Chapter VIII - Drive on Interstate 15

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the 'Boss' invites Jim to his palatial home on the outskirts of Los Angeles -
Jim, nervous of being on his own with the 'Boss', asks if Ethan can accompany him - and Jim is surprised by the fact that the 'Boss' has no objections.
The 'Boss' uses the occasion, in the privacy of his eccentric mansion, to tell Jim a little more about himself and reunite him to three long lost friends....

Jim's mobile suddenly sprung into life - vibrating in his pocket.

The vibrations were followed by a seductive girl's voice saying - 'Jim, you have a call...'.

Jim fumbled with the mobile, and finally got to touch the right icon to allow him to answer the call.

"Jim...it's me....".

It was Zac's voice.

"Hello Zac....", Jim said, anticipating a friendly conversation (Jim quite liked the idea of talking to people who were somewhere else).

"I have an important message from the 'Boss'...", Zac began.

"He wants you to go with him to his residence near Los Angeles, tomorrow", Zac said.

"I see...", Jim said, instantly nervous about the possibility of being alone with the 'Boss' in some strange place, (Los Angeles ?), that he'd never heard of.

"Can Ethan come with me ?", Jim asked.

"Hold on....", Zac said - as he obviously consulted with the 'Boss'.

"That's fine, Jim, but I will be at the Villa Jaguar anyway, so you shouldn't be nervous." Zac said.

Jim was instantly embarrassed.

"No...it's not that..

I just thought that Ethan would like to see the place, that is unless he's already seen it.", Jim said, trying to make excuses.

"No Ethan hasn't seen it yet - and the 'Boss' says he would like Ethan to come see it.", Zac replied, effortlessly smoothing everything out.

There was an embarrassed pause.

"You still there ?".Zac asked.

"Yes....", Jim said, not being able to think of what to say next.

"OK...then you and Jim be ready at midday, and Chuck will pick you up at the penthouse.... and don't let Ethan talk you into having too many cheeseburgers on the road, as there will be an excellent dinner for you at the Villa - and anyway it's not a long drive....and formal dress for both of you - suits and ties..... OK ?", Zac explained.

"OK Zac....and thanks for letting me know."

"No problem, Jim....." and Zac's mobile clicked off.

The next day Jim and Ethan made themselves ready, taking care to look very smart.
Chuck arrived in the late afternoon, and soon the were on their way.
Once they were settled in the limo Chuck spoke to them on the intercom.
"I don't know if the boss told you, but on the way we must pick up another associate of the 'Boss' - a Señor Picaro.".
"What ? - a Spanish guy.", Ethan replied, clicking on the intercom.
"Apparently...but I've met him before.
"He's a young gentleman, like yourselves.",Chuck replied.
"And he speaks our language ?", Jim asked - not really understanding what Spanish meant.
"Oh yes - well I don't really know if he is actually Spanish, but the 'Boss' always addresses him as 'Don Picaro'.
"I see...", Ethan replied carefully.
"Maybe Mafia....."
"I can't say, Sir.", Chuck replied, thereby ending the conversation.
"And what does this word 'Mafia' mean ?", Jim asked Ethan, innocently.
"Yes...I was just waiting for that.", Ethan replied, wearily.
"It is said (and Ethan was being purposefully careful) that they are an organisation of criminals - very rich and very powerful - and Mafia bosses are usually addressed as 'Don' - but if this guy is young, like us, then I hardly think he could be a Mafia boss.", Ethan said.
"Good... I don't really want to have dinner with a criminal.", Jim mused.
"True, and Mafia are usually Italian, and Chuck says that this guy is probably Spanish.", Ethan said, trying to reassure himself and Jim.
"OK...So let's hope for the best.", Jim said.
Moments later Chuck pulled up outside a very expensive looking Hotel.
It was not a casino, but just a very 'classy' looking Hotel - all marble, steel and glass.
As soon as their Cadillac pulled up, a smartly attired doorman opened one of the large tinted plate glass doors, and accompanied a young man, who was wearing an expensive looking suite, out onto the side-walk.
The young man was wearing large, 'aviator style' sunglasses, so it was difficult to see his features.
Strangely, instead of opening the rear passenger compartment door, the doorman opened the door of the empty seat next to Chuck.
It seems that Chuck's assistant had been deliberately left behind, to make way for this new passenger.
Not a word was spoken as Chuck quickly and smoothly drove off, and the new passenger did not acknowledge the two passengers sitting in the rear of the limo.
Jim and Ethan decided that 'discretion was the better part of valour', and said nothing.

