Roger Zelazny - Donnerjack

“Really? Libation? Show me.”

The ghost took him to the cabinet and Donnerjack prepared his drink.

“Funny you can manage something physical, even in a gaseous form.”

“Maybe that’s why they call it ‘spirits,’ ” said the ghost, chuckling.

Jay smiled. “You don’t laugh much, do you?”

“Not really.”

“Makes you look better when you do.”

“Not much seems funny from here.”

“Put the chains down sometimes.”

“I’ve tried. They always come back.”

“Have another drink, without the chains.”

“Sometimes people sing when they drink. I’d forgotten.”

“Put down the chains, I’ll take a small drink, and we’ll try singing together.”

Later, Dack’s sensors picked up an oddly matched pair of voices:

“…You take the high road and I’ll take the low road ,” they were singing.

Reese, the bracelet, and his creature friends all worked to dissuade Jay Donnerjack from visiting the human enclaves in Virtu, as well as places intrinsically dangerous.

“When you’re older and can assume other identities at the drop of a hat, we can consider it,” Reese said, “but there are some pretty strange creatures wandering Virtu—and whatever your dad built into that bracelet, it’s worth a fortune. People would kill for that crossover ability. You must keep it secret. Tell no one about it. And do not let others see you cross. In the meantime, practice assuming identities.”

Jay shuddered, returning in his mind to the battle between Sayjak and Chumo.

“Do you really think some things are worth killing and dying over?” he asked.

“What I think and what you think do not matter,” Reese replied. “There are plenty who do. You cannot go too far in either world without encountering some form of violence, real or metaphorical.”

“Why not?”

“Violence is a part of the human condition.”

“Why is that?”

“Because we are built of irrational as well as rational parts. Don’t ask me ‘why’ again. Just do some reading, and look around when you have a chance to observe some people.”

“Does that apply to other creatures than humans?”

“So far as I know, yes. Why?”

“I once saw a couple of ape-people fighting to see who would be boss.”

“What were you doing among them?”

“Just resting in a tree when they came along.”

Reese frowned.

“Why do I feel there’s more to it than that?” he asked.

“Because you were just telling me to avoid people.”

“There were many, I suppose?”

“Oh, the whole tribe, I guess.”

“You must have known it was their stamping grounds.”

“Well, maybe I did, a little. But we hadn’t had this talk yet. Besides, the bracelet works both ways, you know. I can always use it to slip away back to Verite.”

“And in front of a speeding vehicle if you’re not careful.”

“I’m always careful.”

“Those ape-people are a hell of a lot stronger than we are. Tough, and kind of mean, too, I’ve heard.”

“I’d say.”

“Well, I guess you have to start learning to judge sooner or later. Remember everything I said, though, about the bracelet and people.”

Jay nodded his head. “Well-noted,” he said.

“I’ve been around a long time,” Reese said, “and I just realized that I recall something very special about being a boy.”

“What’s that?” Jay asked.

“No matter what you tell them they’re going to do what they want.”

Jay studied him for several moments, then grinned.

“You have a good memory,” he said.

If Reese did not call and none of his companions showed up to keep him company, Jay finally got to the point where he would brave the wilds of Virtu on his own. It was good finally to feel that he was learning his way around the world.

One such morning the following spring, as he wandered between jungle and veldt, he encountered the titanic form of a phant—the biggest phant he had ever caught sight of.

“Excuse me for staring,” he said, “but you are the most impressive creature I’ve ever seen.”

The phant studied him with equal intensity.

“And you look familiar,” it said, halting. “What’s your name?”

“John D’Arcy Donnerjack, Junior,” said the boy.

“Mine is Tranto. There is much to be said for resemblances. I knew your father a few years back. We did each other some good turns.”

“Where did you know him from?”

“One time, I encountered him on his way back from Deep Fields. He was with your mother.”

“There is no such place as Deep Fields!”

Tranto trumpeted something like a laugh. “It ill becomes one to mock when one is not certain,” he said.

“I am being trained in the ways of science.”

“Which, as I understand it, should bespeak an open mind.”

Jay looked downward and kicked sand.

“You’re right,” he said. “Sorry.”

The phant laughed again. “No matter, just where we met. But you’ve put me to thinking.”

“Oh?”

“I was going mad with pain on that occasion, the result of an old injury to the nerves at the base of one of my tusks. Once it starts it doesn’t normally stop until it’s driven me over the deep end. It’s hard for me to remember, but I’ve been told I do some very violent and antisocial things on these occasions.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Me, too. Because I’ve been living very happily with a herd of my own kind for a long while now—and it’s starting again. I’m trying to get as far away from them as possible. I have a family as well as friends there. I’ve been their protector. I don’t want to turn on them. So I slipped away early this morning to be alone when it happened. Now who should I meet but the son of the man who actually broke one of my attacks?”

“My dad did that?”

“Yes, and I have a perfect memory when there’s no pain overlay. Now, he was muttering about things called acupressure and shiatsu while he worked on and around it. Do the terms mean anything to you?”

“A bit,” Jay said. “I know the theory somewhat. But I don’t have people I can practice on.”

“If I tell you exactly where he placed his hands and what he did in those places, would you be willing to try?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll lie down then, so it will be easier for you to get at the points.”

“Go ahead.”

Jay drew back as the huge phant knelt, turned, and lay upon his side.

“Impressive,” he muttered.

“First, kind of massage around the base of the top tusk, just kind of gentlelike. That’s how he started.”

“Comin’ up, Tranto.”

“Good. Even if it doesn’t work, I’ll remember you tried. Oddly now, there’s a place between a couple of the toes on the foot on that side…”

Ten minutes later, the big phant was half-dozing.

“Too soon to tell,” he said, “but it feels good. You’ve been at it longer than he was. You’d better go now.”

“I’ve a mind to stick around and see if it worked.”

“You wouldn’t like being stepped on by a friend, would you?”

“No, but I’ve checked it out, and I’ll be okay.”

“Crazy Jay Donnerjack,” said Tranto. “You come from a long line of mad scientists, did you know that?”

“Appearances can be deceptive. Go to sleep. I’ll chase off small predators and swear at big ones. I’ve been anxious to practice my swearing.”

Jay stayed with Tranto much of that day, and when the big phant awoke he looked around, seeing the boy.

“By George, I think you’ve done it,” he said finally.

“It’s good to know there are still a few happy endings left.”