The Puppets of Delaware, Big Jimmy and the Knee Scrapes Options

[bat19]

Big Jimmy took the brush to make his final stroke, the last layer, years of work leading to this monumental moment. His fingers are steady, his breath controlled, there is no shake, there can be no accident...

They sit in the garage, 13 wooden figures; 8 white, 3 black, one red and one yellow with the slanted eyes. The air holds the stink of paint and lacquer finish. Tomorrow comes the strings and with them the first movement.

Big Jimmy takes his friends on the road, its an easy life for them. They allow him the illusion of control, he is a good creator. He talks with them, he cares for them, he mends their wounds like when Elvira had a sliver come off her perfectly carved form. She is the only imperfect one, making her the most important.

The time came for Big Jimmy to retire and his mood changed quickly. He never reached the grandeur he dreamed of, his creations failed him. He grabbed Jones, his first and the closest to his heart. With instant regret he flung his creation across the room, cracking his body on the corner-wall.

A cry arose from Big Jimmy's heart, this was ignored by the Knee Scrapes troup. They moved to their fallen comrade, held him up above their heads and cut his ropes. 13 became 12 who silently packed their belongings and left Big Jimmy alone to reflect on how great his life had been but would never be again now that he was at the mercy of the mysteries of the world.