The Cardboard Box Adventures - Part 3 (1322 hits)
Category: GeneralLabels: CardBoard_Box_Adventures
Rating: 2 on 36 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by <brdn_nkd.at.yahoo.com> (View user info) at 2005-12-16 14:35:20 EST
Part 2 - http://www.ubersite.com/m/81033
I've been caught by the Bangers, that's what they call themselves. When they told me I was being arrested I ran. A few of them grabbed me but they're so small I just ignored them and kept running until I felt a sting on the back of my neck. I woke up aching all over and folded into a cell that was obviously built to hold someone much smaller than myself. It's very small and cramped. I'm still not entirely sure what I've done to enrage them and all they'll tell me is that I should not have talked to the Big Man.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ben and I have been coming to "the other place" for a little more than a month. I come to observe and learn, honestly who else can say they've seen an entirely foreign world? I've considered telling others about it but I don't believe there's anyone who would listen, mainly because the first thing they'll ask is how I get there. I'm pretty sure anyone in a position of authority is going to lose some confidence in my story as soon as I tell them that we go there from our refrigerator box.
The first time Ben showed me the other place I was astonished to say the least. A whole different world, with different flora, fauna, and animal life, spongy ground, a purple sky, and populated by strange people. Sometimes when I look around at the scenery I think this is a world designed by a child. The plants and animals look like some of the things Ben has drawn, come to life. I have never seen any sign of a sun or moon while in the other place and the change between night and day is incredibly sudden. All day long there is a very even, gentle light, I've never seen it brighter on one day than another. When night comes it's as though someone's flipping a switch, the sky goes from the plum purple color to a dark orange, yes orange. I still haven't been able to figure out how orange can be darker than purple but it is there, maybe their light spectrum is different than ours. The spongy ground is very much like a trampoline, walking normally on it feels strange but you can bounce all over the place with just a little effort.
The people call themselves the Bangers. I have yet to hear how they come by that name or if it has any significance. I've spent a lot of time watching them. They're always excited to see Ben, me they seem to just tolerate because of Ben. Their faces are strange. Pickle told Ben they were wearing masks but I've never seen anyone who's face didn't look like some sort of African tribal mask. I've also never seen evidence that they are masks, no straps, no peek of skin, nothing at all to indicate that there is a different face behind the one I see. They are all small, most of them are very similar in size to Ben.
The Banger's live in a small city, maybe six thousand altogether. The buildings, like everything else I've seen here resembled a child's rendering of houses and businesses. The streets too, look as though they were drawn in.
Watching the Banger's all this time I've found that their lives revolve around the games they play. Many of these games are part of contests, everyone in the village watches during the contests. In the center of the city is a large arena that is used for the largest contests and especially when someone comes from another city to compete. When someone comes from another town for a game it is always a big deal. These contests are followed by a feast when won by a local, when the visitor wins the local goes with the visitor. Your stature in the village determines when you get your turn to eat. I am below the lowest of the low here and have yet to get to the table and find food on it still.
Not once during this time have I been invited to participate but Ben is often included in the games. Often, spectators place bets and sometimes if a contest is disputed fights erupt plunging all involved in a loud brawl that becomes a contest in and of itself.
It was during one of these fights that I made the Bangers mad for the first time. I saw one of the players in a poker game cheat and I called him out. The whole room erupted into a cacophonous melee. They weren't upset about the cheating though, they were upset that I had interfered. I thought for sure they were going to try to hurt me. Thankfully I tower over them and they were afraid to get into a fight with me. Eventually I was forced to leave and asked not to return to that particular game house.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
The night that I asked Ben to show me where he was going in his box I still expected to find out he was making it all up. I sat down in the box with him and looked around.
"Can you see it dad?"
"See what Ben?"
"The door, it's right there."
Ben pointed just to the left of where he was seated. I looked where he was pointed and was not surprised that all I saw was cardboard.
"Ben I don't see a door or anything other than the side of the box. Is this all a game?"
"Dad no, it's right there, there are clouds in the sky and Pickle's waiting on the other side."
I sat there looking at my son thinking that maybe he needed some help when out of nowhere I heard a voice I'd never heard before.
"Ben you really shouldn't bring bigs here. They don't belong."
"Ben?"
"Dad, it's Pickle, I told you he was waiting. Pickle, why can't dad see the door?"
"I don't want to tell you, you really shouldn't bring bigs here."
"If you don't tell me I won't come to play anymore. He's my dad and he wants to come."
"Fine. Grab his hand."
Ben took my hand in his, I looked again where Ben said the door was and was floored. It was there, right where he said it would be. I was looking into another world. I dropped Ben's hand, as soon as my hand left his the door disappeared. I took his hand again and there it was.
"So how do we go there Ben?"
"Don't, it's a really bad idea, bigs should not be here Ben!"
"Shut up Pickle. Dad, we just go, like this."
I never felt myself move but when I looked up we were standing on the hill right next to Pickle.
User Reviews
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-04-12 02:09:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I hate CS Lewis.
I like this.
Submitted by Crystle (user info) at 2006-03-15 19:13:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2006-01-22 10:49:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
An orange night sky would kick ass.
