Chapter 34: Nuisance Eliminator Technique (1/2)
In a carriage full of unfortunate people, a young man was on cloud nine as he happily conversed with his nearby friend…..or so he thought.
”The ancient southern kingdoms were embroiled in war....” he kept talking looking forward as he talked to his friend sitting directly beside him.
”Hmmm,” replied his 'friend'.
”I know right. Ancient history is really fun. To think, they would spend all of their time-fighting. Blah, blah, blah, blah....”
That was what Jake, his so-called friend, heard.
After some time on the carriage, Jerry, the talkative, had tried to strike a conversation with him. Of course, Jake had rudely declined, but Jerry was known for tentativeness.
Jerry had a very strong urge to talk, that even Jake could not deter him. It only took one look into Jerry's eyes for Jake to know that.
So, what did Jake do? A dog starved would bite you.
While this matter was a small issue to Jake, he hadn't slept all day and he would like if he could have a small rest before they arrived at the Capital.
So, Jake compromised. He allowed Jerry to rant, while he slept.
How did he do it? It was a technique he had learned before his rebirth in his foster parent's kingdom. It was similar to multitasking. In that, Jake would have to put one foot in his dream world, and another foot in the Physical world. He called it the Nuisance eliminator technique.
”The worst part of all. The wars never had a victor. They all fought for nothing. Blah. Blah. Blah....” spouted Jerry.
”Hmmm.”
Jake could only register some of Jerry's words. He programmed himself to always respond after five minutes.
”There was once a time that…..blah.blah.blah” spat Jerry.
”Hmmm.”
...
In the same carriage, Gavin sat silent as the rest of the teenagers.
Occasionally, he glanced at Jerry with pity, but he glanced at Jake with more pity.
Jake had to split his mind just to protect his peace, while Jerry kept talking without knowing Jake wasn't listening. It was a sad tale of wickedness!
”Young master, should we tell him?” asked Andrew.
”No, I think we should let them be”
”But wouldn't that be too cruel?…,” a young man seated beside Gavin asked him.
”He literally talked for hours, only for the person to not be listening,” another teenager interjected, feeling pity for the young Jerry.
”Do you want to be the one to break the news to him?” questioned Gavin
”No.”
”Then that settles it”
....
”.....blah blah blah”
”Hmmm”
”It is rare for me to find someone interested in ancient history like me--”
Finally, Jerry shifted his sight to Jake. He could see Jake's head was bent low.
”--Wait, Jake, are you listening?”
He received no reply, ”Jake?”
”Jake?”
After five minutes, Jake replied, ”Hmmm.”
Jake opened his eyes. He had just dreamt of touching perfection, cuddling it in his arms, fondling its soft skin, 'Oh how delightful.'
Sadly, his euphoria was interrupted when Jerry shouted his name. Jake woke up with anger visible on his face.
'How dare he?' he thought with murderous vibes oozing out of him.
”Jake, were you sleeping?” asked Jerry with a pure face.
Looking at the face, Jake wondered if Jerry would scream if he was murdered.
'Cool down, Jake. No need to go all psycho here.' he soothed himself from his psycho tendencies.
Jake smiled, ”What? Oh, that. Of course. Of course. Of course. I find what you are saying very fascinating.”
”Then why were your eyes closed?”
”I was meditating,” Jake threw a smooth lie.