've got a couple things to do, and then I promise I'll tell you all I know later this afternoon.  We need to think about Belinda now.  I am worried about your nephew and I feel I am some how responsible for what is happening.  There are just  too many coincidences," Etienne confided.
    "I wish I didn't know what you meant.  Just look at this table.  I'm the first reporter on the scene.  My nephew was the first to use the machine. Vic was the first law man there.  And you Etienne, I think you know who or what is behind this.  Does that make any sense?"  asked Sofia.
    "It makes more sense than you know," sighed Duvall.
    "Well, not to rain on anybody's parade, but I was the second lawman on the scene.  Carson was first.  I could get him over here if you two want to compare notes with him."  Vic smiled broadly, and then returned to serious business.  "Sofia, You tell Belinda we'll be right over.  I gotta go by the station and figure out who were going to put there, and then we'll be by," said Vic.
 
 

    Preston drove to his ranch fuming.  He was used to being deferred to, used to being followed.  What was Tanzini thinking?  Raise wages!  Production bonuses.  It was the farmer who took the risk.  It was the farmer who organized it, sold it, shipped it.  Damn commie jerk Tanzini.  Now was not time to cave in just cause the local Mexicans were feeling fat and happy.  There's millions more where they came from, he thought, and hungrier too.  Then Preston remembered that these damned machines were in Mexico too.  He pounded the steering wheel and got on his radio to Ernie and Noe and told them to meet him at his house.
 

    Vic and Etienne got to Belinda's just as Sofia was leaving.  They pulled up in front of the house, got out and went over to disperse the rubberneckers.  "You boys just get on about your business, and you got no business here," Vic boomed out firmly.  They mumbled and started to disperse.  One of them caught a glimpse of Duvall and pulled a quick duck and exit.  Castenada made him in a second, a pro.  A well trained pro.  Vic Castenada crossed back over the street to Etienne who was leaning against the car.
    "You saw him too?" asked Duvall.
    "A friend of yours?"  Castenada was in unfamiliar waters.  He had called Etienne here, and now he wondered if he still knew him well enough to trust him.  But whatever doubts he had were dismissed by the simple fact that he would sink or swim with his old pal.  He knew there was no going back.  In for a penny, in for a pound.
    "We run in the same circles.  But we've never been formally introduced.  You know, him coming in when I'm going out, and vice versa," Etienne started to explain when Carson pulled up and parked behind the chief's car.  He sidled up and waited for instructions.
    "OK Carson, I want you to stay here till I come back to relieve you.  Got it?" asked Castenada.
    "Sure Chief.  And speaking of relief, where do I go around here?"  Carson shuffled back and forth between his feet.
    "If it starts to back up, give me a call, and you can run down to the station."  Vic turned away snickering.  "Come on Etienne, let's let Belinda know what's happening."  Vic and Etienne knock on Belinda's front door.  Rodolfo opened the door and they go in.
    "Gee I'm glad to see you guys."  Rodolfo gushed.  "Mom won't let me go any where.  It's like I'm in jail.  It's not fair.  I didn't do anything wrong."
    Belinda came in from the kitchen.  "And you're not going any where until I know what the heck is going on and I can be sure that you're safe."
    "Well we just took step one Belinda.  We chased the crowd away and I'm leaving Patrolman Carson out front.  He isn't much, but nobody else knows that.  Then I'll be back to spell him for a while.  We need to make a plan for tonight and tomorrow.  We don't know if that machine needs him to turn it on in the morning or not, but if it does, we should be out in front of it.  And you guys can't stay cooped up forever."  Castenada felt himself blushing.  He felt a real need to protect this family, and he was pretty sure that Belinda and Etienne had both picked up on it too, which made him blush even more.
    "Well Vic, just knowing that you guys are here to help makes me feel a whole lot better."  Belinda blushed back.
    "Vic, why don't you drop us off down at that Oak Park that we passed on the way into town.  Leave us for a couple of hours.  That way we can all get some exercise and a little fresh air."  Etienne suggested.
    "Mommy, can we, can we.  I'll bring my soccer ball, my football, my frisbee.  Come on Mom.  Let's go, please."  Rodolfo was jumping around the room.
    "OK Dolfi, get your stuff.  I'll get Mango ready," said Belinda who was feeling the pressure of confinement too.  She was only slightly less excited than Rodolfo.  A trip to the park sounded great to her.
 

