Inside the DIY Express, an Assistant waited patiently whilst they searched for the appropriate, but found they nothing, safe a hall containing the next generation of light fittings. Just lights, but with newly designed surrounds, thinner materials, cleverer fixings.
Can I be of assistance? She said, I am, after all, the Assistant.
We need all the tools necessary for an grand excavation. Do you? Which aisle? Here or over there? Which number and so?
First, Asked the Assistant, in a voice of patience, Is it the archaeological kind ? or just how big a hole can we dig? We do have the full archaeological kit bag, as used by Indiana Bones in the movie, or we can go full gold rush, metal swishing pans and pit props.
As it happens, She continued, We have a special offer on currently. All the tools necessary. Here, she brought up a list on her personal tablet of stone:
Crow spars, trick axes, geomogical spanners, dustpan and brush and of course gravel buckets, are ranged and deranged in a special shepherd’s hut, which is free at the point of checkout, if you give them the nod, the correct promotional code and purchase the entire list as expressed. The last two items, an executive folding chair and colour matched folding coffee table, are optional. Offer only available for seven minutes, so be quick. There is only ever one left, I don’t believe you.
Sound good, said Sheba, We will take it, lead on.
They made full purchase, paying by invisible radio waves and wheeled the shepherds hut towards the cave, following the read out from the red dotted line machine.
Ill bring out some useful tools, said the YBK, the JD said that she would help.
On entering the hut, they encountered a young man in rough brown woollen clothing, woven during the Middle Ages, with a broad brimmed hat and a long wobbly stick which curled at the end into some complex hook. He was polishing the pickaxes, one by one, and placing them back carefully in their racks.
Over his shoulder, he called out, Hello there, which tools do you require. I have cleaned them and put everything in order.
And you are? Asked the JD, holding her stick in firm grasp.
I am the Shepherd, said the young man, I come with the hut. Unfortunately, all my sheep ran away and so I had to auction off my hut to the only bidder, DIY Express. As I now have nowhere to live, I decided to add myself as part of the Goldrush Package. I do hope? My philosophy of life is homespun and sheep based, grazing and moving on before over grazing seems to cover it. I do hope that this fits in with your projected development.
Excellent, said she Sphinx from outside, I’m out of here, this is turning into a melodrama in which I have no interest, and in any, I cannot fit within the cave. I’ll see you aback at the ranch or castle in this case.
The YBK said to the Shepherd, I am sorry for your lost sheep, but we will not be needing your services.
Hold yourself right there, said the JD, This young man, who through no fault of his own has ended up on the rubbish heap of life, deserves our consideration. His philosophy has some merit, it sounds like a suitably gentle approach to life and has some environmental understanding that I appreciate.
To the Shepherd she said, Stay here as long as, and consider it your home. We shall speak latter about the terms of your release of contract and ongoing indenture? Deal?
They shouldered the necessary heavy duty and set to go, See you later said JD to the Shepherd.
JD and the YBK entered into the cave, which was lit and supported only by the wobbling beams of their head torches and ancient wooden beams, stumbling forwards until they found the spot marked with a massive red X which would be visible from space if it had been outside.
They propped the big X against the wall out of the way and made a chain gang to remove the sand and gravel, mixed bones and sword were stacked next to the cross. In the hut the Shepherd made tea.
Eventually they came to a bright plastic layer with the words danger electrical cable emblazoned, accompanied by a zig zag motif.
Theses warning graphics are splendid, said the YBK as he burrowed his way downwards.
At the base of the hole appeared a trap door,
It might be a trap, said the YBK,
Very funny, said JD
Searching for treasure, measuring the weight, height and breadth, testing the strength, feeling the quality of the material, reading between the lines, what is my treasure maybe your fertiliser, it’s all in the usage and expectation. A toy at Christmas, guessing the contents from the outline. Leafing through the catalogue or garden, spoiling for a contest, founding a dynasty, parting the curtains, sorting through the rotten fruit for usable cooking. Bowling down the lane, putting it down, picking it up, putting it in a jar, taking it out, planning a picnic, rolling out the carpet, trusting to experience, important information, funds.
They opened the trap in a suitably careful to reveal a ladder down into a great space, like a factory, filled with large machines and forests of threads moving in the breeze that they brought.
What is this place? An old mill, I think.
In the central floor two chests extant, one with lid ajar and troubloons o’re flowing upon the cement floor, the other with words written in all eventuality upon its woody skin.
Let us, said the YBK, and they moved to investigate.
Meanwhile Sheba, the Thread and the Shepherd made merry with some refreshments in the hut. Have you ever considered opening a pop stop tea outlet? Asked Sheba, this is very good, this cake is delightful and you are sheepless.
Down in the Temple, JD bent over the mighty chests. Let us read and take on board the knowledge lain before, she said.
She read out loud, Here is written, You may take your weight in profits from only one box? In the treasure chest of your dream lie all the golden diamonds that you may ever, but in the box on the right, there is a boxes of usefulness including.
I shall be from the treasure chest taking all, she said, and in an instant, she took on the weight, she took it in, she took on, in body as in mind.
Now I am of diamond made, my throat a vessel of silver wrought, my heart a monstrous ruby shown within its golden cage of ribs. My legs and belly strewn with pearls that shift and migrate when I run, my feet a necklace of precious bones held tight in silken cords alone. My face is caught in silver plate, a smile etched there in precious stone, my hair falls down in rows of golden chains, plaited there down my back of emeralds formed. My arms, not found in flesh once more, now sheathed in armour shining bright, my fingers gauntlets crusted bright with tiny stones of every hue.
And now mine eyes of crystal cut must see the curtain torn away, my brow of hammered metal crease on seeing clear the future ranged. It will be revealed to me in seven visions, in seven hells and seven heavens combined, laying out before mine eyes, a map and chart, the smoke of the destructive fires parts in the wind of my view.
Well, said the YBK, my mother told me there would be times like this, when one must decide between ones own and the greater good.
What do you mean? Said JD, I have choose the golden option, I may still use the profitable interest to benefit the poor and needy. Wealth, in and of itself is not evil. In abundance my vision will guide the mighty and the small who may wail and fall aside at the outset.
That is as maybe, said the YBK, But there is a powerful seduction in the holding of wealth and power that should not be denied. Look at Geoff, for instance. Super rich and of no use to man nor beast. He has only given away about 1.75 % of his enormous. Trickle down economics is, as we know, a slight of hand used by those who wish to retain.
He continued in reflective, My mother has relate to me that humans are very vulnerable creatures, who, when faced with the options power and riches, tend to spiral out of control and descend into another realm of an unpleasant nature. There are few amongst that can sustain a head above when seduction comes to call.
Speak for yourself, said JD, Gold and jewels bring the flexibility of action that I require, I shall make sure to dispense these riches in a responsible and fruitful manner for all. I am not convinced that everybody wants to rule the world. The clarity of my crystal eyes will see the glaciers retreat into the northern light. The ancient water will flow past our feet in mighty flood.
I shall first relate the seven visions that have been revealed.
The Guardians of the Cave 