"After Roswell" - A.H. Roberts (the gingerbread man read aloud txt) 📗

pulling him back into his chair."I won't exactly teach you. Look just hold out your hand and I'll sort of pass it on to you". I take his hand. I will begin to flow my energy through him. A powerful rush of energy. I focus. Slowing my heart. While keeping one pumping at a rapid pace. Soon my eyes turn white from the electrical currents building up within. He raises from his chair with feet barely touching the ground. Split moments pass, as the transfer is complete. His body falls limp as I let his hand go. Falling back into his seat with head shaking from the power. He regains his mental balance. A brief silence as he finally speaks."What the hell did you just do there. Never saw that before". His hair is fizzled and the shock hasn't totally left his body."You have the capability to read the minds of others. Just focus on the individual and the rest will follow". I escort the magician out the door. He is still feeling the effects and looking at his hand. When he is turning around, trying to catch one more glance at me. I close the door on his face. I can hear him from outside, persuading me to open the door. "HEY! You didn't answer my question. HEY OPEN THE DOOR!" He eventually gives up and walks away from my room.
I'm not worry about the transfer of power. He will only be able to use it for a short time. The power will be enough for him to make pretty hefty sum of cash. But felt it was better he not know that. With the magician gone from my room I decide to hit the bed early. Get a good start on my first day of work. I stare with blank expression, trying to predict tomorrow's experience. I'm unable to fall asleep. Its daunting to know I now live two lives. Being human in this world and still holding onto myself. I try to forget who am I at this moment. A way to blend in better. So hard to push my own memories aside. Just to feel more human. I put a mental wall up. In effort not to give something away. Still I want, more like I need a possibility of returning back to the home world. Finally the last mission of my career. I might just end up being a human forever. Force to move with flow of time that isn't my own. Only months have passed and years have gone by in other worlds. Day after day my chances are either improving or getting worse. Yet I have to stand strong for my people. Inform them that a society has formed out in this part of the galaxy. It has eluded some of are greatest minds back home. If a civilization could even form at the edge of the galactic system. Difficult to expand when you have no other contacts around you. Confining you in a environment with no way to escape if needed. Thats why its important to make contact with these humans. They are building telescopes, developing radio equipment, and making advancements in the study of space. This means their making some attempt to reach something beyond their world. Even with this all on my mind it means nothing until I get back.


Chapter Six
"A Change"


