Dance For The Devil (5 page)

“I know what you mean,” said Alex. “The whole point of church is to make you feel guilty. Jesus hanging from the cross, bleeding all over the place. It’s totally gross. Nails stuck in his wrists like a fucking creepshow. They try to scare you into submission.”

“Yeah,” Jason nodded. “No matter what you do, it isn’t enough. If you give five dollars to the church, they make you feel like you should’ve given ten. If you’ve eaten a decent breakfast, you’re guilty of gluttony. If you admire someone’s new car, they call it coveting and say you’re jealous. If you’re friendly to your next door neighbor, then you’re lusting after her. Well, get real! Sometimes we do pig out, that’s the law of nature. Is a lion sinful because he ate too much zebra for lunch? And, so what if we like someone’s car? What if it’s a Porsche? Who wouldn’t admire a Porsche and feel a bit envious? Like, someone really is going to say,
‘No, I don’t want that brand new shiny Porsche, I’d much prefer to drive my shit-heap’
.”

The kids all chuckled and Alex
broke in: “And if your neighbor has a great pair of hooters and looks like Megan Fox –” Amy booed and Elise whacked him on the head. Jason smiled.

“My
point is,” Jason continued, “emotions are a natural part of human nature and it’s not healthy to suppress them. People are screwed up because everyone’s always telling them how bad they are. Not only the church, but parents, relatives, teachers, television, advertising... every facet of our lives is trying to convince us that we are not good enough.”

“I know what you mean,” Amy said. “Magazines are filled with perfect, skinny girls with great teeth and no zits–” Alex put his hands to his face self-consciously and Amy looked at him sympathetically. “Sorry, but what I mean is, no one looks like those models in real life. You’re normal, Alex, not them. Teenagers are
supposed
to get zits. But, even though I know that, I still feel inadequate.”

Jason nodde
d. “Exactly. So, this group I belong to is different. They tell you that you’re great just the way you are. I always feel more centered when I leave. More... alive.”

All four were silent while they thought about this. “Sounds cool,” Alex said. “Can we come, sometime?”

Jason hesitated. “I’m not sure. They’re pretty selective. I think they’re worried about letting too many people join. It might get... well, too mainstream.”

Everyone was quiet. “I’ll ask,” Jason said, finally. “Okay? I’ll vouch for you. Meetings are usually on Saturday nights, so I’ll ask then. Okay?”

They all nodded. The rain spattered heavily on the window of Jason’s bedroom. “What do you guys want to do? Listen to tunes? Watch a DVD. I know, how about a game of Dungeons and Dragons?”

“I don’t know how to play,” Amy said.

Jason put his arm around her, affecting a Humphrey Bogart drawl. “Don’t worry,
shweet-heart,
I’ll teach you how to play.” He kissed her full on the lips, in front of Alex and Elise, winking suggestively. “I’ll teach you everything you need to know.”

**

September 22

Dear Mom:

It’s raining really hard today. I bet it’s sunny in California. It rains a lot in Victoria, but Dad says at least it’s better than snow. He said we can drive to the mountains in a few months and go boarding and see the snow. My new friend Darren said that sometimes it snows in Victoria but not very often. I bet you’ll miss the snow because I know how much you love it.

My
school is okay. Dad or Carmen (our housekeeper) drives me, but mostly I walk. I like my teacher. His name is Mr. Dimple which I think is pretty funny. He likes to laugh and tells funny stories about the Great Depression. Sometimes sad stories too.

Amy and I try not to fight because it drives Dad crazy, but sometimes we forget. I don’t think Amy is happy. She misses you. She says s
he’s tired of living in a houseful of penises. I’ve been trying to remember to put the toilet seat down but sometimes I forget.

Are you a big movie star yet? I hope so. Can I come and visit when you are? I miss you and I love you.

Your Son,

Skeeter

P.S. I’m going to be a punk rocker for Halloween. Dad thinks I’m getting too old for trick-or-treating, but said I can go one last time.