The rest of the journey was monotonous, as they travelled down an alarmingly straight road, strangely similar to those ancient Roman roads that were all supposed to 'lead to Rome' - not that they actually did.

The 'Villa Jaguar' (which is the same in English or in Spanish), was situated in carefully tended parkland on the outskirts of Los Angles (the 'City of the Angles').
The drive from the gates of the parkland to the area occupied by the villa took about thirty minutes (at slow speed, of course), ensuring that the 'Boss' was totally insulated for the noise and bustle of the busy city.

Eventually the Villa came into sight, and Jim realized why the 'Boss' didn't live in a penthouse, however grand, of the kind that he and Ethan occupied.
The Villa itself comprised of a series of pavilions, most of them single story, connected by corridors and roofed colonnades.
The buildings were designed in what is now termed the 'Neo-Mayan' style, and were mostly built in the 1920's and 1930s.
Although Jim and Ethan were not aware of the fact, a number of the pavilions were not built on the present site, but were bought by the 'Boss', dismantled, and then reassembled in the parkland to produce the group of pavilions that now composed the 'Villa Jaguar'.

As soon as the limo stopped outside the main entrance, the mysterious passenger, opened the limo door, and walked swiftly over to where Zac was standing, waiting to greet the guests of the 'Boss'.
They shook hands, and then, without further ado, the young Señor disappeared swiftly into the villa.
Meanwhile, Chuck opened the rear doors for Jim and Ethan.
"Not very friendly !", Ethan said, disparagingly.
"Don't be offended, Sirs.", Chuck said.
"Don Picaro is too polite to speak to you until he has been formally introduced to you by the 'Boss'.
He's 'old-fashioned like that.", Chuck explained.
"So what's he doing here ?", Jim asked, puzzled.
"He's here to meet you, Jim, and Ethan...", it was Zac's voice.
The boys looked round, startled to find that Zac had approached, and overheard them without them noticing.
Jim was still puzzled.
"Why would he want to meet us ?", Jim asked Zac.
"Well.... I will leave it to the 'Boss' to explain things to you.
Tonight I'm just acting like 'the butler'.", Zac said mysteriously.
"The 'what' ?"Jim said.
"No, Jim.... don't start.
Like Zac said...leave all the explanations to the 'Boss'", Ethan said
"Come and meet the 'Boss' - he's really looking forward to seeing you.", Zac said, encouragingly.

Villa Jaguar - Entrance Atrium

The three of them walked into the air conditioned cool of the entrance atrium, and there was the 'Boss', wearing pale slacks and and open necked, white shirt, and looking very relaxed.
"Hello boys !", he said - holding out a hand first to Jim, and then to Ethan.
"So....how do you like my Mayan villa ?", he asked, making and expansive gesture.
"Mayan....yes I remember you talking about the Maya when we had dinner with you.", Jim said, looking around at the rather severe and sombre architecture.
"This, of course is not genuine Mayan - it was built in the twenties, in the Mayan style.", the 'Boss' explained.
"It was at that time that Mesoamerican culture became popular - as part of the Art Deco style...", the 'Boss' continued.
"Now there you've got me lost, Sir..", Ethan said, looking around, obviously fascinated.
"Well don't worry, Ethan, everything will be explained - in time", the 'Boss' said cryptically.
"So...do you mind me asking....who is the young man who drove up with us ?", Jim asked, boldly.
"No, I don't mind you asking, Jim.
That was Don Picaro - as he likes to be called - my  'brujo'."
"Your what, Sir ?", Ethan asked.
"My  'brujo'.", the 'Boss' repeated.
"His 'nagual'.", Jim said, sounding very knowledgeable.
"Yes, I remembered from our talk about the Maya.", Jim explained.
"The word, which is Spanish, can also be translated as 'sorcerer'.", the 'Boss' added.
"Wow....creepy !
You mean you've got a 'pet sorcerer', Sir ?", Ethan said, with a rather inappropriate grin.
"Yes.", the 'Boss' replied, "and at the moment he's playing with his 'pet búho' - his owl."
Jim suddenly looked incredibly pale.
"You OK, Jim ?", Ethan asked.
"Yes, I think so.", Jim replied, as he sat down weakly on one of the long, backless couches that lined the stone walls of the atrium.
"Here...I'll have some water brought to you.", the 'Boss' said, looking concerned,  and he clicked his fingers.
Instantly a young Mexican servant, dressed in pristine white, appeared, and the 'Boss' said a few words in Spanish.
Moments later the servant reappeared with a tumbler of water, set on a silver salver.

