The Punishment of Joe Grundstrom - Part 4b
I laughed as Joe staggered to his feet.
"Why have I never done that before? Oh, yeah. But that was fun!"
Joe looked at the audience. "So what now? He pointed to Sarah.
"You do not appear to have tortured me yet . What are you going to do to me?"
Sarah stood up. "Orikes, Jamie, Lauri, want to join me whilst I explain a bit about what more will happen to Joe?" They stood.
"What we want won't happen to you here, but rather back in Regalton, or Simmingtonbury rather.
"You see Joe," I explained, "you won't remember any of this. Oh you may flinch if you see Lea in the street, and the thought of Vicky may fill you with fear for a while, but you won't remember the specifics. In fact only us simselves will remember today."
"So we want you to have a more permanent punishment." Said Orikes.
"One you will live with everyday for the rest of your life." Added Jamie with a smile.
"And we're not going to tell you what it is," finished Lauri, "because that will spoil the surprise."
This was too much for Joe to hear and once again he started shouting.
"You think that it was all my fault do you not? Well it was not. She would not leave me alone, and if you are talking about that night...well it takes two to tango, and she was not exactly unforthcoming. In fact to use a modern colloquialism, she was gagging for it!"
The arena gasped. I was about to unleash another lightning bolt on Joe when I saw Eddie vault the barrier onto the arena floor. I sat back down as assorted family members raced towards Joe. The family could handle him this time.
"You lousy, stinking weasel." Hissed Eddie poking Joe. "You took advantage of my sister you bastard. She is the innocent one in this, you are not and you deserve everything you have received today.
"Like you would be any different if a good looking young woman turned up on your doorstep one night..." Started Joe.
Eddie thought about how he had told his naked wife to get out of the spa pool on their honeymoon.
"I am different!" He said and swung a punch at Joe.
Eddie dusted himself off. He hadn't been in a full blown scrap like that since he was a teen, but he was vaguely pleased that he hadn't lost any of his form.
"Nicely done old chap." Said Theo grinning.
"Thank you."
Eddie was still steaming and looked like he was about to take another swing at Joe when his father put a hand on his shoulder.
"Eddie, please, I would like to speak to Mr Grundstrom."
Edward obediently stepped aside.
"Mr Grundstorm," said William, "you are lucky that I am not a naturally violent man, although if I had come across you the morning after you abandoned my daughter then I would have given you a sound thrashing.
I will say that I agree with everything my son has said, and that I am still a well-respected businessman. I understand that you now run the export business your father started?"
Joe nodded his mouth dry.
William smiled slowly. "Then I hope you have a good head for business Mr Grundstrom, you are going to need it." He turned and walked away.
Joe stood watching William until Timothy stood in front of him. "I do not know my cousin Alexandra very well, but she did not deserve to be treated as she was."
Joe was about to utter a rebuttal when Timothy caught his jaw with a well placed right hook.
In the audience Lauri smiled and turned to the lady sitting next to her. "I rather like seeing the bespectacled Timothy taking a swing at someone."
"Yes Timothy's a good boy. Unlike his father." Agreed Hannah.
Joe had barely the chance to stand up before he was confronted by Archie. "What?" He asked. "You again? Was not once enough?"
"No." Said Archie. "It wasn't."
"That's my Little Bastard." Smiled Doc.
Archie gave a satisfied smile as he brushed off his hands after beating Joe for the second time.
"Damn this is a fun place." He muttered.
Joe stumbled as he tried to get to his feet. He finally managed it and as he straightened up he saw Stanley standing there.
"Everyone else is getting the chance to hit you, I want my turn." He growled.
This time Joe didn't even put up much of a fight as Stanley pummelled him.
"GO ON MY SON!" shouted Robert as he watched his son land punch after punch on his victim.
"Must you encourage him so dear?" Asked Cecilia.
"Yes." Answered Robert simply.
Joe finally got to his feet after Stanley had finished only to find himself face to face with Alexandra.
"Joe."
"Alexandra."
"I thought I loved you." She said. "I would have done anything you asked. I did do anything you asked and in return you caused me more pain than I thought it was possible to feel.
I hate you Joe Grundstrom, and yet I cannot regret that I met you. Without you I might never have met Anthony, my one true love, and I would certainly not have my two eldest children."
Joe stood dumbfounded for a moment whilst the meaning of Alexandra's words sunk in.
"I am a father?"
"No." Came a voice from the stands as Bethany Smith stood up. "You are not a father, and you are certainly not our father. Anthony Smith is."
"All you are," added Christopher, "is the man who impregnated our mother. All we are is down to Alexandra and Anthony Smith, not you."
Anthony smiled as he looked at his daughter and son, his heart bursting with love for them. He had been certain that the two adults sitting on the opposite side of the arena were his children, and now hearing them speak he had never felt so proud of them. He was sure his wife felt the same.
Looking at Joe's face I could see how much these words had hurt Joe and I smiled. Physical pain was good, but so was emotional pain.
Anthony moved forward slightly and whispered in Alexandra's ear.
"My husband would like a word with you." She said moving aside.
"Really? And what do you have to say Anthony?"
The arena erupted as Anthony's fist connected with Joe's jaw. Everyone sitting there could watch that happen again and again.
"That is all." Said Anthony.
"Yes that is all." I said. "I think that it is time for you to go home now Joe."
With a flash of light, he was gone.
"Is that it?" Asked Jessica. "It just seems a bit anti-climatic."
"Well...I suppose we could have a party."
"A party?"
"Yes, I mean there are more people here than I've gathered in one place before. Doc and Theo are having withdrawal symptoms from each other, Gin is trying to clamber over the barrier so she can climb onto Spider's lap and I'm fed up with just looking at that sexy beast over there." I nodded at Indy. "I think it's time we mingled." So we did, and everyone agreed that the day had been well worth it.