P.S.S. I’m going to Darren’s house for a sleepover next Friday. We’re going to watch scary movies and eat pizza in front of the TV. Cool, huh?

Dear Mother:

Dad said I had to write this letter, so I am. I hope you’re not too busy to read it, but you probably are.

Victoria is okay. At first it really sucked but it’s getting better. I made some new friends and one of them is Daddy’s boss’s son, Jason Vandercamp. He is really nice and cute. I think you would like him. I think he is going to be my boyfriend but I’m not sure, because kids here don’t really date, not officially. Mostly we hang out in a crowd.

My school is about the same as it was in Toronto. It even looks the same, lots of red brick. It was scary going to a new school, but I finally fit in. I have one really horrible teacher, Mr. Groom. I call him Doom-Gloom, but of course not to his face. He teaches English and he makes it really boring. At my old school it was my best subject, but now it sucks.

I don’t really have anything else to say. I think Skeeter misses you. Sometimes I hear him crying for you at night, and sometimes he sleeps with Dad. One time he crawled into my bed and I let him stay, even though it’s disgusting for brothers and sisters to sleep together.

Oh, Dad went on a date last week. Does that bother you? I don’t think he had very good time because he came home really early and he looked kind of grim. His boss set it up. His boss is just trying to be nice and thinks Dad should be happy again. I know that because Mr. Vandercamp told me.

Dad said I had to write a full page, so this is it. I’m sorry it isn’t more interesting.

Amy.

22 September

Dear Elizabeth,

Enclosed are the divorce papers, signed as your lawyer instructed. It makes me feel sad, although I understand now what you meant when you said the marriage was over a long time ago.

The children are adjusting fairly well. I won’t lie and say they are happy, but I think that in time they will be. Each is handling things in his/her own way. Skeeter has regressed, slightly, but it
is Amy who concerns me the most. She is sullen and withdrawn, and frequently angry with me. I’m not sure if her moods are a result of normal teenage angst (Gil Vandercamp assures me it is) or if they spring from our breakup. I have thought about family counselling, and will discuss it with the children’s teachers during next month’s interviews.

I know you disagree, but I think it would be very beneficial for the children to have contact with you. I am not suggesting visitation, although in time that would be
ideal. Perhaps a letter, or at the very least, a postcard? The children need some kind of contact with you, even if it is one of closure. Elizabeth, I cannot stress the importance of this enough, but I will not write more about it lest you think I am renewing an argument.

The Toronto house sold quickly and for a fair price, and I’ve sunk the money, along with every other penny I had into the new house. It felt strange to make this decision alone. Gil Vandercamp assures me it’s a good investment.

I have not yet decided what to do about the cottage. I think we should keep it for now, so the children and I can vacation there in the summer, and they can see their old friends. Please give me your input on this.

I have asked the children to each write you a letter. I have promised not to read them, so I have no idea what they will say to you. I
t feels as if I am not doing a good enough job being their father. Perhaps I am trying too hard? Do you suppose that’s the ultimate joke? For years I tried too little. Perhaps one day I’ll get it right.

Goodbye, Elizabeth. I hope you attain happiness in your quest for a new and more fulfilling life. I regret things ended as they did, and I am not unwilling to shoulder my share of the blame. It is my greatest wish that we remain, if nothing else, on friendly terms.

Best Regards,

Jake

CHAPTER THREE

Two weeks before Halloween, Jason invited his friends to a secret meeting. “Autumn is a special time for us,” he explained. “Tonight’s meeting will be pretty low key. Halloween is when the real action will happen.”

“Like a party?” Amy asked. “Do we wear costumes?”

“Yes, but nothing too fancy, just dark capes. I’ll take care of getting them, okay? So tonight, just observe, and be careful not to draw attention to yourself.”

“How come?” Alex wanted to know.

