Post by bobdoc on Jun 21, 2007 13:51:16 GMT -4
"The Man Behind the Curtain" part 2- present
Of all days for today to be...
And this doll is the only good thing I've ever gotten from any of those other days.
The day Mother "died"...the times Dad chose to insult me....the day I thought our war with the outsiders was over, yet it was far from it. Every year, this day has brought nothing but misery, or happiness that later turned to something far worse. It has never failed.
The moment I got this was the only time I experienced what they call a....happy birthday. And that only lasted a few minutes.
And considering where we are now, remembering those few minutes is the only thing that's making me feel content with myself and where I am.
This doll is such a small thing, yet something that represents the only true fondness I ever received...
"What you got there?" I resist myself from sounding more upset at Richard than I actually am. "Its a birthday present. Mine just happens to be today. You do remember birthdays, don't you Richard?" For anyone else, that wouldn't be such a loaded question...
"So do you want me to bring the tape back to Juliet?" We're going over the simplest parts of the plan now? "The tape with your instructions for Juliet, do you want me to bring it back to the medical station?"
I thought he was too smart to be that forgetful and shortsighted. Naturally he proves me wrong at the worst time! "I recorded it yesterday, before we left, I thought you already took it!"
After he says he didn't, I can tell there's no more need to go over this with him. Maybe I'll have better luck with Tom, he hasn't made a costly mistake in this plan yet. "Where's Tom?" Obviously he's outside, so I go out to see exactly where. "Tom! Have you seen my recorder?"
He's there, but he doesn't even seem to be paying attention to me. Why wouldn't he...
It can't be.
Not after I realized what a mistake I could have made.
After that, he shows up now?!
"You said that if I killed my father, you'd tell me everything I wanted to know about the island."
He did it now....now that I didn't want him to do it, he did it now?!
John, what did you do?
"So why don't you start at the beginning."
I was willing to ignore how my people first reacted to him. I thought that after all we've been through, and how I was getting better after I saw him, he really could be a help to us. But after I had time to think it over, I saw my error in judgement.
John will never be fully committed to us. He's a man on his own path. He looks out for others if he can, he still has a sense of morality to do so if he cares enough. But his main concern is for him, and what he can learn. He can turn on Jack and his friends in a heartbeat if it means he'll get closer to his destiny, I've seen it. And if he felt he could get even closer to it if he betrayed us, he'll do that too.
That's why if the people think Locke could be special, and help us....if they think he could lead us to survival better than I can...it would result in doom. Because he would turn on anyone if it meant a greater spiritual path for himself- if Dharma ever came back and promised him the answers, he wouldn't think twice about leaving us to slaughter. He cannot lead us. He must not lead us. He would betray us just as soon as he betrayed Jack and Kate at the Barricks. He would ensure our deaths if a smart person gave him the chance- and our enemies, for all their sick desires, are smart people.
As much as I wished he could help us....my time away from him has made me realize he cannot. He would not fight to the death for them as I would. He is not a good leader.
And that is why now, I have to discourage him from knowing what he wants to know. I invite him to the tent for a drink, hoping I can let him down easy.
"I know I promised to tell you everything, John, and I wish it was as simple as me taking out a dusty old book and opening it up." He doesn't even blink when I hand out the glass- he obviously doesn't care how simple or not simple this is. "But its not that simple."
"How about you just tell me." Terrific- none of his cohorts were ever interested in actually knowing the truth about what this place was, and who we were- they just assumed we were evil without actually learning about us. Now he finally wants direct answers- of course, that had to happen now.
I'm going to have to mention him now. There's no other way left to deter John.
"You probably think I'm the leader of this little community. But that's not entirely true. We all answer to someone, John."
"And whom might that be?" As if there is a waking or unwaking second in my life that I could forget that name. "His name is Jacob."
"Ok then. Take me to Jacob." He continues to be steadier than I've ever seen him...I don't like this new John. "I can't do that."
He's getting up now, and unfortunatly I don't think it's because he's giving up on this. "Where are you going?"
"Hell Ben, if you don't wanna take me maybe someone else will. I'll just go and ask Richard..." Of all people to bring up...
"Why would Richard take you? He doesn't know where Jacob is, he doesn't talk to Jacob..."
"Well who talks to him?" I have to explain that it's only me and no one else, and he looks even more disbelieving as I go on. But I might as well keep going, I've got nothing else to go on now. "I was born here on this Island, I'm one of the last that was. Most of these people you see, I brought them here, so Jacob talks to me, John. He tells me what to do, trusts me."
"And, no one else has ever seen him?" I confirm it. It's not like it was my idea....considering all I've been through with that man, how much better could the rest of them handle him? Not well...I've barely made it out clean with him sometimes, after all...
