The Reckoning

“The Reckoning”

The Trailside Diner looked like so many small, nondescript cafes that dot the highways all over the country; white clapboard siding, an asphalt shingle roof and a tired old neon sign that was barely bright enough to read. Mark was only a few steps inside the entrance when a sturdily built red haired woman with a black apron wrapped around ample hips walked up to him. “Mornin’, hon, you can sit anywhere you’d like.”

“I’m meeting someone here”, he replied, just as a man in a suede jacket, waving at him, caught his attention. “Oh, I think that’s him there in the first booth.” He smiled at her and walked over to the man. “John?”

“That’s me.” The man smiled and stood up, extending his hand. “John Meecum, and Mark, I recognize you from your picture in your column.” What You Should Know” by Mark Driscoll is on my regular reading list.”

They shook hands and sat down. “Gee, I’ve only been with the paper for six months and you’re the first person who’s recognized me. Is that enough to make me a celebrity?” He laid his laptop case on the booth seat beside him.

Before they could settle into their seats the woman in the apron came over and stood by the table. The red plastic name tag on her blouse told them her name was Dorie.

“Can I get you boys some coffee to start?”

John answered, “Sure, mine’s decaf and black.”

Mark added, “Mine’s regular, also black.”

Dorie nodded and sighed. “Two men, two pots…okay.” She walked away shaking her head.

John watched her for a moment, smiling. “I get the impression she thinks we’re overworking her.”

While Mark opened his bag and pulled out a few things he said, “I appreciate your meeting me here this morning, John, especially because this place isn’t exactly on the beaten path. And unless you have an objection I’d like to record our conversation.”

While Mark laid a small recorder on the table and turned it on, John replied, “Oh, I’m glad to do it. From what you told me on the phone it sounds like you’re working on an interesting story.”

“Well, I hope it will be, and having a local historian like you help me fill in some background stuff will really help.”

Mark unfolded a small map and laid it on the table between them. The title block read PLANNED ELK CREEK ESTATES. Before he could begin his presentation to John, Dorie returned carrying a tray. She set two coffee pots on the table then cups in front of each of them. “You boys hungry this mornin’?”

Mark looked at John and seemed to read his mind. “We’ll need a few minutes to look at the menu first, if you wouldn’t mind coming back in a little while.”

Again she sighed. “Sure, no rush.” As she turned to leave she looked down at the map and saw the title. “Oh, that’s the big, new housin’ project up on Elk Creek Road. I hear it’s really gonna’ be first class.”

Even though the project wasn’t a secret Mark didn’t want a lot of people to know he was involved with it in any way, especially because he was writing an article about the developer. “Yep, that’s the one.” He reached for his pot of coffee and filled his cup, his arms and hands purposely blocking her view of the map. She looked at both men and walked away.

John was smiling. “I hope you didn’t think Elk Creek Estates was a big secret around here.”

“No, but my article is going to be more about Compass Development than the houses and details. They have sort of a reputation and it’s not a good one. They come into a town, bring their own crews and screw over the locals.”

John pulled the map toward himself and said, “So tell me what you have here.”

“It’s a topographical map of the project. The part here where the lines are farther apart is the flat area in the center where a trailer park is located now. What can you tell me about that?”

“There’s not much to tell. The trailers have been there since the early 1970s. The land was part of the old Jacobsen ranch. The story is that Lars Jacobsen got himself into a little jam with a local girl and needed to buy his way out. He sold that parcel to a trailer park developer. The whole thing happened very quickly and the road and trailers were in place injust a few months.”

“That’s interesting. I dug through some filings at the courthouse but didn’t find anything unusual  about this parcel of land.”

“That’s how Jacobsen operated; quietly, with minimal paperwork and cash only. You’re new to this town, Mark. Casper is cowboy country and things get done differently here”. He turned and looked across the room. “See those two old boys over there in the corner?

Mark looked at the two grizzled men in jeans and Stetsons. “Yeah, they look like they’ve spent their lives on horseback.”

John smiled. “Well, they might look rustic to you but don’t underestimate them. They know how to work the angles.”

Mark laughed, thinking how much of a journey he’d made from Los Angeles to Casper. “Well, there’s something I heard. At the courthouse the clerk helping me told me there was a rumor that the trailer park was sitting on an old Indian burial ground and it was never investigated.”

“I’ve heard that rumor too. The park went in a couple of years before the American Indian Movement came into being so there was no activism like there is today. A few local Cheyenne leaders looked into it but there was no organized effort so it all died quietly. Then came the trailers.”

“So there was no burial ground?”

