The Fox and the Pigeon hole P2 Chapter 11

11. Tolerated Imperfection
“Now, I think we would all like to thank Corporal Thorne for funding and attending tonight” Says the scrawny, middle aged man on the stage. Jackson sits on a table with business representatives and Corporals from sixth and third acre. Watching as his father walks across the stage to take the stand, Jackson pulls at the tight collar of his grey tuxedo. The leather waistcoat and matching gloves are causing him to sweat and feel so uncomfortable that he might scream, but he can do nothing but still very still, with a straight back, high chin and an unconvincing smile. “Yes,” Continues his father on the stage, “I was particularly looking forward today, it marks something very important. But not in my life” He pauses dramatically and smiles, “Today was my sons first day in the working world, I think you will all join me in congratulating him throughout the night” Jackson is slow to react, he was not really listening and only recognises the use of his name when everyone in the large hall is turning curtly to see him. For a moment he just sits with a vacant expression and then quickly smiles around at the hundreds of eyes, peeking at him from the fifty or so tables around the room.

His Father coughs quickly “Yes, I am so proud of him.” He says looking down “Now I hope everyone has a pleasant evening and satisfying meal, Thank you” He nods and then walks off the stage. Jackson is sweating more than ever, he has obviously angered his father and will pay the price, although nobody seemed to have noticed the brief lapse in Jackson’s formality, his father will surely make it out to ruin his career. And sure enough his father comes striding over during the loud talk and laughter that fills the hall, coming up behind Jackson he puts a firm hand on his shoulder and says politely. “Jackson my boy, a word?” so that everyone at the table beams, Jackson’s father keeps a vice like grip on his shoulder as he gets up and is directed to a side door before being thrust inside. Breathing hard Jackson stays near the door as it closes and his father walks out in front of him, sitting behind a stone desk. “Jackson,” He says, not looking up and clearly trying to control his anger, “Yes, Father” He says, his voice breaking from nerves. The room is clearly sound proofed because Jackson’s father explodes, “How could you do this to me Jackson! One thing, just one tiny little thing I ask of you! And you openly embarrass me!” He breathes hard and walks out from the desk, coming to a stop right in front of Jackson, although quite a short man Jackson’s father is still a head higher than him and could not be more intimidating, “For god sake!, look at you, are you trying to bring the family name down?” He stares down into Jacksons gleaming eyes, “Well, answer me!”
“No, no” He coughs “Of course not father” his voice is barely audible,
“You are a mess! Stand up straight for god’s sake” Jackson immediately stands upright and holds his head high, before he can clasp his hands behind his back, Jackson’s father grabs his wrist and brings it painfully up to eye level. “You are an ungrateful swine; after all I have sacrificed for you!” He squeezes Jackson’s wrist so hard that he has to bite his lip from trying to cry out.

“Now,” He continues more calmly, but still red faced “You are going to go out there and make me proud, you will be polite and” He takes in a sharp breath, grabbing Jackson’s bow tie and pulling it neatly, almost completely closing his windpipe. “Do not disappoint me” He says leaning in menacingly and thrusting Jacksons hand away before striding out of the room and closing the door behind him. Jackson breathes hard and does not move an inch; he sighs and rubs his burning wrist. Taking a tissue from a metal box on the desk he dabs his eyes, walking to door he stops for a moment. Straightening his back, pulling up his gloves and forcing a smile before he opens the door and walks out into the hall.

*
“Unbelievable,” Katie gasps. Jackson is telling her about his father’s reaction while standing at the very edge of the seemingly endless buffet; the mingling businessmen are hustled close to them, hiding them from view and most importantly, Corporal Thorne. “I can’t take him anymore,” Jackson says, holding his face in his hands, “It’s like being in prison” He breathes furiously,
“Keep your voice down will you” Katie says quickly as a group of black suited men turns to look curiously at them, their surprised faces falter when Jackson and Katie smile hastily. How little it takes to please these people, Jackson thinks, turning back to Katie with a solemn expression. “At least you don’t have to live with see him that much anymore” Katie places a consoling hand on Jacksons shoulder, “Come on I’ll get you a drink” She says, walking away towards the long bar, her tall figure perfect in a wrap around, strapless blue dress. Her flowing auburn hair all falls over her shoulder, ending in luscious curls. “Jackson Thorne?” Says a deep voice behind him. Caught by surprise Jackson quickly turns to see a short stubby man with a thin piece of glass in his hands and a silver pen, he wears large square glasses and a brown suit with a ruffled black neck tie. “I do not mean to impose, but could I ask you a few questions?”, when Jackson raises his eyebrows in a confused expression the man explains “Oh, I’m writing for the Pitcairn times” He smiles, “Would you mind?” He gestures towards the red carpeted entrance hall which is completely devoid of people.