"You know what I think, Ben? I think there is no Jacob. I think your people are idiots if they believe you take orders from someone else. You are the man behind the curtain, the Wizard of Oz. And you're a liar."
After everything I've done, everything I've had done to me, he dares to think I'm making this all up....he hasn't seen what I've seen, experienced what I experienced- nor does he deserve to, after that outburst. "And what might you base that theory on, John?"
"Because if you were telling the truth, your hand wouldn't be shaking."
I can't even hide that by covering it up with my other hand.
I would almost give credit to John for tripping me up for the first time ever...if he did it at any other time.
The weak and foolish John Locke appears to be dead...now I wish I hadn't played such a part in killing him.
***********************************************
"Where is Ben!!! Where is he!!!"
The accent is unmistakable....though I was told it would never be heard again.
But I see the man who owns it, now alive...finally, some good news, though maybe not all that surprising. "I thought you were dead." I say to Mikhail.
"I'm fortunate the pylons were not set to a lethal level." I don't entirely buy that that's how it happened, but there's no time to nitpick. Once I see John come out, I suddenly remember why Mikhail was supposed to be dead in the first place- so that negates the good news, of course. "What is he doing here? He's the one who tried to kill me!"
"He's with us now." This is no time for any infighting, we don't need any more complications. He was desperate to talk to me, so I should focus on why that is. "Where have you been Mikhail?"
"I encountered several of his people in the jungle. They had an injured woman with them. Apparently she had just parachuted onto the Island."
No....
"What?!"
"Her helo crashed into water. She says her ship is approximately 130 clicks to the West of us. She has a radio telephone."
No one was supposed to find this island after the sky turned purple...no one was supposed to find it even before the sky turned purple...
It's finally happening...
"Where is she now?"
"I assume they have taken her back to their camp." Which we're already going to soon enough....if this is what I fear, it's even more important we get the pregnant women to safety. They can do what they want with Jack and his friends, but the babies we can save are not for them.
But considering everything that would have to happen for them to actually get here....I doubt they could do it before our raid. I doubt they even know how. Nothing Jack tells her will help them....so I let myself relax at this. We still have time..."We'll be visiting their camp day after tomorrow, we'll take care of it then."
"Day after tomorrow? We have to go now." Mikhail is in danger of worrying the entire group, so I'll have to calm him down.
"Ben's not going anywhere with you." This has nothing to do with John, so why is he barging into this? He should be sharing Mikhail's worry, considering how he doesn't want anyone coming here too.
"He and I are going to see Jacob."
I can tell he doesn't care much about what this "news" is doing to this camp. Or the negative impact this is going to have long term. "Please tell me this isn't true, Benjamin." Mikhail more than anyone looks very concerned. But at least he's given me the excuse I need to focus on something else. John of all people will have to understand the seriousness of this new threat.
"I'm sorry I have to deal with this now, John. Our excursion will have to wait."
Mikhail turns out to be the first responder. "Since when do you explain yourself to him? An outsider..."
I don't know which of those words inspired John to beat him up....probably not the first time he's done it. So why isn't anyone stopping him? "Tom?! Richard!!"
I hinted that I want this to stop, why aren't they listening?!
Is John destroying my legitimacy already?!
"So when do we leave?" he bothers to ask when he's done.
Again, he's outsmarted me...
I do not like the new John Locke.
**************************************************
We need water for the trip, so I go collect it for us. John's got his way for now, but I can still question the terrible way he got it done. He might have ensured that Mikhail is the only one left who has no doubts about me, and he beat him up for it. "You know you didn't have to beat Mikhail senseless to make your point, John."
"Yes I did." Of course he doesn't bother to explain why.
"Locke?" Alex? How much of this did she see?
"I hear you're gonna go see Jacob. You're gonna need this." Where did she get that gun? Her weapon of choice is a slingshot...and yet she gives the gun to John?!
Now even she is turning to him instead of me?! Perhaps considering her past rebellions, that's not surprising....but this speaks more volumes to the groups feelings about John than anything.
"Happy birthday, Dad." she actually says before she go, as if she actually hopes I have one....well, no worry about that.
When we head back to camp, I have only one last idea left to put some doubt into him.
"Something you should know, John, before we go. Whether or not you think he's the Wizard of Oz, I can assure you that Jacob is very very real. And we're gonna go see him, and he's not gonna like it. In fact I have a feeling he's going to be very angry. And that's why my hand was shaking because this is not a man you go and see. This is a man who summons you."
"Well, I guess there's a first time for everything." Of course there is...
That's it, then. No going around it now. He's forced me to do this.
There's only one possible outcome that can help me now...
***********************************************
The walk to the cabin is pretty uneventful- almost too calming, considering what's about to happen. John actually notices the ash at one point, but I get him away before he asks any questions. Luckly, he's still pretty single minded and can't focus on two things at a time.
