Saturday, January 18, 2014 – 1:37 PM EST – Duke's Private Airfield – Rhode Island



I've given my father the authority to take Air Darkness One as he plans his moves for his captured enemy. He left quickly a couple of days ago without even telling anyone where he'd gone. Tracking the location though, isn't that hard with a high tech super bird like my jet. He was in Italy. I'm not sure what he's planning, all I can say with absolute certainty, is that it's big.

He's waited a long time for something like this. The Cardinal was a huge gift, and he doesn't plan on wasting it with just simple torture and an execution. No. Asmodeus has major plans. He's getting older and his energies are running low. His health remains good for the most part. But his mobility, especially within the colder months will limit his abilities to under take such things in the future. With the northern states becoming much like the Arctic the last few months, this may be his last chance to really pull off something big.

I can't explain how excited I am for him. This little “project” I have given him seems to have added some youth and vigor to him. Now, as the plane comes in for its landing and he's made his way back from Italy, I'd like to know some things. The plane comes to a slow crawl and steers its way into the large hangar.

The hangar coincidentally, is where I wait with Jacob in the limousine. Asmodeus makes his way down the stairs, albeit a little slowly. I open the door and step out.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “A little slow today, old man.”



He makes way toward the car.



ASMODEUS: “Well, when you've lived the way I've lived and have a busted up knee, then you can judge me Sebastian.”



Apparently he's not in the mood for jokes. Either he found a wrinkle in his plan, or the pain is bothering him that much. After he climbs into the limousine, I follow him into the car and we head out of the hangar and down the road.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Dad, what's bothering you?”

ASMODEUS: “My knee, Sebastian. Go ahead and laugh at your jokes, son. Until you walk a mile in my shoes, you'll never understand.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Why don't you see a doctor? They could help you with a pain regiment or maybe replace the knee.”

ASMODEUS: “Son, I appreciate your concern, but I'm neither ready to go under the knife, nor am I willing to put myself under the influence of pain killers.”



I guess that's the end of that. My father is a stubborn man.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “How's your planning coming?”

ASMODEUS: “Oh, very well.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “What is the Italian press saying about the Cardinal?”

ASMODEUS: “Checking up on me, are you?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Nah, just curiosity.”

ASMODEUS: “The Cardinal is wanted for questioning by French police and Interpol about the fire that killed all those men and women. I do believe they consider him the prime suspect.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I suppose that's a good thing.”

ASMODEUS: “It absolutely is. When they do find him, they'll assume he was over ridden with guilt over what he'd done and no one will suspect the Illuminatus.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Ha! Well, that's certainly something to smile about, Dad.”

ASMODEUS: “Indeed, son.”



Things fall silent for the moment. I turn my head and watch the scenery go by as we head toward the Compound. Suddenly, an object catches my eye. Reacting quickly, I hit the button that connects me with the driver.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Jeeves! Stop the car and turn around!”

JEEVES: “Right away, sir.”



The car slows and turns around in a driveway that leads to an old farm.



JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “What's the matter?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Nothing, I just want to look at something.”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “What?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “That!”

ASMODEUS: “Oh my lord! Not again.”



Up in the distance, they see what I saw.







JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Oh shit!”

ASMODEUS: “Jesus Christ, Sebastian!”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “What? I like old trucks and I can not lie!”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Sir Dukes A Lot and his obsession with old, outdated trucks.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Stop here, Jeeves!”



The limo comes to a stop on the roadside in front of the Chevy Blazer. I get out and give it a look real quick before heading to the front door. After ringing the bell, a middle aged man comes to the door.



MAN: “Yeah what is... Holy shit! You're huge.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “That's what she said.”

MAN: “Look, I don't want to anger you because you could probably tear me apart. So, what is it you need?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “That Blazer out front. What do you want for it?”

MAN: “I'm asking 3500. I have a guy on his way right now offering me 3300.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I'll give you what you're asking. Call the guy and tell him it's sold.”

MAN: “I'd like to, but I'm a man of my word and we agreed with a handshake. That's as good as a legal contract in my book.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “What's your name?”

MAN: “What?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Your name. What is it?”

MAN: “Travis. My name is Travis.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Get your ass out here, Travis. Sell me this Blazer.”

TRAVIS: “Sir! I told you...”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I always get what I want, Travis. Money is no object. How much will it take to force you to call off that deal and sell to me? 3700? 4 grand? 4500?

“How much?”



Travis finally comes through his front door.



TRAVIS: “If money is no object, then why this one? Why not another one?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I like this one. I want this one. As I told you, I always get what I want.”

TRAVIS: “So I heard.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “What year? What's under the hood?”

TRAVIS: “It's an '84. It's got a 305. 3 speed on the floor.”



We walk over to the Blazer and he opens the door. I climb in and hold down the clutch and turn the key.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Ooooh. Purrs like a kitten.”

TRAVIS: “She also roars like a lion.”



I hit the gas pedal and realize he wasn't kidding.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I'll give you the 4500.”



Jacob, my Messenger strolls up.



JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Are you really going to buy this heap?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Jake, not now.”

TRAVIS: “I'll give it to you for the 3300 the other guy was going to pay.”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Oh fucking hell!”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Back to the car, Jake.”



Jake makes his way back to the car, shaking his damn fucking head.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Deal.”



After signing the papers and being handed the keys, I take my Blazer and head back to the Compound. Once I back it into the garage, Jacob is there to meet me. I kill the engine and climb out.



JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Are you satisfied now?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Yes.”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “I never understood why you have such a passion for these old trucks.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “It was my grandfather. Asmodeus's dad. Before he died, he had a 1978 four by four.”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Bertha?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Yeah. I used to help him work on it back when it was in good shape. He died and I went to live with my father. The truck stayed in Pap's garage for ten years before I could drive it.”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “That's why you loved that hunk of shit?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Yeah.”



I start walking around the Blazer and looking it over some more.



JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “There's just one thing I don't understand.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “What's that?”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “I get the sentimental value part. I do. What I don't get is why you name them.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “My Pap always said treat them like a lady, and they'll treat you right.”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “So that's why you name them. Why Bertha?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Did you ever look at it? It was a big ugly piece of shit.”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “What you naming this one?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Lucille. Sweet Lucille to be exact.”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “I've seen the way you treat your women, Sebastian. Lynn, then Caitlyn. It's kind of fitting that you killed Bertha.”



Touche, Jake. Touche.



Fade to Darkness.