“Yes, of course Mr...” Jackson inquires politely, following him through the golden plated glass doors,
“Mr Barnsley,” Replies the man “Quill Barnsley”. Closing the door firmly behind him the man turns to face Jackson with a somewhat frightened demeanor, “Well,” He says “Let’s get started, I don’t want to keep you from the party too long” He grins fleetingly and touches the piece of glass lightly with his finger, It lights up dimly and he starts to scribble furiously on the electronic notepad. “Ok” He croaks no looking up, “Firstly, I noticed that your father mentioned you on the stage today, he referenced your new job. Do you have anything you would like to share about that, how was your first day? Exciting, Frightening?...” The constant barrage of questions overwhelms Jackson who responds carefully and with short phrases conscious of the shaky ground he is on with his father.

He concentrates on answering in a noble and respectable way “Of course, my father has always been a very respectable and supporting person” he forces out wearily, although lying through his teeth is tiring he lapses for a moment. He has just spotted Katie through the door; she is holding two white glasses and looking around innocently. A feeling of intense guilt fills his mind as he looks at her, but she turns around and spots him directly through the glass. Frowning, she walks over to the door and taps on it lightly.”Umm would you mind,” Jackson gestures through the glass at Katie, “Oh, yes of course, I have all I need anyway, thank you very much”
“That’s ok” replies Jackson before opening the door and leaning out to speak to Katie, “ I am so sorry,” He grimaces, “It’s just this man wanted to ask me questions and,”
“Jackson” She interrupts “Its fine, here” She passes him the large glass of wine and he steps out from behind the door to smile sheepishly back at her, “Have you seen my father?” He asks looking around; suddenly cautious “I don’t want to speak to him again, well ever” He says coldly still scanning the people around them, “No, I haven’t seen him” She says looking at Jackson with a troubled expression,
“What is it” He asks noticing her face,
“Nothing” she says, looking away quickly, “Are you feeling alright? You look very pale”
“Yes, I feel fine” replies Jackson curiously, but turning around to look at his reflection in the glass door, he notices that his skin is a sickly shade of white. “Maybe I am getting sick” Says Jackson, surprisingly noticing that his throat is very dry.

“Do you want to go home? You should rest” Implores Katie,
“No,” Says Jackson defiantly “My father would kill me” He throws a depressed face at Katie and coughs. “Are you sure? You look like you’re coming down with something,” Katie puts her drink down on a table that holds a vase full of white roses. She puts her hand to his forehead,”You have a temperature,” She says concernedly. All of a sudden Jackson sneezes violently into his hand, doubling over and almost dropping his drink. Several people turn with a chorus of “Bless you” and Katie thanks them on his behalf, but as he takes his hand away from his nose Katie stares. Looking down Jackson sees that his leather gloves is stained with blood, Katie pushes his hand back up to his nose and directs him back through the door into the entrance hall, even she knows that it is not becoming to be bleeding at a social event. “Jackson” She breaths, digging in her handbag for a tissue, “What’s wrong?” Before Jackson can answer he grabs the tissue violently out of her hand and sneezes again, blood dripping from his face.

Pushing him backwards and out of sight she wipes his face with another tissue, “I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” Jackson breathes heavily. Katie sighs looking around, “Ok that’s it I’m taking you home” She directs him towards the door at the end of the entrance hall and pushes him lightly out into the cool night air, before rushing over to a the doorman, who is wearing a black officers uniform and a tilted beret. “Excuse me I need travel for two to” She hesitates but Jackson is in a fit enough state to talk now, “Thorne residence Clarendon road, fourth acre”,
“Of course ma’am” Replies the officer before typing in the request on a handheld screen like the one the journalist had.