"We're here."
And soon enough, the cabin is right there...an unimposing, delapidated, broken down place that betrays the true terror of what's inside.
And John's flashlight certainly isn't going to help things. "You'll wanna turn off your flashlight, John." He asks why, and I answer "Jacob feels the same way about technology as you do."
At least that's one amusing thing I can think of in this whole mess. I light the lantern, like I've done so many times before- the whole routine has practically been engraved in my DNA by now. With one major difference this time, of course.
I'm giving him one more chance to spare himself...
"Once I open this door, there's no turning back. You sure this is what you want?"
His steps forward does more than any words could.
Then it's back to hoping for that one helpful outcome...for my own good....and for his.
"So be it." It's time....
Assuming he hasn't sensed what's coming, I might as well give him fair warning. "Jacob! I'm here with John Locke. We're coming in now."
The usual squeaking comes from the door when I open it, as do the usual noises when I walk in.
And there he is. Where he always has been.
"The Man Behind the Curtain" himself....and no one but me could imagine the horror if he ever stepped out of it.
His every look and detail are more familar to me than anything I've ever looked at...I can honestly say I know everything he could possibly do to react to this.
The look he gives me doesn't betray any emotion, one way or the other. So I have my opening to give a proper introduction. "Jacob. This is John."
I described John well enough to him that he shouldn't be surprised at how he looks in person. I almost feel curious about how Jacob will regard John in person, after all I told him. But Jacob stays quiet, in his still, patient manner, waiting for John to make the first move.
Which he still hasn't done. "Aren't you going to say hello, John?"
"What?"
Then it's true....the one outcome I hoped for has happened. If I can just keep up my surprise and hold up against his confusion, we can get out of here unscathed.
Jacob actually looks surprised that he can't see him, but I know better. I told him so, during our talks about what would happen if the survivors ever stumbled onto him. "I told you he wouldn't.", I say to him, looking for what he has to say to that. But John answers first.
"Who, what are you talking about?" Just keep up your surprise...
"You can't see him?"
"See who?"
"Jacob!" John isn't smart enough to pretend that he doesn't see him....I could if I had to, but John cannot hide things like I can. A few moments of pretending to be shocked he can't see him should do it. "He's sitting right here. In this chair."
Jacob interrupts me with his complaints, which is almost good since it'll look to John like I'm talking to nothing. "Yes, I know, but he insisted..." It doesn't look like Jacob is completly satisfied, but I'll deal with him later.
"What is this?"
"You wanted the secrets of the Island, well here they are. This is the man who can answer every single...."
Then Jacob sees fit to interrupt with quite a lie about me. "I am not..." Then he continues his complaints- they may be good to fool John some more, but he's beginning to complain too much. "He made me bring him here, do you think that that was my..."
And yet he continues- why does everyone see fit to defy me and contradict me today?! "Sorry, may I finish?"
"You're crazy." John's managed to outdo Jacob in the insult department- it's good for me in the long run, but I'd rather not have to be called that word in the short. "Excuse me?"
"You don't know anything about the Island do you?" Whatever he says next is interrupted by Jacob- he's both helping and hurting things all at once with his outbursts. I'm starting to think he's enjoying this.
"Jacob please I can't hear him... if you're gonna talk over..."
"Stop. Stop. Shut up!!!" Even Jacob looks stunned by John's outburst....almost too stunned.
"You putting on a show for me? Or do you....do you really think there's someone there?"
Once more, I say the truth....and once more, someone isn't going to believe me. Yet again, that actually is going to work for me. "I know there's someone there."
"You don't know anything."
He's going off now...this little scare is almost over. He isn't worthy after all...now maybe I can coexist with him again, even after all this. Maybe he is still useful in other ways...
But I may need to say one more thing to keep him from suspecting that I set this up, knowing what would happen. "I'm sorry you feel that way, John. And I'm sorry that you're too limited to see."
"You're pathetic." I think I can live with that- better than the alternative. It's over now.
Wait. Why did John turn around when he was about to leave? There's no reason for him to do that.
"What did you just say?"
What did I say...I know I didn't....
Wait....he couldn't have...
Jacob, what did you just do...?
"I, I didn't say anything."
"Oh yes you did, I heard you." Walk away now, John...wait, put that light down! "You said..."
Jacob, no!!
This is no time for you to do this again!
You save using your powers this way until after he leaves! But he's not doing it!
He's wrecking this place just like he always does at times like this, to prove he has the power....does he realize what he's doing now?!
I almost begin to let myself think he does...
I can't think with him doing this!
"That's enough, you've had your fun!!"
He shoved me!
The bastard....
He is doing this on purpose!
And now he's actually looking at John, and now he looks like he actually saw him!