“That wasn’t officially determined. To make sure nothing stopped him, the developer came up with a bizarre argument for why it shouldn’t matter either way. He said the park would only have one trench from the road for utilities. And since the trailers had no basements and were just set on concrete slabs there wouldn’t be a lot of digging.”

Mark shook his head. “And the city council actually bought that line of shit?”

“Yep, and the tribe never got its act together. There were meetings but nothing got done and eventually the whole investigation was abandoned. Like I said, this is cowboy country and the cowboys always beat the Indians. But I think things might change.” He leaned forward. “When Compass first announced this project, most people thought it was a good thing. An old trailer park would go away and be replaced with new, modern housing. It sounded like a win-win for everyone, everyone except the Cheyenne.”

“So is the tribe going to try and block this one?”

“Yep, with everything they’ve got. A few days ago I got a call from Daniel Littlewolf, the President of the Northern Cheyenne Nation. He asked me to help them get some historic background on the area, and I’ve asked the State Historic Office to look at it too. The governing body of the tribe is the Council of 44 and they have a whole lot of clout at the capitol. I have a feeling this time the Indians might finally beat the cowboys.”

“Will it stop the project?

“At the very least it could delay it by as much as a year depending on what they find. Compass might end up with a bunch of big houses on the hills wrapped around a sacred graveyard, a big piece of ground they can’t touch. That’s why I think you should work on your story as carefully and quietly as possible. Thing just might get ugly.”

They were interrupted by Dorie. “Ready for some breakfast?”

Mark looked at John and shook his head. “No, I think I’ll just stay with coffee.”

Her frown didn’t surprise John. “Me too, Dorie, just coffee.”

She took both pots and refilled their cups. “Excuse me, I don’t mean to pry but is that Indian burial ground rumor still goin’ around?”

Mark found her nosiness irritating.  Her powers of hearing were amazing. “Well, I’m new around here and I was just curious.”

Before she turned to leave she said, “I haven’t heard any talk about that in years.” They watched her walk across the room to the two cowboys at the corner table. “Bud, Howie, you boys doin’ okay here? Need anythin’ else?”

The men had been deep in conversation and weren’t happy about the interruption. The tall man in the corner chair answered firmly, “No, Dorie, I think we’re okay, maybe more coffee in a while.” He waited for her to leave then turned to his friend. “So, Bud, let me get this straight. From what you’re tellin’ me we’ve only got two more signatures to go then we can call Compass. Who’s left on the list?”

“You can probably guess. It’s the same two that are always a pain in the ass; Sam Grover and Don Becker.”

“Jesus Christ, what’s their problem? We stand to make a killin’ sellin’ our places but Compass made it clear it’s gotta be all of us or no deal.”

“Well, we’re close. I think when we tell those guys that twenty three of us want to sell and they’re  the only ones draggin’ their heels, the pressure will get to em’.”

“Did you tell em’ what deep pockets Compass has? They’ll try to bargain with us on a price but if we do this right we can really jack em’ up. Some of us are gettin’ ready to retire and all that money will make a sweet nest egg.

Bud leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Howie, I know what you mean. Our trailers are old and most of em’ have leaky rooves and leaky windows. When I went around knockin’ on doors I convinced everyone, well everyone but Sam and Don, that we can get two or three times what our places are worth plus a bonus if we move out fast. I told them if we don’t close a deal with Compass real soon there won’t be anyone else linin’ up to buy their places.”

“What do you think it’ll take to convince em’?”

“I don’t know. I think maybe if we got Sam out for a few drinks we could get him to come around. He’s only on the fence because Mary is attached to the place. It was their first home and where they raised their two brats, but money talks and I think Sam can get her to listen.”

“And Don, what’s his problem?”

“Oh, you know how he gets. He likes to think he’s in charge, the big man of Apple Grove Mobile Park. If it’s not his idea then it’s not important. I might need your help with him. Meanwhile, keep this between the two of us.”

Once again Dorie suddenly appeared at their table and started to refill their coffee. She looked at them both and said, “Guys, I’m not pryin’ or bein’ nosy but did I hear you say the trailer park is sellin’ out?”

Bud rolled his eyes and sighed. “Dorie, we’re just talkin’ here, kind of throwin’ out ideas.” He hoped she wouldn’t show any more interest. She did.

“Like I said, I’m not bein’ nosy. It’s just that those two guys over there in the front corner are talkin’ about the trailer park too and I thought it was kind of a coincidence.”

Both men turned and looked over at Mark and John. Bud turned back to Howie. “Recognize em’?”

“Nope, never saw either of em’ in here before.” They looked at Dorie and she quietly said, “Well, I never saw em’ either but they have a funny lookin’ map with them. It’s the new development, the one with the really big houses, and the one guy said the trailer park was smack in the middle of it.”