“Just because. Your behavior reflects on me. Since I sponsored you, I’m responsible for making sure you know all the rules.”

“You sound like my parents,” Elise said.

Jason laughed. “Yeah, I do, don’t I? Don’t sweat it, but remember one thing: no matter what happens, it’s all in fun. If you see something... well, unusual, keep in mind that’s part of it. The whole idea of this group is to be different.... special. That’s why I invited you guys, because you’re special too. I think you’ll fit in really well.”

Amy felt a thrill of apprehension. “Will th
e meeting go on quite late? My dad’s strict about my curfew. He waits up for me.”

“Why don’t you see if you can get your curfew extended tonight, say to one o’clock? All the good stuff always happens around midnight.”

“I don’t think he’ll go for it.”

“Try him. It’s a Saturday night, so maybe he’ll let you. Okay,
I’ll pick up Elise first, then Alex, and then you, Amy. Try not to keep me waiting; we don’t want to miss any of the fun.”

**

Amy knocked softly on Jake’s study. He was slouched in front of his computer, playing a game. “Ah ha!” he said triumphantly. “I think I finally found the tricky little bugger.”

“Dad?”

“Oh, Amy. Sorry. I’ve been looking for a design error on this game for weeks now, and I finally figured out what the problem is. Take a look at this.” His fingers flew over the keyboard.

Amy smiled
in spite of herself. “You’re the only parent I know who gets paid to play games for a living.”

“Not just any game... Pluto’s Playground. Ta da! Just wait until I tell Gil about this – his blood pressure has been so high everyone’s afraid he’ll keel over with a stroke. This was supposed to
be fixed weeks ago but we couldn’t find the problem. Gil had some Japanese buyers to see it, and he lied like the Devil himself. It was amazing to see how glib he was, smooth as silk.” Jake chuckled. “Anyway, Gil was starting to think we’d never find the problem. In fact, only this morning he suggested making major program changes to compensate, but I told him, no, I’d find it... though to tell you the truth, even I had my doubts. But here it is, and where you’d least expect it –”

“Uh, that’s great, Dad. Listen, I need to ask a favor.”

“Sure.” But his attention was on the screen, not her. Amy fought the urge to scream.

“Jason Vandercamp asked me out tonight, to go to a teen’s group he belongs to. Sort of a church thing. Alex and Elise are going too... Dad? Are you listening?”

“Uh huh. Go on.”

“The only problem is, the meeting goes until midnight and it would be embarrassing to leave early. Would you consider extending my curfew until one o’clock?”

“Mmmm.”

“Dad! This is important.”

He finally looked up, and she could tell he hadn’t been paying full attention. Amy repeated her request, trying to stay calm.

“You look really nice, Amy.” And she did. Long blond hair brushed neatly, hanging untethered. She wore a soft pink sweater and a denim skirt, with the ubiquitous Doc Martens on her feet. She waited.

“All right,” Jake said, finally. “I’ll extend your curfew because I’m impressed with the way you’ve asked me, instead of just coming home late. That shows maturity, Amy. Since it’s not a school night, and since I know where you’re going, and with whom, I’ll extend your curfew until one. Not a moment later, okay?” She nodded. “If it works out tonight, and if you make sure you keep ahead of your homework without being reminded, then I’ll consider extending it permanently. Alright?”

“Thanks
, Daddy!” She bounced over and kissed him on the cheek. “You’re the best! I promise I won’t disappoint you! I’ve got to phone Jason!”

Jake smiled. “And I have to phone Gil. Looks like we’re hooked on the Vandercamp family, huh?” He watched her bound happily out of the room and he sighed. It reminded him of when she was a little girl.

This parenthood thing was tough. Perhaps Gil was right after all, maybe she needed more space. Well, pushing his misgivings aside, he’d given her space. Now, he could fret and worry while she was gone.

He idly hoped there was a good TV movie playing on the late-show. He had a feeling it was going to be a long evening.