I rush frantically to clean up the mess Jacob made after John leaves...I don't even have time to confront Jacob for what he did.
I don't think he's too fond of talking to me right now, either.
After all I did for him, all I let him do to me, he does this to me?!
I've done nothing but what he told me to do for the island, and he pays me back like this now?! With what's about to come?!
He has to know the new threat that's on the horizon, and yet he fractures my leadership anyway?! John can't do what I can, he can't save us! He'll sell us out to the highest bidder if someone promises him answers and says he's special! He's a gullible fool, and you think he can save us better than me?!!
That can't happen...
It won't.
When I leave the cabin, I begin to realize there's only one way to stop it.
One way to make sure I can do what I must.
One final solution to keep John from taking Jacob, taking my people, and taking us to oblivion.
But to do that, I have to wait.
"What was that?!" he asks as if he didn't just figure it out. But again, I have to betray my true emotions until the time comes.
"That was Jacob."
*********************************************
By the time it's morning, and by the time we get close to the location, I've almost come to terms with what must happen.
I didn't want it, but it can't end any other way. He brought this on himself. He made me have no other choice.
But before it happens, I need to know what Jacob told him. Was it that he wants him to overthrow me? Was it something about the island? Does it affect me or my people? If Jacob went to that much trouble to communicate with him behind my back, I need to know what he wants- what he doesn't want me to be aware of.
"What did you hear in there, John? What did Jacob say to you?"
"He didn't say anything to me. You did." Is he still that naive? Even if he is, he won't be soon enough if Jacob has his way. He'll find a way to prove himself to John if I'm not successful.
"What are you talking about?" I go on, pretending to not know.
"There is no Jacob, Ben. I'm not gonna be taken in by the little show you put on last night. You're a fraud. And its time your people were told the truth. And this is not the way we came!"
No surprise that his legendary tracking skills are still intact. "I'm taking us back another way. I wanted to show you something first."
"I've seen enough." If only you said that yesterday....it's too late now, sadly.
"You know, John, you're not wrong, some of the things I've told you, some of the things I've told everybody, are simply not true." What the hell, no harm in admitting a couple of things now... "Like what?"
"Well, for starters, I wasn't born on this island."
A small lie, really....I remember nothing about my life before I came here, and this is my home. All of my real life has been on this island, so how is it a big lie to say I've been here all my life- technically, I've lived here for all of my real life, so what's the difference? Still, I don't trust our recruited people to know the difference.
"Then where did you come from?"
"That's what I wanna show you."
And soon enough, we arrive.
The remains of the Purge....my Purge.
The people that either were dupes in their masters deranged plans, or willingly carried out their evil. We could not let ourselves tell the difference on that day.
I am glad I'm doing this here. It reminds me of what I had to do to survive. If I didn't do it, the people that gave me a relief from my pathetic life would be dead, and I would be a drone left to carry out untold atrocities. I would not have a real home. I would not have real people I wanted to work with. I would not be a responsible leader of men and women. I would probably be dead.
If I don't do this, and I don't do what I have to over the next few days, all this will be for nothing.
I will have been a mass murderer of drones and bad guys for nothing. All I would have done is delay our own inevitable murder.
If what I did all those years ago means anything good...what I do now must not be stopped.
"This is where I came from, John. These are my people. The DHARMA Initiative! They came here seeking harmony, but they couldn't even coexist with the Island's original inhabitants. And when it became clear that one side had to go....one side had to be purged....I did what I had to do."
"I was one of the people that was smart enough to make sure that I didn't end up in that ditch...."
You can do this, Ben...and you will.
"Which makes me considerably smarter than you, John."
He finally wises up and turns...but it's too late.
The shot seems to get him right in the stomach, and he falls next to the bodies as expected.
It'll take a while for him to go, so maybe now he can answer my question. "What did Jacob say to you?"
"Why did you do this?!"
"Because you heard him.....now I need to know what he said."
"Help me!"
Don't debase yourself with calls for mercy, John...it belittles us both. And I have no time for any of that.
"John! I'm not gonna ask you again....what did he say to you?!"
"He said....help me."
No....of all things.
Then that confirms it...
He's done with me.
All that I've done now means nothing to him...he thinks I'm expendable.
Which means I have to prove I'm nothing of the kind. I will not fail in defending our island once more.
Before Jacob and the island...that are paying me back for my loyalty with betrayal....bring John back, as I know they will.
"Well, I certainly hope he helps you, John!!"
When that happens, I will make sure my people realize they can't survive without me by then. That I'm their best hope against the forces of darkness.
I will live to destroy our enemies once and for all, now and forever.
And yet I can't let myself actually look at John as he almost succumbs to the end.
I know he won't really die if the island has anything to do with it, which it will, so it doesn't matter.
That's why I can't waste any more time seeing him think he's gonna die. Yes.
