Spock Ascends
Ch_005_000: Spock Ascends
Weatherwax combed Spock’s long blonde and white hair. The man did not care for her real name and preferred her title, Brother Day. Her hair, throughout her life, was naturally perfect. It was as if Weatherwax’s eternal combing had now altered the Lassie genetic code for hirsute perfection.
Brother Day’s father, Lassie Junior, was nearby. He had suffered from cancer but recovered. That said, he just did not have the stamina for performances like his first season’s classic “birth” episode. He did not want to sully his legacy and left his status as Day a bit earlier than expected. Even so, Lassie Junior’s hair was still glorious.
Brother Day asked Weatherwax to move on to her father and the dog obliged immediately. Brother Dusk sighed as the brush moved through his full mane.
Brother Dawn, a savvy little man named Baby, sat to the other side of Day. The three were here for the annual pre-season review as well as first season for Day. Transitions were always tricky but as long as Lassie remained Lassie, people seemed to allow for the rest to change. As expected, if Lassie qua Lassie makes Lassie Lassie, then Lassie must be eternally Lassie.
Day asked Weatherwax how her season would begin. The dog coolly barked, “Lassie will resist change. Her family will purchase an electric refrigerator. Lassie will insist that her meals originate from the icebox of her puppyhood. She will teach us all about the benefits of keeping things simple. A woman will teach dogs that newer is not always better.”
Day said, “I was worried about this story. I wasn’t sure why Lassie would care, as I certainly do not care if my lunch comes from either an icebox or a refrigerator as long as my lunch comes on time. Thank you for the direction, as always, Weatherwax. The wisdom of Lassie originates in Weatherwaxism.”
Weatherwax offered, “Lassie discovers a lone dog with a gruff manpet falsely accused of kidnapping a nearby family’s puppy. Little does everyone know, but the puppy did what puppies do and it fell off a path. The lone dog is an expert rock climber, which is a very typical skill of loners, and the lone dog climbs down to bring the missing puppy to safety. Lassie stands in judgment of those who would judge others unjustly. Her hairful wisdom will be appreciated by all by the end.”
Brother Day seemed to prefer this to the icebox versus refrigerator story.
Brother Dawn offered meekly, “You know, if you guys need someone to just fill in for Day, just for an episode to, just - you know - give a guy a breather, well, I am ready and have been reading all the scripts.”
Day looked shocked and said, “I haven’t even produced a single episode and you think I want a break? Are you kidding? This is a job I will hold for years and years from now. So, go ahead and practice, but you’re in for a wait, Baby.”
Brother Dawn looked savagely at Day when he said, “Who knows what could happen, Day? Everyone can change. Sometimes just in time, no?” The young man walked out of the meeting.
Weatherwax continued, but Brother Dusk kept his attention on what Dawn might have meant. He wrote something down to pursue later and listened as his master spoke about the future of Lassie.