**

They donned hooded black robes in the parking lot, carefully covering their heads. Jason checked each one of them, and satisfied, led them into a derelict building. The four were indistinguishable, save for Elise’s nervous giggles, until Jason admonished her to remain quiet.

Jason held Amy’s hand as he led them through the entrance. Others, similarly clad, filed through the door. It was hard to see clearly, a combination of the dimly-lit room and the floppy hood. The two joints they’d shared in the car didn’t help her vision either. Amy tried to focus but everything remained blurry. She allowed Jason to lead her in.

They took seats near the back. A pewter goblet was passed around and Jason motioned for her to drink. It smelled spicy and sweet, and Amy sipped lightly, surprised to find the liquid warm and rather thick. “More,” he whispered. “You need to take a bigger drink. It’s like communion, it enhances the ceremony. Trust me.” She did, then passed it along.

It was hard to tell exactly how many people were here, maybe fifty or sixty. The room was set up like a church, with pews, a pulpit and an altar. Darkness prevailed, except for the altar, where dozens of black candles flickered. A breeze whistled throughout and it was airy and damp. Amy shivered, but it was more from excitement than the chill.

There was tension in the room, an air of expectancy. Amy shifted her head slightly and saw some couples clasped together. One had his hand under another’s cape, but aside from soft
groaning, Amy couldn’t tell exactly what was going on. She averted her eyes and began to look around.

Then suddenly, with a flash of fire and smoke, the altar burst into light and a man appeared. His voice boomed loudly and everyone cheered. Amy found herself cheering along, her voice joining with Jason’s and her friends.

The man stripped off his cape and Amy gasped as she realized he was naked, except for the hood which covered his face. Dark symbols covered his torso, symbols she’d never seen before. Amy found herself staring at his penis, glad for the hood which hid her face. Her head swam dizzily and she felt a funny tingling deep in her groin.

The man was speaking now and people were applauding. It was hard to hear what he was saying because his voice was soft. She caught the word ‘sinners’ and everyone cheered. A woman joined him no
w, stripping off her robe and lying naked on the altar. The man stroked her breasts and fondled his penis, and Amy felt Jason’s hand slip under her robe. At least, she
thought
it was Jason’s.

Her head felt fuzzy, but the warmth in her groin grew and she opened her legs slightly, allowing him to push aside her panties, fingering her wetness. She squirmed, allowing him better access.

The man was spreading the woman’s legs now, and people were cheering. Now he was pouring something on her, something red, something that looked like blood. He massaged it into her breasts and Amy could hear the woman moaning. Although the woman was complacent, the man tethered her wrists and spread her arms wide, then repeated the action with her legs.

“Sex is not evil!” The man shouted into the crowd. “Sex is natural. Sex is healthy. The bible is wrong!”

He lowered himself onto the woman and began to copulate. Amy felt hands stroking her breasts, and she was pretty sure they weren’t Jason’s, because he was still fondling her in the other place, but it all felt so good she couldn’t stop it. Her head swam, and she succumbed to the thrilling sensations, her eyes remaining riveted to the altar. They were actually having intercourse! Here. In front of everyone! She had never seen anything like it, never imagined anything could be so... erotic.

The man continued to preach, but Amy coul
dn’t pay attention. Fingers plunged deeper inside of her and her body exploded with her very first orgasm. She let the sensation carry her away, knowing it was wrong, somehow, but not caring. How could something that felt so good be wrong? The man was right. Sex was not a sin.

She believed him. She heard herself groaning, and she believed him.

**

Later, as they filed past the naked woman, Amy saw she was not much older than herself. As they passed, each cloaked figure bent and placed a flower on her supine body. Amy found a flower pressed into her hands, so in turn, she too bent and placed it softly above the woman’s navel. Her pubis was already covered, so the navel seemed as good a place as any. As she bent, the woman stared straight into Amy’s eyes and smiled. Her eyes were strange. Very pale, very blue.