You brought this on yourself, John....there's no one else to blame...
Of all days for today to be...
And this doll is the only good thing I've ever gotten from any of those other days.
The day Mother "died"...the times Dad chose to insult me....the day I thought our war with the outsiders was over, yet it was far from it. Every year, this day has brought nothing but misery, or happiness that later turned to something far worse. It has never failed.
The moment I got this was the only time I experienced what they call a....happy birthday. And that only lasted a few minutes.
And considering where we are now, remembering those few minutes is the only thing that's making me feel content with myself and where I am.
This doll is such a small thing, yet something that represents the only true fondness I ever received...
"What you got there?" I resist myself from sounding more upset at Richard than I actually am. "Its a birthday present. Mine just happens to be today. You do remember birthdays, don't you Richard?" For anyone else, that wouldn't be such a loaded question...
"So do you want me to bring the tape back to Juliet?" We're going over the simplest parts of the plan now? "The tape with your instructions for Juliet, do you want me to bring it back to the medical station?"
I thought he was too smart to be that forgetful and shortsighted. Naturally he proves me wrong at the worst time! "I recorded it yesterday, before we left, I thought you already took it!"
After he says he didn't, I can tell there's no more need to go over this with him. Maybe I'll have better luck with Tom, he hasn't made a costly mistake in this plan yet. "Where's Tom?" Obviously he's outside, so I go out to see exactly where. "Tom! Have you seen my recorder?"
He's there, but he doesn't even seem to be paying attention to me. Why wouldn't he...
It can't be.
Not after I realized what a mistake I could have made.
After that, he shows up now?!
"You said that if I killed my father, you'd tell me everything I wanted to know about the island."
He did it now....now that I didn't want him to do it, he did it now?!
John, what did you do?
"So why don't you start at the beginning."
I was willing to ignore how my people first reacted to him. I thought that after all we've been through, and how I was getting better after I saw him, he really could be a help to us. But after I had time to think it over, I saw my error in judgement.
John will never be fully committed to us. He's a man on his own path. He looks out for others if he can, he still has a sense of morality to do so if he cares enough. But his main concern is for him, and what he can learn. He can turn on Jack and his friends in a heartbeat if it means he'll get closer to his destiny, I've seen it. And if he felt he could get even closer to it if he betrayed us, he'll do that too.
That's why if the people think Locke could be special, and help us....if they think he could lead us to survival better than I can...it would result in doom. Because he would turn on anyone if it meant a greater spiritual path for himself- if Dharma ever came back and promised him the answers, he wouldn't think twice about leaving us to slaughter. He cannot lead us. He must not lead us. He would betray us just as soon as he betrayed Jack and Kate at the Barricks. He would ensure our deaths if a smart person gave him the chance- and our enemies, for all their sick desires, are smart people.
As much as I wished he could help us....my time away from him has made me realize he cannot. He would not fight to the death for them as I would. He is not a good leader.
And that is why now, I have to discourage him from knowing what he wants to know. I invite him to the tent for a drink, hoping I can let him down easy.
"I know I promised to tell you everything, John, and I wish it was as simple as me taking out a dusty old book and opening it up." He doesn't even blink when I hand out the glass- he obviously doesn't care how simple or not simple this is. "But its not that simple."
"How about you just tell me." Terrific- none of his cohorts were ever interested in actually knowing the truth about what this place was, and who we were- they just assumed we were evil without actually learning about us. Now he finally wants direct answers- of course, that had to happen now.
I'm going to have to mention him now. There's no other way left to deter John.
"You probably think I'm the leader of this little community. But that's not entirely true. We all answer to someone, John."
"And whom might that be?" As if there is a waking or unwaking second in my life that I could forget that name. "His name is Jacob."
"Ok then. Take me to Jacob." He continues to be steadier than I've ever seen him...I don't like this new John. "I can't do that."
He's getting up now, and unfortunatly I don't think it's because he's giving up on this. "Where are you going?"
"Hell Ben, if you don't wanna take me maybe someone else will. I'll just go and ask Richard..." Of all people to bring up...
"Why would Richard take you? He doesn't know where Jacob is, he doesn't talk to Jacob..."
"Well who talks to him?" I have to explain that it's only me and no one else, and he looks even more disbelieving as I go on. But I might as well keep going, I've got nothing else to go on now. "I was born here on this Island, I'm one of the last that was. Most of these people you see, I brought them here, so Jacob talks to me, John. He tells me what to do, trusts me."
"And, no one else has ever seen him?" I confirm it. It's not like it was my idea....considering all I've been through with that man, how much better could the rest of them handle him? Not well...I've barely made it out clean with him sometimes, after all...
"You know what I think, Ben? I think there is no Jacob. I think your people are idiots if they believe you take orders from someone else. You are the man behind the curtain, the Wizard of Oz. And you're a liar."