Corridor to the Study

"It' only an owl - we call him búho, which is Spanish for owl - and he's only a baby, so there's no need to be scared.", the 'Boss' said, sitting down next to Jim, and offering him the water.
"Thank you, Sir.", Jim said, taking the glass.
"I'm not scared, but I just had one of those flashbacks, as saw an image of an owl."Jim explained.
"Well, no matter - just remember to tell Dr. Brandt the next time you see him.", the 'Boss' said, calmly.
"So Jim, while you are recovering, bring Ethan with you, and we'll go to my study, and sit and talk, and then, when you're sure that you are feeling better, we can go for a little tour of the villa and the gardens. "
So the three of them, with the 'Boss' leading the way, went off down a long corridor - leading to the study,  while Zac discretely disappeared.

"So sit down and relax.", the 'Boss' said when they reached the study.

Once they were all comfortably seated a servant brought them some fine coffee.

Tulane University

Yale Uniersity

"So what's this thing about the Mayans - if I got the name right - and where does this Picaro guy fit in, Sir ?", Ethan asked boldly, sipping his drink

"Good question.", the 'Boss' replied, appearing to be remarkably amenable.

"As I told you two before - when we had dinner together at my nice little roof top restaurant  -

when I was a young man I spent some considerable time in South America.

I was studying archaeology at Yale at the time, and was loaned to Tulane University for a period, during which I was supposed to assist in their excavations and mapping of a city known as Palenque, and also Uaxactun, which are both situated in southern Mexico.

 Frans Bloom

It was in 1923 that the archaeologist, Frans Bloom - who interestingly, later named his house, in San Cristóbal de las Casas, the 'Casa Na Bolom' (House of the Jaguar) - took me on as a rather useless assistant.

The house, by the way, still stands, and is now a museum. - I'll take you there one day...."

(Frans Bloom died in 1963)

"Now hold on a minute, Sir !", Ethan interrupted.

"Are you saying that you were in Southern Mexico in 1924, while you were studying at university ?",

There was a moments silence, as Jim looked at Ethan.

"Yes...that's what I said.", the 'Boss' replied calmly, as if nothing was amiss.

"But, Sir...", Jim then broke in, "When you talked about this before, you said that you met a 'brujo' on that trip....but today you said that Don Picaro was your 'brujo' - and he's only about our age, so presumably he's not the same 'brujo'....", Jim said, praying that the answer would be 'no'.

"Oh but he is - and he was the same age then.", the 'Boss' said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Sorry, Sir....I don't believe you.

I don't know what 'game' you're trying to play here, but there's no point..", Ethan said - and it was the first time that Jim had seen him really annoyed.

"Ethan, I'm not trying to 'play a game', as you put it..... I'm just telling you what happened.

Most of the time I can't believe it myself, but here I am, still alive, and Picaro is also still here, and still young - but then he's a 'nagual'...and a 'shape-shifter, who can control, in some way that I still don't understand, both time and space.

But it's probably best to let him explain...", the 'Boss' said.

Now Jim was surprised that the 'Boss' had accepted Ethan's apparent rudeness.

Ethan, on the other had, was getting scared.

Numerous thoughts were rushing through his mind - like - 'was the 'Boss' crazy, and more in need of a psychiatrist that Jim', or 'was the 'Boss' a psychopath, who had got them here, at his secluded villa, where he could do whatever he wanted with them'.

Then he considered that if they got back to the penthouse alive, should he and Jim just run away, with whatever they could take, and try to manage on their own.

Don Picaro

His thoughts, however, were interrupted when 'Don Picaro' entered the study.

"Hi !", 'Don Picaro' said brightly - his voice soft, and his eyes bright.

"Now I don't think you should be having any of those alarming thoughts, Ethan....

