Heart Of A Spider - Season 1 - Episode 16

Episode 4 years ago

Heart Of A Spider - Season 1 - Episode 16

Burrows checked his watch. “Get
in the cubicle and change. Two hours left and we’re out of
here.”

“We won’t be long,” announced Upp. “This is just one part of the act.”

“Act?”
“Yes. I convince Pat we’re actually shopping. His thought lines are interrupted, deprogrammed.
He’ll entertain ideas using different brain waves. In plain words, his arson thoughts
will be extinguished.”

“Sounds like double dribble to me.”
Upp slapped Burrows gently on the shoulder before stepping into the first cubicle, shutting
the door. Pat mirrored his move.

Pat changed clothes and searched the pockets. He extracted the small rectangular disc which
Upp buried. Studying it, he turned the disc over and spied a thin strip of white paper taped to the
back. He read the two typed words. ‘Push button.’ He raised an eyebrow before, pushing the button.

Burrows stood military style outside the change rooms. He gave every shopper who
approached carrying an arm full of clothes an angry stare.


A few minutes ticked off before the girl behind the counter rolled her eyes and walked over.
“Excuse me, Sir, could you please step away from the change rooms, you’re scaring the other shoppers away.”

“Look girlie I’m here on business,” snarled Burrows. “Since you’re here can you explain the reason why the change room walls go from floor to ceiling?”

“I only work here. I didn’t design the place.”
“Is there anyone else working today who might know the answer to my question?”
“No,” shrieked the girl sarcastically.
“In that case, leave me alone. Go back to the counter and do what you usually do.” Burrows
waved her away as if she were an insect.

“I’m going to ring my boss. You’re defying my request to step away from the change rooms.
You’re causing my nerves to be on edge.”

With tears welling in her eyes, the girl turned her back and sprinted over to the counter. She
snatched the phone from its cradle, stabbing eight numbers on the phone pad. Burrows watched her whispering into the phone. Glancing his way she hung up. Using her purple painted nails she re-stabbed the buttons. She spoke briefly into the mouthpiece before replacing the receiver back on
its hook.

Burrows fidgeted slightly seeing the girl herd a few customers towards the door. He watched
her step outside, pulling the door shut. There was an audible click. She stood, hands on hips,
staring at the man guarding the change room door.

In the ceiling directly above the change cubicles, a manhole cover dropped open. A knotted
rope fell. Pat grinned and started to shimmy up the rope. Upp sat in the roof cavity, waiting. His
grin appeared to widen the closer Pat got to the top knot.

Upp put a finger to his lips, reached down, pulling up the rope. He closed the manhole cover
and signaled Pat to follow. A sharp narrow beam of light from a thin torch led the way along a
plank of wood. When Upp and Pat climbed through a maintenance door into bright sunlight, they marched across the roof to a waiting helicopter. Upp opened the door and waited for Pat to climb
aboard.

“How long have you been planning this breakout?” Pat questioned.
“Not long. If your next question is of the helicopter, it’s a rental.”

Upp slipped behind the controls. He reached up and fired up the engines. Grinning, he pulled
back on the control stick. The helicopter lifted off the shopping complex roof. Pat folded his arms
noting they were flying directly at the sun. Five minutes of flying time found them hovering over a
field where a black limousine appeared to be parked in the North corner. The driver, dressed in a crisp dark blue uniform opened the rear door before the reverberating throb of the helicopter
blades begun to diminish.
“Before we walk across the grass to the car, I’ve a question,” said Pat, stepping from the
chopper.

Upp stopped walking and stared.
“When do I have my revenge?”
“Don’t be concerned. You’ll have a chance real soon.”

“For your sake, I hope you’re not lying? Every cell in my body is screaming out for revenge. I
want Kendal to pay for my predicament. I want him to pay by losing his life.”

Upp flashed the automatic Glock resting comfortably in his shoulder holster. “Let me warn
you. If a letter of a single word leaks out about any of this you’ll be quickly silenced. I can very
easily explain your death. The irst example could go something like this. We fought. The gun went
off. You were shot and killed. You’re the one the cops will be searching for. Not me.” He grabbed
Pat by the arm. “I have lots of examples to choose from, would you like to hear a few more?”
Pat spat at his face then broke free of his grip. “Let me tell you something you little shriveled
up weed of a man. If I don’t get my revenge I won’t give you a chance to pull the trigger of the
gun. Do you understand what I’m saying? Or do you want me to say it extra slow so it can sink in
through your thick head?”

“I understand lots of things. You’ll work for me. You will do exactly what you’re told. You
will be my new heart of a spider. If you prove you’re the perfect choice, I will give you what you
want. It’s up to you how long it’ll take.”

“This whole charade sounds like blackmail.”
“I call it a business arrangement. We both need each other to accomplish the goal of the
other.”

“Stalemate,” hissed Pat.
“You needn’t worry. You’ll have your chance. Now let’s go.”

They walked across the grass like they were married and sat in the back of the limo. Pat
viewed the helicopter for the last time. He looked ahead deciding not to mutter a word for the rest
of the trip.

When the car pulled up outside a seven-storey building Upp led the way to the lift. He
reached out to press the fifth-floor button.
“There’s one thing I need to know?” asked Pat, the moment the lift doors slid shut.
“You don’t need to know anything else.”
“I know you need money. You’ve gone through a lot of bother to spring me from my
inevitable incarceration. There has to be more to this story than you’re letting on. What’s in all of this for you?”

“Good question,” jeered Upp. He swiped the electronic card in the slot and opened the motel
room door. “Make yourself at home. There’s the bed, TV, phone for room service, balcony to sit
and reflect on life. The only thing you can’t do is leave the room.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”
“When the time is right I’ll answer.”
“When?” whispered Pat.
“When the time is right,” replied Upp. He walked to the balcony and stepped outside. He
studied each of the windows of the building across the street before dropping his gaze to the street
below. When he faced Pat he seemed to be relaxed.