After everything I've done, everything I've had done to me, he dares to think I'm making this all up....he hasn't seen what I've seen, experienced what I experienced- nor does he deserve to, after that outburst. "And what might you base that theory on, John?"
"Because if you were telling the truth, your hand wouldn't be shaking."
I can't even hide that by covering it up with my other hand.
I would almost give credit to John for tripping me up for the first time ever...if he did it at any other time.
The weak and foolish John Locke appears to be dead...now I wish I hadn't played such a part in killing him.
***********************************************
"Where is Ben!!! Where is he!!!"
The accent is unmistakable....though I was told it would never be heard again.
But I see the man who owns it, now alive...finally, some good news, though maybe not all that surprising. "I thought you were dead." I say to Mikhail.
"I'm fortunate the pylons were not set to a lethal level." I don't entirely buy that that's how it happened, but there's no time to nitpick. Once I see John come out, I suddenly remember why Mikhail was supposed to be dead in the first place- so that negates the good news, of course. "What is he doing here? He's the one who tried to kill me!"
"He's with us now." This is no time for any infighting, we don't need any more complications. He was desperate to talk to me, so I should focus on why that is. "Where have you been Mikhail?"
"I encountered several of his people in the jungle. They had an injured woman with them. Apparently she had just parachuted onto the Island."
No....
"What?!"
"Her helo crashed into water. She says her ship is approximately 130 clicks to the West of us. She has a radio telephone."
No one was supposed to find this island after the sky turned purple...no one was supposed to find it even before the sky turned purple...
It's finally happening...
"Where is she now?"
"I assume they have taken her back to their camp." Which we're already going to soon enough....if this is what I fear, it's even more important we get the pregnant women to safety. They can do what they want with Jack and his friends, but the babies we can save are not for them.
But considering everything that would have to happen for them to actually get here....I doubt they could do it before our raid. I doubt they even know how. Nothing Jack tells her will help them....so I let myself relax at this. We still have time..."We'll be visiting their camp day after tomorrow, we'll take care of it then."
"Day after tomorrow? We have to go now." Mikhail is in danger of worrying the entire group, so I'll have to calm him down.
"Ben's not going anywhere with you." This has nothing to do with John, so why is he barging into this? He should be sharing Mikhail's worry, considering how he doesn't want anyone coming here too.
"He and I are going to see Jacob."
I can tell he doesn't care much about what this "news" is doing to this camp. Or the negative impact this is going to have long term. "Please tell me this isn't true, Benjamin." Mikhail more than anyone looks very concerned. But at least he's given me the excuse I need to focus on something else. John of all people will have to understand the seriousness of this new threat.
"I'm sorry I have to deal with this now, John. Our excursion will have to wait."
Mikhail turns out to be the first responder. "Since when do you explain yourself to him? An outsider..."
I don't know which of those words inspired John to beat him up....probably not the first time he's done it. So why isn't anyone stopping him? "Tom?! Richard!!"
I hinted that I want this to stop, why aren't they listening?!
Is John destroying my legitimacy already?!
"So when do we leave?" he bothers to ask when he's done.
Again, he's outsmarted me...
I do not like the new John Locke.
**************************************************
We need water for the trip, so I go collect it for us. John's got his way for now, but I can still question the terrible way he got it done. He might have ensured that Mikhail is the only one left who has no doubts about me, and he beat him up for it. "You know you didn't have to beat Mikhail senseless to make your point, John."
"Yes I did." Of course he doesn't bother to explain why.
"Locke?" Alex? How much of this did she see?
"I hear you're gonna go see Jacob. You're gonna need this." Where did she get that gun? Her weapon of choice is a slingshot...and yet she gives the gun to John?!
Now even she is turning to him instead of me?! Perhaps considering her past rebellions, that's not surprising....but this speaks more volumes to the groups feelings about John than anything.
"Happy birthday, Dad." she actually says before she go, as if she actually hopes I have one....well, no worry about that.
When we head back to camp, I have only one last idea left to put some doubt into him.
"Something you should know, John, before we go. Whether or not you think he's the Wizard of Oz, I can assure you that Jacob is very very real. And we're gonna go see him, and he's not gonna like it. In fact I have a feeling he's going to be very angry. And that's why my hand was shaking because this is not a man you go and see. This is a man who summons you."
"Well, I guess there's a first time for everything." Of course there is...
That's it, then. No going around it now. He's forced me to do this.
There's only one possible outcome that can help me now...
***********************************************
The walk to the cabin is pretty uneventful- almost too calming, considering what's about to happen. John actually notices the ash at one point, but I get him away before he asks any questions. Luckly, he's still pretty single minded and can't focus on two things at a time.
"We're here."