Everything's going to be OK, once you get it all sorted out in your mind.

And by the way, it's so good to see you, and also Jim, once again."

Meanwhile,  - as both Jim and Ethan looked at 'Don Picaro' dumbstruck, - the 'Boss' had taken a photo from out of a large black leather wallet that was lying on his desk.

He handed it to Jim.

"Now don't faint on me...", he said gently, "but this might help you to remember.

Picaro ?

This photo was taken shortly after I found our friend here  - or rather after he found me.

And that photograph was taken in 1924 - by me - I swear !", the 'Boss' said emphatically.

Jim passed the photo to Ethan.

Ethan looked at it - stood up, and then sat down again - simply not knowing what to do.

"He's one of those Mayan guys !", Ethan said pointlessly.

"Well - actually I'm not really Mayan - haven't got the nose for it - mine's real 'cool', and aquiline.

In fact I'm not actually anything.", Picaro, or whoever he was, said.

"I just look like what people want to see.

With regard to the 'Boss' here, at that time, he so badly wanted to see a real Mayan - well you can see what happened - but I think I make a 'cute' looking Mayan - even if I say so myself.....

And never believe that 'the camera never lies'....".

"Yes well, Picaro, enough about me..", the 'Boss' said, strangely embarrassed.

"So let's all sit down and talk about this - what shall we say - unusual situation.

"OK, 'Boss'.", Picaro said, with a strange touch of informality.

It was a 'devil may care mode' of speech that Jim felt he recognised from long ago....

"Well, Jim.... you're just beginning to think that you know me, aren't you ?", Picaro said.

"Yes -I think so.", and Jim made a lengthy pause, as he thought.

"I think I should mention here,", the 'Boss' interrupted - "Picaro here can read peoples' thoughts, it's a skill a 'brujo' has, so it's always best to be honest with him."

Ethan shook his head in further disbelief, forgetting that earlier Picaro, when he first came into the study, had made it obvious that he had read Ethan's thought, .

"So, 'Picaro' - is that a Spanish name ?", Ethan asked.

I wasn't a very incisive question, but Ethan was so thoroughly confused, that it was the best he could manage at the moment.

"Well actually I gave him that name, - and yes, it is Spanish.", the 'Boss' said.

"It's quite difficult to translate, but its meaning is something like a 'rogue', 'delinquent boy' - an 'impish character'.

I gave him the name because I thought it suited his character - and he was happy with it - and well, it stuck.

As to his real name, he will never tell me - but then Picaro insists on being mysterious - it's all part of being a 'brujo', apparently.", the 'Boss' explained.

"And you must realize that his apparently disrespectful, and very forthright manner is not rudeness, but simply because he is so much wiser that any of us, even although he seems to be - and acts - just like a teenage boy - so he can't help being amused at what seems to him to be our often annoying stupidity."

"Well said, 'Boss' !", Picaro added approvingly, and Jim couldn't help but smile.

"So, Sir...where do we go from here ?", Jim asked, thinking that so far everything was still 'hanging in the air'.

"It seems that Picaro knows us, and you Sir.

Ethan, however, seems to have no idea who the boy is.

As for Zac.......I don't know."

At that point, as if by 'magic' - and probably it was - Zac came into the study.

"Well, Zac....do you know who I am ?" Picaro asked.

"Yes, of course, but I don't know how open you wish me to be with Ethan, here, and Jim." Zac said questioningly.

"Not too open.", Picaro said, "at least not until the other member of our little group arrives.", Picaro said, mysteriously.

"The other member ?", the 'Boss' questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Zac in the Study

"What have you been up to now, Picaro ?", the 'Boss' asked on mock aggravation.

"Well it seems that Frank has picked up another errant kid - new on the block - 'phoned you, and has got permission to get your other chauffeur to drive the kid here - so he should be arriving soon.", Picaro said warily.

"But I didn't get any 'phone call.", the 'Boss' said, obviously confused.

"Oh...I see.", the 'Boss' said, starting to smile.

"Another one of your tricks."

Picaro nodded grinning.

"You made Frank think he had spoken to me on the 'phone, and had been given instructions to send this kid here.

Very clever - but you know I prefer it when you warn me about these little 'games'.", the 'Boss' concluded, seeming just a litte annoyed.