    Gil Tanzini knew what he was going to do.  "Screw Preston Witt," he thought.  He was going to save his business and he didn't care what Preston felt about it.  As soon as he finished his lunch, his second lunch, he walked down the street and into the hiring hall.  "Efrain what you got for me.  Can you get me some crews?"
    "Well Gil what are you offering?"  Mendoza had worked hard on this.  He hoped Tanzini's offer would be good enough.  He could be the labor negotiator to set the mark for this new era.  He could make his career.
    "Fifty per cent raise on wages. And ten percent of everything over ten dollars a box," Tanzini wanted a deal, but didn't want to offer too much.
    "Make that twenty-five percent on everything over ten bucks and you got a deal."  Mendoza was shaking with excitement.
    "Deal."  Tanzini extended his hand.
    Mendoza took it and shook it. "Deal.  You tell how many men you need and where you need them, and they'll be there tomorrow."  Efrain Mendoza felt he had finally accomplished something to be proud of.
    "Here's the list of my fields and what I need at each site Efrain.  I hope we both survive this."  Tanzini turned and left.
 

    Preston had Belinda's little red wagon filled with dynamite and sitting in the back of his pick-up when Noe and Ernie pulled up in front of his garage.  "We need two or three dozen cookies to put on top of this stuff.  Ernie you head for the bakery.  On second thought, I got a couple boxes in the kitchen.  We don't want to leave too much of a trail.  You go get em Ernie, Noe and I have a few things to discuss here."  Preston put his arm on Noe's shoulder and they walked into the garage.  Ernie went in Preston's house to get some cookies.
    "So we really gonna do this boss?   We really gonna blow this thing?"  asked Noe nervously.
    "You bet we're gonna blow it to hell, or wherever it came from.  Noe, you wouldn't believe what that idiot Tanzini is thinking about doing.  He's gonna raise wages, cut the damned wetbacks in on his profits.  I don't believe the little bastard is such a coward.  Well we're going to put the brakes on this crap today.  Ernie's a little chicken-shit and I'm too old, so you're the one who has to carry the biggest part of this thing.  Ernie will create the diversion and I'll clear things out, but your the one who has to get this wagon right next to the machine.  You up to it Noe?"  Preston was dead serious this time.
    "There's one thing I can tell you boss.  I can't run a crew that ain't scared of me.  I mean those pricks out there today, I don't know how to say it boss, but they ain't got no respect.  They don't know their place.  You can't run crews like that boss.  It just ain't right.  I'll do what it takes to get things back to like they was before.  Otherwise I might as well quit.  It just ain't no good like this."  Noe was trying to buck himself up.
 

    Aaron Witt threw another log on the fire.  The room was bathed in a soft orange from the fire in the huge rock fireplace.  It was still daylight, but the Arroyo Seco canyon was one big shadow this time of year.  Aaron went outside and walked down next to the river.  As cold as the water was down at the Thorn Road crossing, it was doubly cold here.  He could see his breath in the air, even when he wasn't exhaling smoke.
    What the hell was going on?  Why was Sofia shoved back in his life just when everything had begun to settle down.  Who was he kidding?  The only thing he had settled into was this permanent fog.  And now his father stealing kid's wagons from Sofia's sister's house.  He hated his father, and he knew he should have done something about it a long time ago.  Aaron wondered to himself why he hadn't left any number of times.  He had the talent to make his own life somewhere else, but he didn't have the nerve.  Everything had always been so easy for him.  He was a natural athlete, a good student, good looking enough.  He didn't have a problem attracting almost any girl he wanted.  Things had been great until he couldn't keep the one he really wanted.  She had wanted a real person.  A man who could stand on his own two feet, who could meet a challenge.  He was totally unprepared for the challenge.  Every thing always come so easy.   Why couldn't she see that.  Why couldn't she stick it out with him till he could get through this.  He knew he could have changed if he had her by his side.
    He drained the last of a bottle of Jack Daniels and threw it in the river.  Seeing the bottle fly through the air reminded him of the first time he really noticed Sofia.  He remembered being up in the gorge with Sofia and a bunch of other kids their junior year in high school.  The gorge area of the Arroyo Seco was a virtually unspoiled landscape.  He had finished a beer and casually thrown the empty off the cliff toward the river below.  Sofia had jumped his case for despoiling the beauty of the river.  It was the first time anyone had ever spoke to him like that.  Up until that point he had no concept of "nature" as anything other than something to own and dominate.  Sofia was completely unimpressed with who and what he was.  She made him feel like a worm, but later in the day she had let it go.  She had spoken her mind and then let it go.
    She was the most beautiful human being he had ever been around.  And he knew he had to be next to her.  Sofia was the only thing in his life he had ever really worked for.  And when they got together he felt like a new person.  Life opened up for him.  He read books, he wrote poetry, he started to experience the stream of life all around him, not as the heir apparent, but as a participant.  But then she had wanted so much from him.  She wanted the two of them to make their way alone, for him to give up all the privilege he had grown accustomed to all his life.  He had hesitated, long enough to lose her, and he never got her back.  He just wanted another chance to pull himself out of the hole he was in, but without her around him he didn't feel he had the strength.
    He watched as the bottle floated around the bend in the river and broke into a sob.  A moment later he headed back to the cabin and wondered if he would ever be really alive again, alive like he had been with Sofia.
 

Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
 

    Instead of a prisoner, Esperanza was now being treated like a princess.  As soon she had gotten her money and activated all the machines in Mexico, she and her father had been escorted by the President of Mexico to the terrace restaurant on the back side of the museum.  In all of her times to the top of Monte Alban, this was her first time in the restaurant.
    The day was brilliant and President Zorillo was deferential and graceful to a fault.  He was not sure of many things, but he was sure that if anything happened to this girl, he would be blamed.  He apologized to Esperanza for what had happened the day before and he assured her that nothing of the kind would ever happen again.  He informed her that facilities were being prepared here in the museum for she and her father.  He asked if there was anything they could do to make her feel comfortable.  Her only request was that Sergeant Valdez be put in charge of protecting her, because she believed he had been sent by God to keep her safe.  Zorillo immediately sent for Valdez and asked him to join them at the table.  They then proceeded to have the most wonderful dinner that Esperanza had ever eaten.
 

Greenfield, California
 

    Etienne Duvall could not remember having so much fun.  He and Rodolfo played catch with the football.  Shot baskets for an hour.  Belinda and Mango had hit the swings, the slides, and rolled around on the lawn. The soft glow that Belinda felt the day before was returning.  The last thirty-six hours had been full of more emotional highs and lows and new experiences than the whole rest of her thirty years put together.  She hadn't been to Oak Park in years.  It was beautiful and only three miles from town.  The park was set amidst a grove of huge live oaks preserved by the original settlers of the town.  The shade the oaks provided from the sun and wind made it seem like paradise
    When Rodolfo was little, she used to come here all the time.  But then she was still with  Rodolfo's dad.  It was before she knew she was poor.  He'd worked the lettuce harvest.  The first and second year she'd gone to Yuma with him in the winter.  The third year he'd told her it'd be better if she stayed in Greenfield.  That way he could live cheaper there and send money home. She thought it'd be better for Rodolfo so she stayed in Greenfield.  The fourth year he didn't come back.  She'd never heard from him since.  That's when she had gone to work.  After that she had little time for parks.  Sofia was fifteen at the time.  She remembered her little sister's determination to never let the same thing happen to her.
    Even though she wanted to see him, she was almost sad when Vic pulled up to take them home.  Rodolfo only complained once.  He'd worked up an appetite, and they hadn't brought any food with them.
    When they got to Belinda's house, Sofia was sitting on the porch waiting.  Things were considerably slower at the ATM.  With another machine sixty miles south in Paso Robles, five more thirty miles north in Salinas, and four on the Monterey Peninsula, Greenfield was returning to relative normality.  The other news crews and the police contingents were just waiting for their orders to move out.
    Vic sent Officer Carson home for supper.  Sofia went in with Etienne and Rodolfo.  Belinda and Vic stayed outside and sat on the porch.  "I'll stick around till Davis gets here, and then I'll be back a couple hours before sunrise.  I think its best if we get Rodolfo down to the ATM early and up in front of everybody.  That'll keep things calm.  If you're ready to start your cookie business again, we can go get that cart whenever you want."
    "Let's see what happens tomorrow," responded Belinda.  "If everything does stay ‘calm' I'll start thinking about selling churros.  It's Rodolfo I'm doing it for, and if he can't be safe, then it doesn't make any sense."  The afternoon at the park, and the support she was getting from Sofia and her new friends had restored her tremendously.
    "OK, here's my beeper number.  If the least thing odd happens, you get me on the line and I'll be here in less than a minute.  The pleasures of small town life.  Never very far away."  Vic put his hand on Belinda's shoulder.
    Sofia came out and gave them each a plate of tacos.  "Mom whipped these up.  Mango's already asleep," she said.
    Etienne followed her through the door munching on a taco.  "Ahh Sleep.  I think that sounds like a good idea for all of us.  Sofia's off  until sunrise, so you won't be alone here Belinda.  I think we've all had enough excitement for a while.  It'll be an early day, so Vic, get me to your couch."
     Officer Davis drove up and Vic went over to explain the duty.  When he finished he walked back to the porch and took his leave.  "All you have to do is call Belinda, and we're here."
    "I'll see you all in the morning, and thanks for everything."  Belinda threw them a kiss.  They all laughed.
    Sofia called out as they reached the patrol car, "You still owe me a conversation Mr. Duvall.  And tomorrow I will collect.  Good night boys."  Sofia thought of throwing her own kiss, but let a wave suffice.
 

    Preston and Noe got to the machine in the early evening.   There were still five camera crews and at least twenty assorted cops.  "What do you think boss?  I'm ready if you are."  Noe was firm in his resolve.
    "Too risky Noe.  We're gonna wait one more day.  By tomorrow night this place'll be quiet.  All this crap will be back where it belongs, out of my damn town.  Let's get on down to the Memorial Hall before that jack-ass Ernie blows himself up."  Preston was silently relieved.  He hoped something would happen before tomorrow night.  But if not he was fully prepared to act.