Howie looked at Mark and John again then back at Dorie. “Do us a favor, let us know if you hear them say anythin’ else, okay?” Dorie nodded and walked away.

Howie looked around. “I wonder what that’s all about. He paused a moment then continued. “Okay, so assumin’ we get Sam on board, Don’s the only one standin’ in the way of makin’ a deal with Compass, right?”

“Yep, we get Don to sign and we’re golden. Compass says when we’re all on board they’ll start writin’ checks. Better start thinkin’ about what you’re gonna do with all that money.”

Dorie was in the kitchen when the two well dressed men walked in. They stood looking around at the four other customers and the four other customers looked right back. The men weren’t sure if they should wait or find a seat. Dorie spotted them and called out as she approached them, “Mornin’ ,boys. You can sit anywhere you’d like.” She walked over to the waitress station, grabbed a pot of coffee and two menus then followed the men to a booth in the back corner. “Geez,” she muttered, “I’m walkin’ some miles this mornin’.”

The men sat in silence while Dorie filled their cups. “You wanna’ see some menus?” They both said, “Okay.” She hovered beside their table for a moment and finally said, “I don’t mean to be nosy but you boys don’t look like you’re from around here.” She waited for a reply.

The man in the left seat looked up from his menu long enough to answer, “We’re not,” then went back to his reading. That was all he said and Dorie took it as a sign they weren’t looking for conversation. When she walked away the same man said to his friend, “See, Chad, I told you when you asked to come along, you’d see a lot of local color.”

Chad laughed and looked around to make sure no one was within earshot. “That run down old trailer park was a real sight and this place is just as classy. Our project will really help this town get out of its own way.”

“Yeah, I can’t understand how anyone can live in a place like this. Nothing to do and nowhere to go. Not enough girls and too many trees.”

“Mitch, face it, you’re the quintessential city boy.”

“Yeah, I need my nightlife and a Beemer, not a pick-up truck. I wonder what they do for fun around here.”

“Next trip back how about we check out the downtown?”

“Yeah, that should take about five minutes.”

They looked over their menus and Mitch waved to catch Dorie’s attention. When she reached the table he asked, “Can I get an egg white omelet?”

Dorie seemed surprised. “You mean with just the whites? What about the yolks?”

Mitch sighed. “I want an omelet without the yolks.”

“Well then, how is that an omelet?”

He looked over at Chad who was trying to hold back a grin. “Never mind, just give us a few more minutes.”

When they saw that Dorie was busily engaged at refilling the napkin holders on other tables they felt comfortable restarting their conversation. Mitch said, “Man, I hope we won’t have to make too many more trips to this place.”

“Chad nodded in agreement. “I don’t think we’ll have to. I got a call from some guy from the trailer park on Tuesday and he said they only needed two more signatures and then they could sign off on the property. I got the impression they think we’re going to pay them a fortune for those rusty old boxes. He gave me his number and I told him I’d call him while we’re here.”

“Good. Unless those damn trailers are gone we won’t have a community park in the middle of the place, and without it we won’t have a project.”

“And without the project you and I might be looking for new jobs.”

Neither man had done more than glance at their menus and when Dorie returned she impatiently waited while they did a quick scan of their choices. They both figured it was pointless to ask for anything that wasn’t clearly listed on the menu so they both ordered the House Special and told Dorie there was no rush.

They talked about the project for a while longer and stopped when Dorie arrived with their orders. They sat in silence as she set the plates down.

She looked at them and asked, “Anythin’ else I can get you boys?”

Chad answered, “No, we’re fine, thank you.” He looked up and was curious when she just stood there. “Is there something else?” he asked.

Dorie hesitated for a moment and then said with a heavy sigh, “Boys, I don’t mean to pry but I heard you talkin’ about the trailer park and it’s just so strange.”

“What’s so strange?”

She turned and nodded toward Mark and John. “See those two boys right there? Well, ever since they first sat down they’ve been talkin’ about the trailer park just like you boys were. And those two old boys there in the corner, they’ve been here for an hour and all they’ve been talkin’ about is that trailer park.” She turned back to Mitch and Chad. “That’s what’s strange. The six of you are the only people in the whole place and you’re all talkin’ about the same trailer park.”

Mitch and Chad looked at Mark and John, who were looking back at them. Then they looked over at Bud and Howie who were also looking back at them. Then they saw Mark and John looking at Bud and Howie. Mitch looked nervous when he asked, “Did you hear them talking about anything else?”

Dorie casually refilled Chad’s cup and answered, “No, not much, just that there’s an old, sacred Indian burial ground sittin’ right under those trailers.”