XXXIV

The bright desert sun burned down on Lenny with no mercy, waking him up from what had been a very short slumber. Seeing the snake enter the mansion, Lenny had fled from it, out the front doors of the mansion, which the boys had left open after driving Cal’s car up the stairs and into the main hall.

Unfortunately for Lenny, he left the mansion before a full transition could take place, and he was still in the alternate world. The primitive one without food. As he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and stood up, he noticed he was not alone.

Not only was he not alone, he was totally surrounded. He rotated 360 degrees and saw men standing all around him. Short men, all dark skinned, barely clothed. Their faces were painted in bright red and yellow. Their long black hair was braided and, in many cases, decorated with feathers. Lenny reached up and smoothed his long blond ponytail.

At first no one spoke. In wonder and confusion, Lenny surveyed all the men around him, looking for a friendly face. They all looked back at him with curiosity and animosity. One of the men stepped forward. He was older than the others and appeared to have more hair and body decorations. Perhaps he was in charge.

Lenny stood straighter and raised his right hand to shoulder height, with his hand open and palm facing forward. He said just one word. “Dude.”