"Sorry, 'Boss', but there wasn't time." Picaro said apologetically.

Ethan and Jim looked at one another despairingly, as they struggled to understand what was going on, while Zac smiled one of his 'heart melting' smiles, which Jim noticed, and wished he hadn't.

"So do we all just sit around waiting for any further information until this other guy, whoever he may be, turns up ?", Ethan said to no one in particular.

Zac shrugged his shoulders, and looked to the 'Boss'.

"Well why don't we go to the dining room and have something to eat while we wait, and Jim and Ethan can tell me about their trip to the gym and the pool.", the 'Boss' suggested.

Meanwhile - another of the huge Cadillacs belonging to the 'Boss' was smoothly cruising down Interstate 15 towards Los Angeles and the Villa Jaguar.

Sitting in the air-conditioned, upholstered comfort of the huge limousine was a bemused young man.

He had no idea where he was going - or even who he was.

It was another case like Jim - and like Jim, this young man was the subject of some strange, unknown trauma, who had arrived 'out of time' and 'out of place' - but on this occasion, just in time for a really nice meal.....

Unfortunately for this young man, however, he was not to be given much 'time' to adjust to his new situation - and that was the fault of his 'travel agent' - 'Picaro'.

While Picaro was an amazing 'brujo', he undoubtedly could be better organised.

Picaro, however had prepared Josh, - for that was the name that he had chosen to give the kid - to some extent, for his new situation, and at least the young man was aware that he would be meeting with some old friends - but in a very different and very new situation.

Picaro had therefore made it clear to Josh that things would not be the way they had been before - and his relationships with the various people that he had known would be very different - and this was the inevitable price he would have to pay for this new chance on life.

Picaro had also made it clear that his, and his friends memories of the past had been severely 'edited', and much of what had previously happened would simply not have happened - so their would be no sense of loss, as it was impossible to lose what you had no knowledge of ever having had.

It was complicated, but Josh was a smart kid, and he understood - and knew that it was all very much for the best.

Everything that Josh was seeing and experiencing was strange and unsettling to him, but 'Picaro' had assured him that all would be well - and in fact, better than he could ever imagine.

Josh, however, unlike the other boys, knew that he had met 'Picaro' before, and who Picaro was, and that he had trusted and loved him - and that it was the same person who has told him, 'I can bring everyone back.....everyone..., seemingly so long ago -  and now he said he had done it.

Impossible it seemed, but soon Josh would know if the boy with the sparkling eyes and the 'pointy ears', of which he had been so proud, had kept his promise

He would know when he entered the strange looking villa.

The huge limo drew up outside the main entrance, and a young Mexican servant, in pristine white, opened the passenger door and gestured for Josh to follow him.

Josh was led through a large entrance hall, and through a corridor, and finally into a large room, impressively laid out for a meal.

And seated around the table, just as his 'magic' friend had told him, were his friends - whom he recognised - all except one.

'Picaro', as he was called, rose from his seat.

Josh

"This is Josh.", he announced formally to the waiting diners.

All the diners looked up at Josh as he entered the room, and there were varying degrees of recognition on their faces.

"This is the 'Boss - he owns this place.', Picaro said by way of introduction.

"Well obviously.", Josh said - and the 'Boss' gave him a quizzical look.

"And what makes you say that, young man !", the 'Boss' asked, looking puzzled.

"Well you always were the boss - and a good one, may I say.", Josh said, with his voice trembling with emotion.

"You know me ?", the 'Boss asked, obviously puzzled.

"Enough....", Picaro said..."We'll deal with that later."
"Then there's Zac - who you might recognise.", Picaro continued.
Zac gave one of his delicious smiles, with his eyes twinkling.
"And next to him is Ethan - but he can't remember anything."
"Hi Josh !", Ethan said in his open, cheerful way.
Picaro then indicated Jim.
"Now for reasons that I can't go into at the moment, Jim here looks a bit different, and he also has had problems with his memory - partly my fault - but it's the same guy, as I will explain later.
"Hi !", Jim said.
"Well I can't remember much, but I do recall your face - but it's all very vague.", Jim said.

