"Let's head over to the Pub, for a drink" Said the old man. Alright but it is a bit late, don't you think? "Nonsense, hee, hee!" We walked over to a pub located in yet another Tudor style building, the place was musty and dirty, nothing good comes out here I thought. We sat at the bar. "Two Whiskey Sours Ethel!' "You got any money Elijah?" "My friend here will take care of it!" He laughed and cleaned the saliva foaming from his lips and did a bit of a jig, "Yes I got it". The bar maid brought us our drinks and just as I was about to grab mine a large man in plaid shirt, complete with fish blood soaked overalls, grabbed it, threw it back in one gulp and said "Who's your boyfriend Elijah?" "Oh nobody Marcus. Just a lost tourist is all". "Why is he buying the town drunk a drink?" "Some people are still kind in this world, Marcus", "Yeah well tell him to be careful, I wouldn't want him to get hurt with all that kindness..." With that, he walked away. "That was a close one Mister, see what I mean!" "I'm going over to talk to him...", "If you know what's best for you, you'll stay as far away from him as possible, you hear me?" "OK, old man, I won't talk to Marcus , tell me what you know. "Another drink and I'd be happy to..."
"Well, Montauk is a curious place, always has been. Although this place looks like a quiet seaside town, it's a place that mourns everyday", "How so?". "This place we call Montauk is sacred. It's a place that has seen its share of sadness. Ever wonder why this place attracts the artistic soul? Especially the tortured ones? Montauk calls to them, misery loves company I suppose. That Jackson Pollack near went mad out here, couldn't take it, gave in to the drink. This sadness in Montauk all began with what we did to those poor Indians.You see, most people know about the injustice most natives suffered across this here great country of ours, same is true here in Montauk, with one big difference..." "What's that?" " Had these Indians known their land would be more valuable than gold they'd had never given it away, not for the pennies they received at least. That Lion Gardiner, the one that owns that Island yonder, suckered those poor Indians with some booze and trinkets for a whole damn Island! Now it's true this land wasn't always as valuable as it is today but the Indians certainly never got their fair share for what was once theirs.Why all of East Hampton Township, snookered from the Montauk Indian! I learned this back when I was a kid: "All the neck of land called Montauk, with all and every part and parcel thereof from sea to sea, from the utmost end of the land eastward to the sea-side, unto the other end of the said land westward, adjoining to the bounds of East Hampton...with meadow, wood, stone, creeks, ponds, and whatsoever doth or may grow upon or issue from the same, with all the profits and commodities, by sea or land, unto the aforesaid inhabitants of East Hampton, their heirs and assigns, forever." Guess how much the English paid for all of that, the entire Township in other words...30 pounds, about 1000.00 dollars in today's money. No, those natives got what was coming to them, a destiny sadder than any people could imagine to suffer. To this day Montauk remembers. It pervades every square inch of this land, every stone, tree and shrub cry in remembrance." "Why because they made the worst real estate deal in the history of mankind?" "No. Of course not. Money means nothing to those Indians. They lost their home but even greater they lost their freedom to walk among their spirits. If you pay attention...close attention you can feel their their spirit, it cry's out I tell ya!" Elijah was wide eyed and overly excited by now, "OK old man, I don't believe it happened exactly like that but I get it; this place and country has a checkered history, no doubt but how does this fit in with the Montauk Man, is he some Indian, sorry, Native American super hero?" "I'm getting to it, but first I need another drink" "Listen it's late, can we talk again tomorrow? It's been a rough night so far." "Sure thing Mister, I'm at the Rec center. can't miss it....", "I'll see you tomorrow, I need to get some rest" "OK Sunny, before you go, how about that drink! Don't do anything foolish!" With that I bought Elijah another drink and left the bar. I stepped outside into the biting cold air, breathing in hard the salt laden air from the Atlantic ocean breeze. I was without my car so I headed down the side walk to look for a cab, and turned down a poorly lit side street. As I did a hand, more like a giant fist came straight at my face; That was all I remembered. I woke up groggy, lying on the sidewalk, my face felt like a truck hit it. My wallet was at my side and all my cash was gone...I picked myself up, brushed myself off looked around and saw no one. Maybe I should go back to the police station to report this, yeah right...I need to get back to the hotel. As I stood there a cab rolled up, "Need a ride?"
I entered the the Manor and was met straight away by Devon, "Oh my, what happened to you...?" Devon snickered as he shook his head back and forth "Tisk, Tisk, Tisk, You need any assistance?" "No I don't think so, I'll be OK" "We'll if you need anything, like a bandage, ointment or a pirates eye patch let me know..." (grinning). "You know what you can do with that pirates patch..." I left before he could respond and up to my room I went. I checked myself out in the bathroom mirror, What a mess, I looked like a prize fighter who just lost a fight, badly. Where was the Montauk man to help me out I sarcastically thought? I had a nice big black and blue shiner under my eye. I washed my face with cold water to try and bring down the swelling and then jumped in the shower. I should have left Montauk when I had the chance.....I went to bed without eating a thing and fell fast asleep. I awoke early in the morning. "Is this a dream or did I really get mugged for the first time?" Maybe I'm being toyed with, after all, who the hell gets robbed on the streets of Montauk?
I spent much of the next day just lounging around, sleeping and just generally taking it easy. It was getting dark and well into evening when I thought, "Let's stay here at the Manor for dinner, no traveling today" I got dressed as snappy as I could and left for the Dining hall. Now this was no ordinary dining hall. Imagine joining King Edward at his royal table for dinner time, that's what this felt like. The Maitre'd sat me down near a huge stone arch not far from the king sized fireplace which was roaring with a glorious fire that warmed my bones... "Ah, now this beats getting punched in the face, (grin), I hope the food is as good as the ambiance..." I was preparing myself for the evenings culinary delight when I spotted her, the woman from the beach, the one staring out into infinity. Was it really her? She was with the same man from the beach but she didn't seem terribly happy, sad in fact. I couldn't help but feel some connection to her, I needed to meet her, but how? How do you make contact with a total stranger at a fancy restaurant who is in the company of another male? Time to think.
Stay tuned for part 5
Copyright Lewis Portal
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