Everything Zen

try to see it once my way
everything zen
everything zen
i don\'t think so

“Everything Zen”—Bush

Everything Zen

“ ‘Dear James Fauntleroy II,’ ” Jamie Fauntleroy read from the paper in his hand. “ ‘I’m sorry, but we’ve decided to go another way. Thank you for your interest in the Silph Co.’ ” Jamie sighed and crumpled the paper into a ball. He deposited it in a trash can that was dangerously close to overflowing. “Fourth one this week,” he muttered bitterly. He’d been clamoring to get a job, any job, anywhere, doing anything, but no one seemed to want to hire him. Next month’s rent was due in two days and he’d been out of a job for a few weeks now. His landlord made it perfectly clear that if Jamie didn’t have the money in two days, he’d be evicted. Unfortunately, his name preceded him wherever he went. The Fauntleroys were famous for having great wealth, but his father and namesake, James Sr., was a member of the dubious Team Rocket for years before he was born. It didn’t mean a thing to Jamie, or anyone else, for that matter, that those days were over, and that James and his wife Jessie, Jamie’s mother, had the wealth that was common to Fauntleroys. It compacted matters that Jessie was also a member of Team Rocket. It ruined Jamie’s friendships, his education, his life. Everyone who knew his name shunned him. All except Rosy Ketcham, he was sure. A friend of his from the Pokémon Technical Institute, they were on the horizon of something more before he found out the truth. She liked him despite the rumors. She denied the cruel words the students had for him. One student tormented him especially cruelly, and caused him to fly into a blind rage. He pummeled the boy bloody and was subsequently expelled. Jamie’s parents came to take him home, but when he confronted them with what he’d heard, they couldn’t tell him otherwise. He was beside himself. He chose to run away. He got up and ran that day, just ran into the city near the school grounds. He’d holed out a decrepit existence in Cerulean City, the city near the Tech. He looked older than his true age, sixteen, which helped him get a small apartment and a job. Soon, his boss caught wind of his past and fired him. The moments after his meltdown played again in his head. It was as vivid that day as they were when they happened three years ago. He kept seeing Rosy chase after him, although he never looked back to see if she really had or not. He liked to think she did.

He thought of her daily now. If he was enchanted by her cute ponytails and dark eyes when they were kids, he imagined if he set eyes on her now, she’d be a knockout. He remembered her remarkable Pokémon prowess then. She must be unbeatable by now, he thought. He sighed. He longed to see her again, but how? They lived in different worlds now. He strode out of the apartment to find work somewhere.

He woke up two days later, still unemployed and penniless. He tried to get out of the apartment and find a job, to save him from his own bad luck, but to no avail. When he returned to his flat at the end of the day, the locks were changed and there was an eviction notice taped to the door. His things were piled by the door. He angrily kicked the door. He was at a loss. What option did he have? The only one was to run, just like he’d been doing the past three years. He gathered the few things he really cared about and left, looking at the ground.

The next few days he drifted from city to city, trying to find work. Everywhere he went he was turned down. He eventually stumbled into Olivine City, a port town in Johto. Famous for its fisheries, it was a hotbed for all things aquatic. Jamie spied a small building on stick-legs near the water. “Connor’s Fish”, a sign on the facade announced. He decided to give this one a go. He pushed the door open, and bells jingled. An old man behind the counter looked at Jamie. “What can I do fer ya, sonny,” he asked.

“I was wondering if you were hiring, sir,” Jamie replied.

The man examined Jamie. “Have you ever fished before, kid?”

“No sir.”

“Harvested oysters?”

“No.”

“Then, why should I hire you,” he asked matter-of-factly.

“I can learn to do all those things, and more, sir,” Jamie said. “And quickly.” He would say anything to get a job. He had a feeling the man was leaning towards hiring him, but needed a little push.

The man scratched his beard. “I like your attitude, son,” he said. “I’ll give you a shot.”

Jamie couldn’t contain his relief. “Thank you, sir, thank you very much,” he said, shaking his hand vigorously.

“Whoa there, champ,” the old man said. “Save some of that strength for the fish. They’re ornery. Come here with me, I’ll show you around.” He showed Jamie the port, dock, small harbor which held a few rowboats and one large boat. “That there’s for swordfish,” he explained. “That boat will be yours, as soon as you learn the sea out here. We need a strong, tough youngin’ to fish for ’em.” He explained the equipment, from harpoons to fishing nets to bait and tackle. At the end of the tour, he said, “Here’s you a place to lay yer head at the end of the day,” ushering Jamie into a small room. It was dark, and no bigger than a closet. He looked at the old man, who was smiling mysteriously. “How did you--” he asked.

“I’ve been around a little longer than you have, tiger,” he said, walking away. “Let’s just say I could tell.”

Despite the tiny, dim room, Jamie felt buoyed by his turn of good fortune. He set up his few belongings, keeping a framed picture of Rosy by his cot. He went to sleep that night feeling better than he had in a while. The next day’s work was an enigma to him, but he had a place to stay and a source of income, and that was all he needed to drive away any doubts or fears. He turned over uncomfortably in the small cot and fell asleep.

