LIFE FARM

LIFE FARM

Somewhere over the rainbow in a place called Kansas. We see fields of corn spread out endlessly across the country side. Somewhere out in those fields of corn, under a bright sunny sky, on a clear blue day. A man works on a plow tractors engine. Frustrated, he throws the wrench at the engine. He takes a moment to gather his thoughts. Sweat beading across his forehead, he dabs at it with an oil soaked rag. Seemingly, just another day in peaceful Kansas. A secluded setting with nothing around for miles and miles. Surrounded by stillness when its suddenly its interrupted by a sound in the distance. The roaring engine of a blue station wagon speeds down the empty stretch of highway. Steam pours out from under its hood. The man watches as the vehicle continues on showing no signs of slowing down. His presence completely unnoticed. The car takes a dirt road off the highway just as it begins to stall. Finally giving out in front of a mid-size house. Inside the vehicle is the young couple. Scott sits behind the steering wheel. In the passenger seat is Lorraine his female companion. Well... this is it. This is as far as we go" says Scott. Lorraine looks up at the house and its surroundings from her passenger side window. guess we should ask for help" continues Scott.

These people probably don't even have running water she says. "Youre so judgmental Lorraine" says Scott. Looking up at the house noticing the front door has been left open. Well looks like who ever lives here was raised in a barn" he says amusing himself and Lorraine. Undoing his seatbelt he exits the drivers door when suddenly Lorraine spots a young man dressed in overalls slowly approaching the vehicle from the side of the house. "Scott" she yells to alert him. The young man suspiciously looking over the vehicle. Lorraine presses down on her door lock. The young man stops short of the station wagon. Hi" Scott says in a friendly greeting." our cars overheating. Wanted to know if we could trouble you for a jug of water?" The young man does not respond. He seems timid. Inside the mid-size house is farmer Crow, an older man wearing his signature cowboy hat. He looks out the window through a thin nylon curtain. His wife May belle, a short woman dressed in a kitchen apron stands behind him. What do they want?" Asks Crow. "Aww now Crow. Their just tourists. Probably just lost and need directions" May belle replies. She then disappears back to the kitchen. Crow continues to study the unknown visitors. "They don't look like tourists to me" he says. Outside Scott and the young man are looking under the hood of the station wagon. Hot steam continues to rise from the engine.

"Only one I know who can help you is Guy Larson. He's the one who knows about fixing things" The young man says. Scott touches the radiator cap carefully not to get burned. still too hot, needs to cool down a bit" he says. "You people ant from around here are ya" says the young man. Were on Vacation. On our way to Big Valley Park says Scott continuing to probe under hood. Were you sent here by the government? the young man asks. Scott is surprised. The question distracts his attention from off the steaming engine. What do you mean?" Scott asks. Well... Crow's kind of paranoid about... Crow suddenly appears standing inside the doorway. Bite your tongue boy. Crow lashes out as he appears standing inside the doorway startling both Scott and the young man. Lorraine watches from inside the vehicle. "What my boy means is we don't see too many travels around these parts. Were not too fond of outsiders". May belle steps out from behind Crow. "Aww now crow" she says. "Something wrong with your vehicle?" she asks sounding every bit concerned.

"Started overheating a while back. Wed hoped to make it to the next service station" replies Scott. "Oh, you've got a little ways to go before that replies May belle. Lorraine finally exits the vehicle. "I bet the both of you are parched. Why don't yawl come in from out of this heat and Ill fix you both a nice cold glass of lemonade". thanks, that's nice of you" Scott says. They all gather inside the living room which resembles an antique museum. Scott and Lorraine sit on an old couch gazing around at the dcor of photographs and old lamps and end tables. Crow stands against a wall keeping a suspicious eye on his house guests. "So what brings you folks to this neck of the wood anyways?" says crow as if it were an interrogation. "On our way the Big Valley Park." Scott replies excitedly. Big Valley Park, Thats that preservation park isnt it? Thats right. Lorraines never been so we decided to take the back roads..." "Why's that?" interrupts Crow. "I'm sorry" Scott asks. "What made you decide to take the back roads is what Im asking" says Crow with a stern tone of voice. Just taking in the county side" says Scott. Noticing the tension in the room Lorraine attempts to divert the conversation.

"Its so beautiful. It's nice to get away from the hectic city and go somewhere peaceful." You both from the big city?" Crow says. His attention switches towards Lorraine. "Yeah, were from New York." You folks are sure traveling a long ways just to see some preservation park" responds Crow. "Wellnothing like getting out on the open road and taking in the scenery" Says Scott. May belle enters the living room carrying four glasses on a serving tray. Here we are Ice cold lemonade." Setting the tray on the coffee table, She hands a glass to Lorraine, then Scott and finally to Crow. Crow sips from the glass while keeping a suspicious eye on both Scott and Lorraine. May belle takes a seat on the couch next to Lorraine. Scott and his misses were just telling me theyre from New York." Crow informs. May belle seems surprised. "Oh, Really? Is that where that square place is?" she asks. Lorraine is confused for a moment. "Square Place?" Amused, Scott responds Honey, I think she means Times Square."

"Oh yeah, Times square. Big tourists spot. People from all over the world come to visit there" Lorraine says. "My wifes lived on a farm her entire life" says crow. Im afraid it's true. Never did much moving around in my good years May belle adds. How long have you two been married?" asks Lorraine. Our 20th Anniversary was just one month ago" May Belle says enthuastically. Oh how lovely replies Lorraine. Crows momma lives with us too. A hundred and sixty five she is" Lorraine is in total disbelief A hundred and sixty five? Wow." That is amazing says Scott equally amazed. They say now days people are living longer." Your family sure has a long life span Crow." Lorraine says. Crow stands there against the wall refusing to join in on the conversation. Yeah, Mommas still sticking around god bless her. May belle continues. And you've already met our son Wyatt. That boy's got a pure heart of gold. Has since the day he was born." Her lemonade glass remains untouched. One day he'll be running the farm and looking after the both of you" replies Scott. Is Wyatt your only child?" Asks Lorraine.

To her and Scotts surprise May belle suddenly goes silent. She looks over at Crow who continues to sip from his glass. Thats right, He's our only son. Says Crow, finally breaking his silence. He takes after his father. Respectful, hard working and keeps a sharp eye on suspicious characters." May belle appears troubled by something. She is unable to keep still. Oh dear, I umm... just realized I haven't taken my medication. You will have to excuse me for a moment" says May belle. Getting up from the couch, she quickly exits the room. Lorraine looks over at Scott. An uncomfortable silence has once again filled the room. The only sound is that of the ice cubes shifting in Crows empty glass. I... hope I didn't say anything to upset her" says Lorraine. Crow continues to sip from his empty glass. Not once has he taking an eye off of them. His stare almost oblivious like yet he is completely coherent. Oh it's alright. May belle often forgets her medication."