"Well now that we've all been introduced, Don Picaro, are you eventually going to explain what all this is about ?", the 'Boss' interrupted, as the first course arrived, and one of the servants assisted Josh with his chair.
"Well, this is as good a time as any.", Picaro began.
"But it will be hard work.....", Picaro warned.
"Yes...well get on with it !", the 'Boss' said impatiently.
"To begin with.....all of you, except one, have met me before, a long time ago, but in Europe - and then I was not known as 'Picaro' - that was an invention of the 'Boss' - who seemed to think that I was Mayan, or Spanish - but no matter."
The 'Boss' nodded in agreement.
"A long time ago I made a promise to Josh here, although he was not called Josh then, that I would 'bring everyone back' - and that I have managed to do - and so you are all sitting here, enjoying this very nice meal.", Picaro explained.
"OK...all very interesting....but who are you really, and where have we been brought back from ?", Ethan asked, seemingly irritated by Picaro's long-winded manner.
Well Ethan, I'm taking this slowly because some of you might find what I have to say difficult to accept - and also understand - so I am trying to explain things step by step."
"Well perhaps you could satisfy my curiosity, Picaro.
You found me, or I found you in the Mexican jungle more years ago than I care to remember.
At the time you refused to tell me who you were - so  called you Picaro - 'rouge' or 'imp'.
Perhaps now you would like to tell me your real name... ?", the 'Boss' asked.
Picaro looked round the table.
"The best I can manage is to tell you the name that the boys knew me by - which was 'Faunus'."
Jim smiled, and looked incredibly relieved.
Ever since he had seen the boy he had been searching for that name, which was lurking, inaccessibly, in his befuddled memory.
"Yes, I was thinking of that name...", Zac said, "but I couldn't place where the name came from."
"So, if you are this Faunus... who are we ?", Ethan, who had no idea who Faunus was, asked.
"Well, strictly speaking your are who you are now.
Like me, you did have names before, but you could hardly use them here, in this place and time.
"And why not ?", Jim asked, fascinated by the information Picaro - or Faunus - was providing.
"Well - the names that you had previously are no longer used now - after all, that was about two thousand years ago, in terms of the way people measure time here, and in Italy and Greece."
Faunus paused at that point, realizing that what he had just said would take some time for his friends to assimilate.
At that point no one was eating, and a heavy silence filled the room.
"So if, as you say, we belong in 'Europa', what are we doing here ?", Zac asked.
"Interesting...", Faunus commented.
"You see, there, Zac, you used the Latin word for Europe - 'Europa'.
Now no American boy would do that - so perhaps things are coming back to you."
Zac looked startled, and then grinned, and shook his head in amused surprise.
"But to answer your question, when I was getting things ready, I first had to plan a situation where you boys would return, and be looked after, particularly because, for various reasons, you could not all arrive back at the same time, so  I bought the 'Boss' back first, and enabled him to become a renowned Mayan scholar, and also a highly successful business man - and I set him up here because this was the best place to be easily accepted, and get rich quick.
It was also a place with a very nice - and similar climate to the one all of you had been used to.", Faunus said.
"So are you really expecting us to believe that we come from two thousand years ago ? - and where have we been in the in-between time ? -  and anyway, I can remember my Dad and Mom, and growing up.", Ethan said a little petulantly.
He was obviously not giving up without a fight.
"Well, to begin with, there was no 'in-between time', as you put it.
Time doesn't work like that.
One moment you were in Italy - I won't say where as you might eventually find that upsetting, and the next moment you were on the streets, where this odious character Frank picked you up - but that was all part of the plan.
As for your 'Dad and Mom' - the Dad you remember as dying of alcoholism, and the Mom who later abandoned you - well you had no 'Mom', and you had no 'Dad' - they were just manufactured memories placed in your mind to make you feel, to begin with, that you had some sort of history in this world.
I'm sorry if you find that upsetting, but it was the best thing to do at the time.", Faunus said.
Ethan looked crestfallen.
"Fuck !.... It never did seem quite right - all those memories - but....", and Ethan stopped short, and wiped a tear away from his eye.
"OK, Faunus, we're getting the picture, but go gently.", Zac said, obviously concerned that Ethan was so upset.
Faunus nodded in recognition.
"Now I know I'm sounding a bit selfish, but why don't I have any memories at all, Faunus ?", Jim asked.
"Well, there was a bit of a 'glitch' there, Jim - possibly because you purposefully left, whereas the other were, how shall we say, 'taken'.
I knew the they would be taken at a certain time and place - but in your case it came as a bit of a surprise, so it was easier just to end up with a 'tabula rasa' - excuse the Latin, - a blank sheet.
But don't worry, the memories are not gone for good - in fact Dr Brandt even managed to fish one out, 'Sol et spiritus libertatus' - if you remember.", Faunus replied.
Jim shook his head in wonderment - asking himself how Faunus could possibly know what he had said in the privacy of Dr, Brandt's consulting room.
Ethan had now become very quiet - unusual for him - and the 'Boss' was sitting sipping his 'Jack Daniel's', obviously weighing up very carefully everything that Faunus had said.
"So what was - or is -  the point of all of this ?", the 'Boss' asked leaning back in his chair, and surveying the very puzzled boys.
"To give you all another chance - more life, and life in abundance ?", Faunus replied.
"Well yes.....and who decided this ?", the 'Boss' continued.
"That, Sir, I am not permitted, at least at this point, to tell you.", Faunus replied.
"Mmm....I was rather expecting that answer.", the 'Boss' replied.