I'm enjoying this series. I only wish I could picture Ben as someone other than Haley Joel Osment.
Submitted by Ditka (user info) at 2006-01-07 23:49:32 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
auto Cardboard +2
Submitted by joedaddy (user info) at 2005-12-27 14:42:01 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
back on track and in formation
Submitted by Pentameter (user info) at 2005-12-20 18:16:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Phinch (user info) at 2005-12-20 15:17:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by jack11058 (user info) at 2005-12-19 14:28:15 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
picking up steam
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2005-12-19 12:58:01 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Nellypaal (user info) at 2005-12-19 07:02:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Back to form. Becoming interesting.
Forgive inability to compose sentences. Monday morning.
Submitted by morontian (user info) at 2005-12-18 11:46:11 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
...Shouldn't have talked to the Big Man. Hmmm... I wonder if there's been enough info to figure out why that would be bad for YOU to do, or if I would just be spinning my wheels thinking about it.
This is good stuff. I don't know why I never really checked you out before. I am going to remedy that right now.
Submitted by Brdn_Nkd (user info) at 2005-12-17 11:46:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by thorpe (user info) at 2005-12-17 07:41:44 (#)
Ranking: 2
Good stuff.
Are you deciding these developments as you go along or have you got a big plot in mind already?
I've written each post seperately on the day I posted them. I have a vague idea where I'm going but until i sit down and start writing I don't really know what's going to happen.
Submitted by Siren (user info) at 2005-12-17 08:41:39 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by thorpe (user info) at 2005-12-17 07:41:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Good stuff.
Are you deciding these developments as you go along or have you got a big plot in mind already?
Submitted by Kirbage (user info) at 2005-12-17 06:54:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Ben is getting a little too brave. I really want to go to the other side :/
You're really top notch.
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2005-12-17 04:58:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Keep 'em coming.
-Dave
Submitted by Walker (user info) at 2005-12-16 21:04:43 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Wow! Can't wait to read the next one! I don't mean to remove any value from the work, but I picture this as on of those children's books with a picture on each page and a paragraph of text. Although being a children-style story, I enjoy your take on showing the two perspective's; the whole fact that there AREN'T any pictures leaves it all to the imagination.
Submitted by AlexorGM (user info) at 2005-12-16 20:04:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
wow. two posts in one day please? I WANT MORE.
Submitted by coocoocachoo (user info) at 2005-12-16 16:21:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Once again +2 for "Pickle".
Now off to read post.
Submitted by Susie_Derkins (user info) at 2005-12-16 16:12:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This series is great, keep em coming!
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-12-16 15:59:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by firefly (user info) at 2005-12-16 15:59:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2005-12-16 15:56:07 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
hurry up with 4 man!!!!
Submitted by U927 (user info) at 2005-12-16 15:48:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I am in awe. This story leaves me wanting more.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2005-12-16 15:47:18 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
don't write children's stories, i think you'd make kids cry. this is great though.
Submitted by Professional_Peon (user info) at 2005-12-16 15:35:21 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2005-12-16 14:40:46 (#)
Ranking: 2
I know a girl named Pickle. Supposedly, one time in junior high...nevermind.
----------------
I've called my son Pickle for years, but now I feel dirty.
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2005-12-16 15:26:19 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Another winner.
Submitted by LadyPlural (user info) at 2005-12-16 15:18:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Coyote: Fear not, Homer. I am your spirit guide.
Homer: Hiya.
Coyote: There is a lesson you must learn.
Homer: If it's about laying off the insanity peppers, I'm way ahead
of ya.
El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Homer
Sweeeeeet.
Submitted by Brdn_Nkd (user info) at 2005-12-16 15:16:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by ghola (user info) at 2005-12-16 15:09:08 (#)
Ranking: 2
Have you read the storis C.S. Lewis wrote about Malacandria or Perelandria (sp?) ?
This sort of reminds me of them. If you haven't read them, I think you should as they were quite enjoyable.
I have read them and I take that as a compliment. thanks for reading all.
Submitted by ghola (user info) at 2005-12-16 15:09:08 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Have you read the storis C.S. Lewis wrote about Malacandria or Perelandria (sp?) ?
This sort of reminds me of them. If you haven't read them, I think you should as they were quite enjoyable.
Submitted by the_thorne (user info) at 2005-12-16 14:59:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Wonderful.
Submitted by The_Yellow_Dart (user info) at 2005-12-16 14:53:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
He's a Pickle Banger. A cucumber that got used too much.
Submitted by MistressFist (user info) at 2005-12-16 14:51:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by stuckfix (user info) at 2005-12-16 14:49:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Good work again, my friend. Can't wait to read the next installment.
Submitted by Brdn_Nkd (user info) at 2005-12-16 14:45:19 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2005-12-16 14:40:46 (#)
Ranking: 2
I know a girl named Pickle. Supposedly, one time in junior high...nevermind.
hahaha. When I named him Pickle I wasn't really thinking of the possible repurcussions of doing so. I am going to have to make a joke of it at some point just because there have been some entertaining comments.
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2005-12-16 14:40:46 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I know a girl named Pickle. Supposedly, one time in junior high...nevermind.