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Scottsboro, WV—spring of 2009
“What would you think about using snakes?” asked Ron. He and Winona were lying in bed in Ron’s doublewide. It had been nearly five months since they met. After an initial night of getting to know one another, the two had quickly agreed upon an “arrangement,” and Winona had moved in with him, bringing with her a modest collection of possessions—mostly clothes. She had served as his “assistant” ever since. Ron’s question caught her completely off guard.
“Snakes?” she replied. “What about snakes?”
“You know, using them in the act. It’s a hell of a hook. It’d keep the suckers coming in like crazy. And, it’d sure up the take.”
Ever since meeting the itinerant preacher, Winona had constantly referred to the church as his “act.” Ron really couldn’t protest either, because that was how he had always perceived the practice himself.
“I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about,” said Winona. “What the hell do snakes have to do with preaching?”
“Haven’t you ever heard of snake handlers?” said Ron. “Mostly, the Pentecostals do it. There’s this verse in the Bible about handling serpents—poisonous ones—that says it’s supposed to be holy. It’s a big deal. They dance around, stomping their feet, speaking in tongues, and passing around rattlesnakes and copperheads. I saw a documentary about it once. I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes on right in this area.”
Ron could see goose bumps forming on Winona’s arms.
“I don’t really care,” she said. “I absolutely hate fucking snakes,” she said. “They really creep me out.”
“Oh, hell, they’re not that bad,” declared Ron with a smug tone to his voice. “I used to play with snakes when I was a kid—not poisonous ones, of course. Mostly garter snakes.”
Winona stared at him, incredulously. “You did?”
“Yeah, sure, all the guys did. Hey, you know all that crap about snakes being slimy and stuff?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, it’s a bunch of bull. They’re as dry as sand. They just look that way because of the way the light reflects off their scales.”
Winona sat quietly, as though puzzling something out.
“So what do you think?” prodded Ron.
“I think you’re nuts. Aren’t you afraid you’ll get bit?”
Ron shrugged his shoulders. “Sure. I guess so. But, from what I saw in that movie, won’t nothin’ happen as long as you believe.”
“Believe what?”
“In the power of the Holy Ghost. That’s what protects ya.”
“Oh, bullshit,” whispered Winona.
“I’m serious. It says so right in the Bible.”
Winona sat up straight, the covers slipping from around her neck, and exposing her breasts. “And you really believe that crap?”
“I know it sounds crazy,” said Ron. “But I’ve seen videos of those people. If you saw them, you’d believe it, too.”
“I don’t think so.”
Ron reached over and stroked one of Winona’s breasts, and then the other, burying his face in her flesh. “Maybe you’re right, baby,” he cooed. “Instead of playing with snakes, maybe I’ll just play with these.”
“You’re serious, aren’t you? About the snakes, I mean,” said Winona, pushing Ron away. “You think people will give all kinds of money when you break out the snakes. You think it’ll put them in the right spirit I guess. Is that what you think?”
Ron grew quiet. Apparently, Winona had struck a chord.
“Something like that,” he said. “It’s all about the money. I remember seeing people in those films pulling out their wallets and giving everything they had to those preachers.”
Ron stared intensely at Winona, and he thought he could almost see the wheels spinning inside her head as she processed the information.
“Hmmm,” she said. “If that’s the case, maybe you could learn to handle the damn things. If the money’s as good as you say it is. Better yet—maybe I could even do it.” She laughed aloud at the thought.
“I don’t really care who does it,” replied Ron, “just as long as somebody does it. But, at least we ought to think about it. We’d probably have to move around a lot, though.”
“Why?”
“Why do you think? Sometimes people get bit. The cops might show up. Stuff like that. But, think about it. It’d be a gas. I’ll ask around. See if anybody knows where they do it.”
A funny look came over Winona’s face, and for a second Ron actually thought she might be considering the idea. “So, what do you think,” he said, with a hint of a daring in his voice, “Should I check it out?”
Winona hesitated. “I don’t know. I mean it’s really kind of—”
“Just say you’ll think about it. I won’t do it unless you agree. After all, we’re partners.”
“Okay. I’ll think about it.”
“Good! I’ll start asking around.”
“Yeah, yeah...you do that,” said Winona. “And maybe—just maybe—I’ll consider it.”
“Good. And right now I’ll consider these.” Ron lunged forward, and cupped Winona’s breasts. She giggled, and slid under the covers. Ron followed.
* * * *
Forty-five minutes later, fully sated, with Winona sleeping quietly by his side, Ron slipped out from beneath the covers, put on his robe and slippers, and padded softly to the bathroom for a shower. As he let the hot water envelop his body, he couldn’t get the thought of the snakes out of his mind—especially the part about the money.
The evil storm was gathering strength, and money was its driving force.