The chamber of the Earls was what could best be described as an old fast food restaurant. Many of the guards sat up high on the backs of what used to be dining room tables. In two plush chairs in the center sat Brick and Carter Earl, their captive audience waiting.
Brick wore a leather jacket with punk spikes, his pink mohawk matching the part. Carter was dressed in fine silk from head to toe, his black tie shiny as the metal serving bar behind him.
“State your name citizen,” came the call from one of the onlookers.
“Mike. Mike Childress.” Mike watched the two brothers as he spoke. Carter seemed disinterested. Brick stared intently at Mike when he spoke, his voice nasally and high.
“What can we do for you citizen?”
Mike didn’t consider himself a citizen of this strange world the Earls had made for themselves, but he knew Ellis needed help and he was going to try to get it.
“My son. Ellis. He needs medicine. He’s been sick for a while.”
Brick looked to his brother who waved his hand to continue.
“Medicine isn’t cheap. And important here,” as he waved to his group surrounding him.
“What skills do you have Mike? What did you do in the former?”
“I was a carpenter sir. I built cabinets.”
Brick looked to his brother who finally spoke, his voice low and stern.
“Could you build a barracks?, “ said Carter, looking out at the crowd gathered. “For our fine citizens?” They cheered at that.
Mike thought about it. He wasn’t sure he was up to the task but nodded anyway.
“With enough manpower and supplies, sure.” The crowd cheered again.
Brick came down from his pedestal then marched over to Mike.
“You will have what you need for your son. You will take it to him, with two of our men.” His breath stunk as he got closer to Mike his eyes wild but convincing.
“You will make sure your son is healed. We are not monsters. And then you shall return to repay your debt to the Earls, as a good citizen. Do you agree?”
Mike saw nothing but Ellis face in his mind as he nodded his commitment. A citizen of the Earls was born, and the crowd in the old fast food restaurant cheered. And Mikes life journey up to this point would pale in comparison.