Welcome to WOLF NOTES, where interview questions stray from the rest of the pack. It’s nice to know the usual stuff like where an author gets their inspiration and why they write, but sometimes we need a little fun in our lives.
Wolf: In honor of Independence Day, I’ve invited Marty the Merchant and Gareth Jenkins to Wolf notes. Both are characters in STAR TOUCHED. Tell us a little about yourselves.
Marty: Not much to tell. After the Cataclysm wiped out most of the population and the country fell apart, I became a traveling salesman. I’m not into the mercenary thing like some former army folks.
Gareth: I’d already left the army by then to open a bar in my home town. Things were rough for a while, but business has since expanded to include a store and rooms to rent.
Wolf: You both seem to have adapted well. There is quite an age difference between the two of you, fifteen years. Did you meet in the army?”
Marty: Yeah. I was a bit of a trouble maker. Gareth helped straiten me out and refocus into more useful activities.”
Gareth: Marty is being too polite. He was a prank pulling pain in the butt. Even so, he always managed to do what needed to be done without complaint. A slacker he’s not.
Marty: I’m glad someone saw more than trouble. Gareth recommended me for special forces. It was a turning point. Turns out my sneaking around skill had a bonified use.
Gareth: We’ve helped each other through the years. Marty pulled me out of a rabbit hole after my wife, Margaret died. Don’t know what I would have done without him.
Wolf: Sounds like you make a good team. The Cataclysm tore a lot of people apart, yet you’ve managed to stay connected. How’d you manage. I mean there are no phones or computers and the roads are a mess.
Gareth: Marty knew where I was.
Marty: Being a traveling salesman lets me roam the country side. One of the first places I went to was Atherton. Needed to look up my buddy.
Wolf: About that roaming, what is it you do?
Marty: I’m just a merchant.
Wolf: Right, sure you are. There are a lot of things that people have had to do without since the cataclysm. What do you miss the most?
Gareth: Tuna. I love canned tuna but after eight years in a can, even I don’t want it.
Marty: Yuck. Canned tuna and noodles is what my mom cooked all the time. Sometimes she’d mix in canned peas or green beans for variety. I’ve had enough of that stuff for a lifetime. I miss coffee. Anytime I find a stash it’s like I hit the jackpot.
Gareth: There used to be a coffee place on almost every corner, even Atherton had at least two. That’s saying something for a small town. Now all we have are a few old stale beans. Tea just isn’t the same.
Wolf: At least you have those. If you could reestablish the USA, would you?
Gareth: Absolutely, but I’d get rid of the electoral college thing. Everyone’s vote should count. And there should be limits on how much money can be spent trying to get elected.
Marty: Term limits, definitely term limits. A government for the people by the people has no room for professional politicians. Elected officials should do their duty, then go back to their daily lives.
Gareth: Don’t forget about education and health care. We need to see to our future leaders and care for all citizens
Wolf: That’s a lot of changes. It’s going to be hard to do when so many are struggling to survive.
Gareth: Never said it would be easy. Maybe the star-touched could help with some of the health issues. Put their healing abilities to good use.
Wolf: Switching gears slightly, try to complete this sentence. You’re walking through the woods and come across….
Gareth: A quiet lake teaming with fish and a small boat. I’d row out to the perfect spot, toss a line in and wait for a bite. Pure bliss with no worries.
Marty: Sort of like that fishing trip we took after you left the military.
Gareth: You mean the one where you said you were going to sleep late, then swam out and put a dummy on my hook? Absolutely not.
Marty: The look on your face when you reeled that thing in was priceless.
Gareth: You almost gave me a heart attack!
Wolf: I’m with Gareth. You have a warped sense of humor.
Marty: I’m not that bad.
Wolf: Really? How would you finish that sentence?
Marty: Can’t answer. This is a G-rated blog.
Wolf: On that note, pick up a copy of STAR TOUCHED and have a happy and safe 4th of July. If you see any military or former military personnel, don’t forget to thank them for their service.
