VII An Unexpected Offer
Geraldine woke early, stiff shoulders and arms, and a sore groin, but feeling relaxed and alive. She thought again about her time on the cross, the helplessness, the pains coming and going, the orgasms. She had that sudden feeling of grief when something is lost or broken, because she knew a new person was chosen each year to be Jesua, and she could never experience it again. Her fingers went exploring, but it was all a bit too tender to rub hard. She grabbed her cloak and started picking some wool off it, just tease herself a little bit.
“Time for the ghost walk, darling” said Ruth, wondering why Geraldine had her cloak in her hands rather than the floaty white dress that had been specially made for her. The rule was that the Jesua should walk round Otley surrounded by her Discipliners, so the tourists would get the full ‘risen from the dead’ effect, but as good as the plastic skin was in hiding the inserts, they didn’t want anyone looking too closely. However, as they were applying the deathly blue/white makeup, there was an unexpected commotion: an official of the Department of Native Affairs wanted to see Geraldine
Xoplis had been so impressed with yesterday, that he had contacted a friend in the Department who had flown up from the Northern Regional capital of Bruges. Straightaway, Mother Vera knew it was in the best interest of the Yorkshire Reservation if they keep on good terms with the civil servants, so agreed to the request, ignoring Ruth’s protests that nothing good would come of it.
Thosplictl was dressed in the full ceremonial garb of a senior civil servant, red and gold cloak with gold ear-rings and head-dress. Geraldine was told to kneel on the dirt floor while he saw her. Xoplis, although he had some formal clothes with him, was dressed for the damp English climate. Together they inspected the plastic sleeves inserted through Geraldine’s wrists and feet, and the very slender nails with the large heads that looked exactly like the cruel spikes they had all been shown. Mother Vera explained about the diversion when Geraldine screamed and thrashed about, the crowd watching the Discipliners rushing up cracking whips, while Ilkley swapped the big spike for the slim one. And how Ilkley always held each spike with both hands wrapped round the shaft, so its true diameter wasn’t seen. Thosplictl was most impressed; “I would like this girl to do this show in the capital. Are you willing? We will pay her village well in lieu of her labours.” His English was very good, since he dealt with the natives every day.
“All the way to Bruges?”
“No, I mean the Grand European capital in Rome. It would be a great honour to present her in the Coliseum. She would be treated to the best of everything, and have a marvellous time.”
“How would I get there?” asked Geraldine.
“Xoplis here and his wife Talaka could take you, they’re going there as part of their holiday.”
“Talaka……..number………one……….. lick …..you…….. cunt” said Xoplis.
Geraldine well remembered #1 cunt-licker, she’d scored that one a perfect ten. The chance to be crucified a second time! And to see the world.
“Please, please mother, let me go, I’d love to take the story of Jesua to them.”
Thosplictl pulled from his satchel the necessary travel papers for a reservation native and gave them to Xoplis, and a delicate metal collar which he fastened round her neck. “Without this collar you will only have the status of a slave, an unknown fugitive, and treated most harshly by the authorities. Wear it always. It has the same number stamped on it as written in your papers. With it you are an Honorary Brown-Skin and you will come to no harm if you obey Xoplis here. Enjoy your adventure. I plan to be in Rome to see you perform, ensure you have all your props with you, but don’t worry about the cross, they’ll have one of those. ”
Mother Vera was very proud that the Otley Easter Ceremony was going to be heard of in the capital, it had been going for about ten years in this form, and trade had slowly increased, but with this publicity, they would have to devise a ceremony involving the two thieves as well, making a triple crucifixion, planning for that will be interesting.
“My dear,” said Mother Vera to Geraldine, “now your holes have been pierced by the Blessed Spikes to the Cross, you are officially a Holy One. We will perform an initiation when you return. Go forth and spread the Word to all.”
End of Part 1
, I humbly excuse, but nevertheless in some recipes it is written 'Bouillabaise'. I was a little bit fast to take over that notation.
Makes the Super Bowl and the World Cup kind of low-stakes, doesn't it?