"And am I to take it, from what you have been saying, that the earlier 'me' died, and that I am now somehow resurrected or reincarnated ?", the 'Boss' asked perceptively.
"Yes....that is, or was the case.", Faunus replied.
"And you will probably be gratified to know that the boys here were all devastated at your 'passing' - and actually you had a very fancy funeral, and Jim here gave a very fine funeral oration, saying what a fine fellow you had been." Faunus said.
The 'Boss' smiled.
"Well thanks Jim.", he said, just slightly mockingly.
"It's nice to know that am - or rather was - appreciated."
"And you said at the beginning that everyone - except one - here had met you before a long time ago in Europe, and I'm beginning to think that that one was me, perhaps because you did not appear on the scene until after my 'death' ?", the 'Boss' suggested.
"Clever, Sir...and of course you're quite right - although I had been 'looking after' you all right from the beginning.", and Faunus paused for a moment, carefully evaluating how his 'audience' were coping with what he was saying.

Reincarnation

"And this bushiness about reincarnation that the 'Boss' mentioned.
The rest of you might not know what that is about, so let me explain briefly.
To put it very simply it means that many of us go through a succession of lives.
We have different names and different identities, but we are essentially the same person - and often people pass through various lives as a group, reincarnating together, and often going through a series of similar life events.