Amy smiled back.

Later, in Jason’s car, they all remained quiet, each absorbed in thought. Amy felt the buzz of her earlier lethargy wear off, but rather than feeling tired, she was alert, excited.

“So, what did you guys think?” Jason asked finally.

“Wow,” Alex said, shaking his head. “I mean... Wow.”

Elise sounded less certain. “I don’t know. It was awesome, but.... I don’t know.”

“I do,” Amy said, speaking clearly. “This has been the most incredible night of my life.”

Jason smiled, looking deep into her eyes. “I knew you’d like it. You’re really something, Amy. Something special.”

“So are you, thanks for taking me. I can’t wait to go again. When is the next time?”

**

Usually their skills were evenly matched during their weekly racquetball games, and the close score further evidence of an aggressive, tightly played game.

Usually.

Today, Gil was trouncing Jake, winning all three games quickly and easily. And, while Jake’s sweat ran freely into his eyes and down his chest, his breath coming in rapid spasms, Gil remained steady, his own brow cool and dry.

“You’ve been holding out on me, buddy,” Jake remarked, finally collapsing into a corner. “Taking lessons on the side?”

Gil smiled slightly. “No.”

“Then what? You’re... turbo charged. I don’t know what your secret is, but if it’s legal, I want some.

Gil laughed. “Just luck. Sometimes, everything bounces just right.”

Jake shook his head. “You can say that again... but it seems more than that. You look different... healthier.”

Gil turned away. “Good night’s sleep, that’s all. Listen, I need to talk to you about work.”

Jake staged a mock groan. “Oh, sure. Beat me first, now torture me.”

“Seriously. It’s about Pluto’s Playground.”

“What? We found the error. Is there another problem?”

“Not exactly. Marketing gave it to a test group to try out in the arcade and the kids say it needs more... pizzazz. More superhero stuff. You know, magic power, more fighting stunts. You understand.”

Jake frowned. “No, I don’t. Our concept is less violence, more education. That’s what attracted me to Marvelworks. If we add special powers and fighting scenes then how is this game different from all the other drivel?”

“Now, Jake, calm do
wn. It’s not like I’m asking for your first born.”

“You might as well be! For Christ’s sake, Gil! Pluto’s Playground is basically a nonviolent game. How can we add fighting scenes? It’ll destroy the entire concept.”

“You’re wrong, there. We have the elements in place, we just need to expand. For example, on level six, when the player does battle with giant worms. We give him more ammo, maybe some nuclear weapons to blow the sucker up.”

“Gil –”

“No, hear me out. Basically, the game is perfect but we need to make a few adjustments. An alien fight scene on level-four. And, we need something sensational on level-one, to hook the little bastards right from the beginning. Nothing too gory, mind you, maybe a planet explosion, a few bodies drifting by.”

“Have you lost your bloody mind?”

“Now, Jake, I knew you’d be upset by this, but be reasonable and think about it. It makes good business sense –”

“I won’t do it.”

Gil coughed. “Well, actually, you won’t have to. The changes have already been made and you can see it in the arcade. The test group is trying it out.”

Jake kept his mouth shut. He didn’t trust himself to speak. He glared at Gil, wiped the sweat from his head with an angry swipe of the towel, and stalked off the court.

He showered quickly and threw his clothes on, then returned to Marvelworks head office. At street level, a small video arcade attracted kids anxious to play the new games for free. This arcade was another brainchild of Gil’s and it served a dual purpose: valuable feedback and free advertising. The kids gave the corporation their reaction to new products, and if they liked them, they told their friends. Although the arcade was open to everyone, a core group of kids evolved, neatly representing the buyer’s profile, mainly boys aged ten to sixteen. They lined up in front of the machines, lanky bodies in baggy clothing, baseball caps covering unwashed hair and cheeks wadded full of chewing gum: theirs was an unofficial uniform.