Connor had him up with the chickens the next morning. He gave Jamie simple chores around the shop for the first days of his employment, training him to fish and perform other such tasks as well. They worked from sunrise to sunset, every day. The pay was piddling, but he didn’t have to worry about rent or food, so he didn’t mind. Within weeks, Jamie was doing everything Connor did, and more. Connor was glad to have a new swordboat captain, and Jamie did seem to enjoy it. He saw it as a test of his power and skill. The swordfish were powerful, strong fish that always put up a good fight when caught. Jamie rose to the challenge, and quickly made Connor’s Fish and Olivine City famous for the best swordfish. One day, after being out on the sea for a few weeks during swordfish season, he came back in to lighten the load. It had been off and on raining on the ocean, so he was soaked to the bone. He expertly guided the boat into the harbor. He and his crew started heaving the caught fish onto the harbor when he looked up suddenly. It was Saturday, which meant the boardwalk near Connor’s Fish was hopping with people and activity; it was the weekend fish market. It had grown in popularity since Jamie became Connor’s swordboat captain. A pair of women caught his eye. One, a redhead, who looked about forty, contemplated clams at a nearby stand. Next to her stood a lovely young dark-haired woman. She wore a long, flowing white dress and had her wavy hair loose. The sea breeze ruffled her skirts and lifted her hair slightly. She turned slightly, and Jamie saw her face. “Rosy,” he said aloud. It was she, Rosy, his friend, his crush... here she was, on the harbor, for him to see again! Rosy caught him looking at her. She smiled shyly and started to walk away with the red-haired woman. She stopped and went to the dock to see if her eyes were lying to her, or if it really was... “Jamie,” she exclaimed. “Jamie, it’s you! Wow, I almost didn’t recognize you.”

He still had his red hair and deep green eyes, but the hard labor ane see sea had changed him. Instead of the pale, skinny boy he was when they last saw each other, he was now taller, more filled out. The sun kissed his skin and bronzed him. His daily fights with the swordfish yielded wide shoulders and muscular arms. He now looked closer to nineteen or twenty. Even he couldn’t believe what a little hard work had done. Rosy couldn’t tear her eyes away from the handsome young man before her. Jamie’s gaze rested on her beauty just as long as hers did on him. “So, it’s been a e,” e,” he said quietly.

“It has been,” she agreed. “I wish you hadn’t run away. I wish you would have stayed at the Tech. Dallas is just a big jerk, you know that. He lies for the hell of it. And to hurt people.”

Jamie looked away. “That may be, but he wasn’t that time,” he mumbled.

“What?”

“Nothing,” Jamie said.

“So, what are you doing here in Olivine,” she asked. “I mean, besides fishing?”

“I got a job here at Connor’s,” he said. “I’m his swordboat captain.”

“Cool. It is hard?”

“It was at first, but it’s fun now,” he said. Connor stepped out onto the dock to count the catch. “Sorry, Rosy, but I’ve got to go. I’ve got a lot to do.”

“Yea,” she said reluctantly. “I guess I’ll see you, then.”

“Yea.” Jamie stood forlornly in his boat. He lost her once, and now he stood to lose her again. Who knew when she was going to come back to Olivine, even if she knew that he worked there now. Desperation made him call after her. “Wait! Rosy, please, have dinner with me tonight.”

“Tonight?” She raised her eyebrows. “I have to ask my mom, and my daddy. He’s very picky about whom I date. I know,” she said, suddenly. She called the redhead to the dock. “You remember my mom. Jamie, Mom, Mom, Jamie.” Misty smiled at Jamie. “Okay, Mom, can we have Jamie over for dinner tonight? He can help us choose good fish. He caught them all. He knows which ones are the best,” she added.

“That sounds fine,” Misty said pleasantly. “We have to get a move-on, now, honey. Is Jamie coming with us now?” Rosy looked at Jamie questioningly. Jamie knew he didn’t look presentable. He’d been on the ocean for weeks, doused in the sea saltwater, heavy rains and his own sweat. His hair clung to his head as if it were glued on. His skin started to feel clammy in his yellow rubber high-water pants. He had grown a full beard while out on the ocean. “Um, how about you go on ahead, I’ll freshen up and make it there in time for dinner.”

“We don’t live in New Bark Town anymore,” Rosy explained. “We live in Cerulean, at the gym. It’s in the very center of toIt’sIt’s easy to spot. If you get lost and need help, here.” She pulled a pen and pad of paper out of her purse and wrote her phone number down for him. “Call us. See you later!” They waved good-bye.

Jamie took great pains to clean himself up that afternoon. He spent nearly an hour in the shower, and took a razor to his wild facial hair. He put on his one good outfit in an effort to look good. He told Connor hs gos going out for the evening and set out to Cerulean.