Maya Sculpture Depicting Reincarnation

The 'Boss' here is is an excellent position to understand this as, in his 'previous life', he was very involved with Greek philosophy, where this idea was discussed a lot, and also the Maya, about whom the 'Boss' became an expert, held reincarnation and recurrence as part of their religion.
And may I add, the 'Boss' owns a priceless  Mayan sculpture depicting 'reincarnation'."
Some of the people you may - at a later date remember, have not reincarnated - in most cases because they were morally reprehensible.", Faunus continued.
"Repre-what ?", Ethan asked, having no idea what Faunus was talking about.
"They were 'bad guys' - but some of those who died while you were around were just unlucky, and who knows, you might just bump into them, although you will probably not recognise them.", Faunus explained
At that point the 'Boss' interrupted.
"Now if you'll excuse me, Picaro, (at this point the 'Boss' was unable to get used to calling his 'magical' friend 'Faunus), I think most of us are probably getting a little bored of sitting round this table and, as the meal's over - although some of us didn't eat much of it, it might be an idea for us to stretch out legs, and walk along to the lounge."
Zac, nodded and rose from his seat, and the others followed,
"I'm confused...", Ethan quietly said to Jim as they walked down another of the suspiciously echoing, Mayan style corridor.
"Yes, I know - I think we all are - even the 'Boss'.", Jim replied.
Once they had all gathered in the lounge, and settled on the comfortable sofas and armchairs, Picaro, as the 'Boss' still liked to call him, began speaking.
"Before I explain anything further, I was wondering where you intended Josh to live, now that he has joined us ?".
The 'Boss' thought for a moment.
The obvious place, I would have thought, would be in the penthouse.
It's very large, has quite enough bedrooms, and Zac is nearby, on the floor below - and also it's quite close to the Club Jaguar....but it all depends on the boys.
Perhaps Ethan and Jim would not be keen on having another person living with them.
But in that case it would be no problem - I have plenty of unoccupied apartments which any of the boys could use.", the 'Boss' replied, sounding very amenable.
Jim looked at Ethan, and Ethan nodded in agreement.
"I think Ethan and I would be quite happy for Josh to join us, but it also depends on Ethan.
If the 'Boss' has a spare apartment for him, he might prefer to be on his own.", Jim said.
"No...I don't know what a penthouse is, but I would really like some company, so I'm quite happy to go with Ethan and Jim." Josh said to the 'Boss'.
"That's great, Ethan said, you'll just love the penthouse - when you see it." Ethan said enthusiastically.
"Well that's fine boys.", the 'Boss' said.
"So now what else do you want to tell us ?", the 'Boss' said, turning to Faunus - "or is there anyone else who wants to ask anything ?", the 'Boss' asked, taking the role of an informal chair-person.
Zac then spoke up.
"What I would like to know is when it will be that we are told who we were, and when and if we will get out memories back ?"
The others nodded in agreement.
"Well that's difficult to answer.
I could tell you all who you were, but that would in reality just be a name and, as I said before, a name that would not really be appropriate to use in your present situation.
For some of you, however, the name might release some memories.
Equally, just being with one another might release memories - but as Jim know, that can be traumatic.
Jim has a nasty habit of fainting when a new memory is triggered - so don't be alarmed if it happens."
Zac and Ethan smiled knowingly.
"For most of you, just seeing Jim will not help much, as he now looks a little younger that when you first met him, and his features have altered a little because of the stresses he has been under - a bit like his appearance altered as a result of the 'coma' he was in at one time.
'Coming back' for him was not as easy as for the rest of you.", Faunus explained.
Josh looked troubled.
"Yes, I have a very faint memory of this person sleeping all the time.
I had to try to make him comfortable, and give him food and drink, but it was difficult, and I thought he was going to die - but eventually he recovered.
I think that must have been Jim - but of course he wasn't called Jim then."

(see the Chapters in Book III of 'The Story of Gracchus')

Zac looked up thoughtfully.

"Yes I have a faint memory of that time - but before you mentioned it I didn't associate it with Jim.", Zac said.
"You see this will keep happening - and for a long time.
Memories will emerge from things that people say or do, or how they look - but you mustn't force yourselves to try to remember things - just let it happen naturally.
And remember - there will be things that you might recollect that will not be of any use to you in this time and place - and those things you should just ignore, or put to one side." Faunus said.
At that point the 'Boss' stood up and interrupted the proceedings.

"I'm sorry to stop you there, Don....er Faunus -,", the 'Boss said, trying to get used to the new name, "but I think a lot has happened, and has been said, and I think it would be wise to stop there - if none of you have any objections.
Now you could all stay here, overnight - there's plenty of room, but as Josh is to stay at the penthouse, I think it would be good for him to 'settle in' there tonight."
The boys all nodded and murmured agreement.
"And Faunus.... I presume that you would want to stay here for the night."  - and Faunus agreed.
And so the two limos were brought round to the front entrance, and the 'Boss' accompanied his guests to the atrium.
One by one he bade them goodnight, and thanked them for coming.
The 'Boss' left Josh until the last.
"I am so very glad that you came back, my boy.
I knew that I could trust Faunus.
Now you go back, and take care of Jim for me.", the 'Boss' said, seeming remarkably emotional.
Then, at the last moment, Faunus joined them - in the atrium, to wish them goodbye.
"I though that you might like to take this little guy with you....", he said smiling.
And a sweet little owl silently fluttered down - from who knew where - and perched on Josh's shoulder.
Glaux - you came back too !", Josh exclaimed, as Glaux nuzzled up, and started nibbling the boy's ear....

And so the massive Cadillacs, almost silently, glided out of the grounds of the Villa Jaguar, and smoothly sped along the Interstate Highway 15 - heading for Las Vegas, and the penthouse apartment, carrying the boys - who obviously had a lot to talk about - and a little owl......

more images in preparation.....

The boys drive back to the Penthouse in almost complete scilence, but then start talking when they reach the penthouse - and then it's a question of who sleeps with who.
Josh is summoned to the Club Jaguar by the 'Boss', and Jim has a further session with Dr. Brandt.

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