And soon enough, the cabin is right there...an unimposing, delapidated, broken down place that betrays the true terror of what's inside.
And John's flashlight certainly isn't going to help things. "You'll wanna turn off your flashlight, John." He asks why, and I answer "Jacob feels the same way about technology as you do."
At least that's one amusing thing I can think of in this whole mess. I light the lantern, like I've done so many times before- the whole routine has practically been engraved in my DNA by now. With one major difference this time, of course.
I'm giving him one more chance to spare himself...
"Once I open this door, there's no turning back. You sure this is what you want?"
His steps forward does more than any words could.
Then it's back to hoping for that one helpful outcome...for my own good....and for his.
"So be it." It's time....
Assuming he hasn't sensed what's coming, I might as well give him fair warning. "Jacob! I'm here with John Locke. We're coming in now."
The usual squeaking comes from the door when I open it, as do the usual noises when I walk in.
And there he is. Where he always has been.
"The Man Behind the Curtain" himself....and no one but me could imagine the horror if he ever stepped out of it.
His every look and detail are more familar to me than anything I've ever looked at...I can honestly say I know everything he could possibly do to react to this.
The look he gives me doesn't betray any emotion, one way or the other. So I have my opening to give a proper introduction. "Jacob. This is John."
I described John well enough to him that he shouldn't be surprised at how he looks in person. I almost feel curious about how Jacob will regard John in person, after all I told him. But Jacob stays quiet, in his still, patient manner, waiting for John to make the first move.
Which he still hasn't done. "Aren't you going to say hello, John?"
"What?"
Then it's true....the one outcome I hoped for has happened. If I can just keep up my surprise and hold up against his confusion, we can get out of here unscathed.
Jacob actually looks surprised that he can't see him, but I know better. I told him so, during our talks about what would happen if the survivors ever stumbled onto him. "I told you he wouldn't.", I say to him, looking for what he has to say to that. But John answers first.
"Who, what are you talking about?" Just keep up your surprise...
"You can't see him?"
"See who?"
"Jacob!" John isn't smart enough to pretend that he doesn't see him....I could if I had to, but John cannot hide things like I can. A few moments of pretending to be shocked he can't see him should do it. "He's sitting right here. In this chair."
Jacob interrupts me with his complaints, which is almost good since it'll look to John like I'm talking to nothing. "Yes, I know, but he insisted..." It doesn't look like Jacob is completly satisfied, but I'll deal with him later.
"What is this?"
"You wanted the secrets of the Island, well here they are. This is the man who can answer every single...."
Then Jacob sees fit to interrupt with quite a lie about me. "I am not..." Then he continues his complaints- they may be good to fool John some more, but he's beginning to complain too much. "He made me bring him here, do you think that that was my..."
And yet he continues- why does everyone see fit to defy me and contradict me today?! "Sorry, may I finish?"
"You're crazy." John's managed to outdo Jacob in the insult department- it's good for me in the long run, but I'd rather not have to be called that word in the short. "Excuse me?"
"You don't know anything about the Island do you?" Whatever he says next is interrupted by Jacob- he's both helping and hurting things all at once with his outbursts. I'm starting to think he's enjoying this.
"Jacob please I can't hear him... if you're gonna talk over..."
"Stop. Stop. Shut up!!!" Even Jacob looks stunned by John's outburst....almost too stunned.
"You putting on a show for me? Or do you....do you really think there's someone there?"
Once more, I say the truth....and once more, someone isn't going to believe me. Yet again, that actually is going to work for me. "I know there's someone there."
"You don't know anything."
He's going off now...this little scare is almost over. He isn't worthy after all...now maybe I can coexist with him again, even after all this. Maybe he is still useful in other ways...
But I may need to say one more thing to keep him from suspecting that I set this up, knowing what would happen. "I'm sorry you feel that way, John. And I'm sorry that you're too limited to see."
"You're pathetic." I think I can live with that- better than the alternative. It's over now.
Wait. Why did John turn around when he was about to leave? There's no reason for him to do that.
"What did you just say?"
What did I say...I know I didn't....
Wait....he couldn't have...
Jacob, what did you just do...?
"I, I didn't say anything."
"Oh yes you did, I heard you." Walk away now, John...wait, put that light down! "You said..."
Jacob, no!!
This is no time for you to do this again!
You save using your powers this way until after he leaves! But he's not doing it!
He's wrecking this place just like he always does at times like this, to prove he has the power....does he realize what he's doing now?!
I almost begin to let myself think he does...
I can't think with him doing this!
"That's enough, you've had your fun!!"
He shoved me!
The bastard....
He is doing this on purpose!
And now he's actually looking at John, and now he looks like he actually saw him!
I rush frantically to clean up the mess Jacob made after John leaves...I don't even have time to confront Jacob for what he did.