I only got two hours of sleep last night. Really anxious to get the next day going. I have hours before my new job starts. Might take a look around the shopping district to buy some items of interest? These items will have purpose. Some will be offerings for the higher commands. Others items for the researchers back home. Also my attire is out of place within this city, I could use a upgrade with my clothing. Shoes on my feet belong to Hank. Which he wore everywhere he went. Being Hank's only pair. Both soles have been seen its share of rough times. Changing my image only prepares me more when I leave the state. Keeping myself moving, looking for anything worthy of use. I head down the lobby when the man behind the counter is having trouble with the radio. He is kicking the bulking radio with extreme force. Primitive way for them to get something working I guess? From behind the man. I ask to give assistance. "Need some help with that? Doesn't seem to be getting any power". With the device plugged in I give it a zap. A jolt of energy gives power to the primitive device. Bringing joy to the old man. I use a little slight of hand. Hiding from the old man my skills. I turn around to face the old man."That should do it. I think you'll get better frequency now". He takes my hand. A forceful shake for my good deed. "Thank you fella. I believe that deserves a free stay". I give a mute response. Nodding my head for the service. Our brief encounters have made staying here pleasant. With time pressing, I walk out the lobby toward the street. Heading directly to the shopping district to get some new clothes and expand my wardrobe. Developing a character by the clothes you were makes impressions without words. Creating a lure for other humans to engage in conversation. Activity picks up further you get from the country environment. Away from the wildlife that inhabits there. My first interactions with other humans had the thinking that I was a farm boy or worker on a ranch. Well I did stay at one. Soon the shop containing attire is in view. I enter the door being greeted by a employee or owner. "Welcome to Walker's Attire. We sell everything from shirts to pants. Also by the looks of it, you could use a new pair of shoes. We sell those as well. If you have any questions. Feel free to ask". I look at the man who stands much shorter then I. With clothes that look like they came right off the rack."Just browsing around right now. Looking for something new or at least better than I got on". He bows his head with hands cup together."Well dress jackets and shirts are near here, down the wall. Other items are in the back of the store". He points to the left and back aisles containing pants, shoes, and other attire. Quite a selection of shirts to choose from and many colors are available. Shirts with short sleeves and some have long sleeves. Some with designs, others just plain. Shirts with two pockets instead of one. More room to store items. Hank had one pocket for keeping his pack of cigarettes from getting crushed. I make two selections. Both the same style of shirt just different colors. I head near the back of the store containing other items. My feet stop short toward the direction of the pants section. With my eyes grazed on a particular item of interest. I'm trying to think of the word.........a leather jacket.
In some literature I've read. Heroic figures dawn the leather jacket as symbol of their character. Wearing a leather jacket gave you strength, making you tougher than the rest. Stories of travelers on motorcycles. A ride on the open rode. With a chance for new adventures. Other. have wore it during battle. Famous pilots who fought couregeously in the air combats of World War Two. Taking the jacket from its hanging position I remove the hanger, putting the jacket overtop my shoulders. This jacket goes well with my ego to the characters of Earth I just describe. Those traits suit my personality, marking my appearance with the jacket I wear. Good craftmenship went into this piece of attire. Almost custom fitted to fit me. In other explorations I have came across pieces of armor, shields, and skin that were a symbol for most cultures. Some cultures would take or even cut off the pieces of armor encasing their victimes. Draping over them, wearing it as a symbol of victory. With your opponent dead. You now own a piece of them. Enforcing others to respect you. I continue to wear the jacket. Constantly I admire the piece of clothing as I'm walking toward pants section. Need to find pants that have durability and have a loose fitting. I have to let air circulate in a certain part. If you know what I mean. I take a pair of pants off the rack, sizing them up against my legs. Two pair of the same brand I droop over my shoulders. Near the pants, hang some belt. I take one that doesn't stick out too much. Hank wore a belt. One with a huge buckle shaped like a horseshoe. It look ridiculous. I choose a belt that has simple features, costing little value. I make my way down the aisle containing shoes. The bottom of my feet ache. From a lack of comfort with the ones I have on. Cowboy boots are not my taste. Can't believe humans would even enjoy wearing these odd shaped shoes. Displayed in the open is a pair of boots that are made for treking. Design and material have the durability to withstand the elements. With many to choose from. My eyes finally have the purchase in mind. The proper attire is complete. I'm not going to be satisfy until I try on the clothes and make sure my shoes go right with the attire. I blurt out to the short man. Unable to find him through the maze of racks around the store."Excuse me sir. Can I use a room to make sure everything fits right?" Close to the front. I see a hand rise. The man directs me to the back corner. So I head that direction with clothes in hand. Once in the changing room, I try on the new clothes.My shirt and pants go well together. This shirt allows air to breathe through. The pants are good length and have loose fitting so the joints move freely. These shoes have good foot support. Almost better than the foot coverings I crashed landed with. A quick look in the mirror. Adjustment of attitude. I feel ready for the outside world. I exit the changing room, grabbing my other selections. I put the clothes on the counter. The man gives a smile. Happy to see another dollar go into the store."Will that be it. Can I help you with anything else?" Almost forgot about the clothes I was wearing. I make sure he charges for these as well."Oh yes make sure you add on the clothes I'm wearing. I forgot I had them on". He shows a slight laugh, knowing that I had them on."Of course sir. Thanks for your honesty". I hand him the money and he rings me out. Letting him keep the change as I walk out the door.
Arriving at the motel I head upstairs to drop my clothes off in my room. I like the way these new clothes feel on my body. Might take another visit and buy some more items. Could use a second pair of shoes. When coming back down into the lobby the old man I help earlier approaches me. "Hey fella. Yer good with your hands. I need help with the light fixtures upstairs. Thinking you could use another deal." Our new arrangement between us could serve well for a longer stay than I planned."Sure. I will take a look at the room when I get time. Kind of got a busy schedule". He shakes his head in understanding. I know he isn't trying to make this a everyday thing."Of course. Yer still a guest in this motel. I shouldn't be asking you for such favors. Just thinking you could use the discount". I like the business deal to the degree I might make this as way to