I don't think he's too fond of talking to me right now, either.
After all I did for him, all I let him do to me, he does this to me?!
I've done nothing but what he told me to do for the island, and he pays me back like this now?! With what's about to come?!
He has to know the new threat that's on the horizon, and yet he fractures my leadership anyway?! John can't do what I can, he can't save us! He'll sell us out to the highest bidder if someone promises him answers and says he's special! He's a gullible fool, and you think he can save us better than me?!!
That can't happen...
It won't.
When I leave the cabin, I begin to realize there's only one way to stop it.
One way to make sure I can do what I must.
One final solution to keep John from taking Jacob, taking my people, and taking us to oblivion.
But to do that, I have to wait.
"What was that?!" he asks as if he didn't just figure it out. But again, I have to betray my true emotions until the time comes.
"That was Jacob."
*********************************************
By the time it's morning, and by the time we get close to the location, I've almost come to terms with what must happen.
I didn't want it, but it can't end any other way. He brought this on himself. He made me have no other choice.
But before it happens, I need to know what Jacob told him. Was it that he wants him to overthrow me? Was it something about the island? Does it affect me or my people? If Jacob went to that much trouble to communicate with him behind my back, I need to know what he wants- what he doesn't want me to be aware of.
"What did you hear in there, John? What did Jacob say to you?"
"He didn't say anything to me. You did." Is he still that naive? Even if he is, he won't be soon enough if Jacob has his way. He'll find a way to prove himself to John if I'm not successful.
"What are you talking about?" I go on, pretending to not know.
"There is no Jacob, Ben. I'm not gonna be taken in by the little show you put on last night. You're a fraud. And its time your people were told the truth. And this is not the way we came!"
No surprise that his legendary tracking skills are still intact. "I'm taking us back another way. I wanted to show you something first."
"I've seen enough." If only you said that yesterday....it's too late now, sadly.
"You know, John, you're not wrong, some of the things I've told you, some of the things I've told everybody, are simply not true." What the hell, no harm in admitting a couple of things now... "Like what?"
"Well, for starters, I wasn't born on this island."
A small lie, really....I remember nothing about my life before I came here, and this is my home. All of my real life has been on this island, so how is it a big lie to say I've been here all my life- technically, I've lived here for all of my real life, so what's the difference? Still, I don't trust our recruited people to know the difference.
"Then where did you come from?"
"That's what I wanna show you."
And soon enough, we arrive.
The remains of the Purge....my Purge.
The people that either were dupes in their masters deranged plans, or willingly carried out their evil. We could not let ourselves tell the difference on that day.
I am glad I'm doing this here. It reminds me of what I had to do to survive. If I didn't do it, the people that gave me a relief from my pathetic life would be dead, and I would be a drone left to carry out untold atrocities. I would not have a real home. I would not have real people I wanted to work with. I would not be a responsible leader of men and women. I would probably be dead.
If I don't do this, and I don't do what I have to over the next few days, all this will be for nothing.
I will have been a mass murderer of drones and bad guys for nothing. All I would have done is delay our own inevitable murder.
If what I did all those years ago means anything good...what I do now must not be stopped.
"This is where I came from, John. These are my people. The DHARMA Initiative! They came here seeking harmony, but they couldn't even coexist with the Island's original inhabitants. And when it became clear that one side had to go....one side had to be purged....I did what I had to do."
"I was one of the people that was smart enough to make sure that I didn't end up in that ditch...."
You can do this, Ben...and you will.
"Which makes me considerably smarter than you, John."
He finally wises up and turns...but it's too late.
The shot seems to get him right in the stomach, and he falls next to the bodies as expected.
It'll take a while for him to go, so maybe now he can answer my question. "What did Jacob say to you?"
"Why did you do this?!"
"Because you heard him.....now I need to know what he said."
"Help me!"
Don't debase yourself with calls for mercy, John...it belittles us both. And I have no time for any of that.
"John! I'm not gonna ask you again....what did he say to you?!"
"He said....help me."
No....of all things.
Then that confirms it...
He's done with me.
All that I've done now means nothing to him...he thinks I'm expendable.
Which means I have to prove I'm nothing of the kind. I will not fail in defending our island once more.
Before Jacob and the island...that are paying me back for my loyalty with betrayal....bring John back, as I know they will.
"Well, I certainly hope he helps you, John!!"
When that happens, I will make sure my people realize they can't survive without me by then. That I'm their best hope against the forces of darkness.
I will live to destroy our enemies once and for all, now and forever.
And yet I can't let myself actually look at John as he almost succumbs to the end.
I know he won't really die if the island has anything to do with it, which it will, so it doesn't matter.
That's why I can't waste any more time seeing him think he's gonna die. Yes.
You brought this on yourself, John....there's no one else to blame...
