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Oasis

A desert conversation

By Mark Smith

April 10^th, 2025

[A car rolls up a dirt driveway in the high desert.]

[A man comes down the front steps and waves.] Hey, Zack!

[Zack] Duncan! It's great to see you!

[The two embrace.]

[Duncan smiles.] You smell like an old Chevy!

[Zack] That's because my old Chevy smells like me.

[Duncan] That IS a vicious cycle.

[Zack] Well, something like that. Hey, sorry about being so out of touch - there was zero connectivity backpacking in Glacier. I got here as fast as I could. How're you holding up - you OK?

[Duncan] Still kind of in shock, really. But the wake is tomorrow - I think that'll be good for me. I need some perspective. And some laughs.

[Zack] Same here.

[Duncan] You know, your texts have been pretty cryptic over the past few months. I wasn't really sure if...

[Zack] ...if I'd become a Shaolin monk? Or a meth addict?

[Duncan] Among other things. [He peers into Zack's car.] Looks like you packed for a short stay.

[Zack] Oh - yeah. Maybe we can talk about that later.

[Duncan] C'mon inside.

[Duncan] I thought you might be tired of sitting, after that long drive. Feel like a walk?

[Zack] Sounds good, but my friends took all my hiking gear back with them to San Francisco. I've only got flip-flops.

[Duncan] I figured. Here - I just happen to know your shoe size. There's socks inside them. [He picks up a backpack.] And I've got waters. Let's roll.

[They head off into the open desert.]

[Zack] Always amazes me how seriously trippy the desert is.

[Duncan] For sure. It IS different.

[Zack] That's one way to describe it. To be honest, I was glad to have a break from it. A loooooong break.

[Duncan] I think of the desert as "strangely beautiful." And I can't imagine being anywhere else. Even now. Maybe ESPECIALLY now.

[Zack] On the drive from Montana I was thinking, this past year was so different for each of us. I'm not even sure we’re still…

[Duncan] ...twins?

[Zack] But we must be - I mean, we're still finishing each other's sentences.

[Duncan] Like you never left. Hey, I like the beard! But now you look older than me.

[Zack] Wiser, too.

[Duncan] Maybe STREET-wiser.

[Zack] For sure street-wiser. Since I left, I met a lot of people, did a lot of things. New things. It was truly an education.

[Duncan] You were staying with Jenny, right?

[Zack] At first. It was fun! But after a few weeks, it just wasn't working for either of us. So I started looking for... alternative lodging.

[Duncan] Did you have to live on the street?

[Zack] I literally lived ON the street - in my car. But just for a few nights. Then with Rich and Brian - you remember them, they worked with me out here, at the junior college. And, I stayed with a few strangers along the way.

[Duncan] Female strangers?

[Zack] A gentleman doesn't talk about such things. So: what did you want to know?

[Duncan] You can fill me in over beers. Hey, I'm surprised about you and Jenny. It was HER idea for you to come visit, right?

[Zack] Yeah, I was surprised, too. Maybe she got us mixed up and thought she invited you.

[Duncan] That, I doubt.

[Zack] But anyway, it wasn't the worse thing that happened.

[Duncan] Uh, that being...

[Zack] I had to wait tables at a Denny's for a couple weeks, to build up some cash. Hey, they say any experience is good experience.

[Duncan] That's what they say. As for me, I've gotten tons of experience in things I never wanted to learn.

[They continue along, making their way past large boulders and cacti.]

[Zack ] I knew Pop's health had been pretty dicey. But holy crap, when I got back into cell range and went through your texts and voice mails...I couldn't believe what had happened! It must've been really tough, those last few days.

[Duncan] Yeah, it was. You're right, his health had been slowly declining. But like I texted you, his heart attack was sudden, and really bad. Middle of the night. I got him to the ER but they couldn't save him. That was the 10th, and he was cremated two days ago. It's what he wanted.

[Zack] And the wake tomorrow...

[Duncan] Yeah, it's all set. Uncle Gene and Aunt Carla are coming of course, and lots of local friends. They'll be glad to see you, Zack!

[Zack] Likewise. But for sure, they'll all have the same question: "Where the hell have you been?" Maybe I should hand out a flyer, so I don't have to repeat it over and over.

[Duncan] They'll be curious, but don't sweat it. Pop and I were good with you being away. That's what counts.

[Zack] What did he have to say about me? I mean, when he was lucid?

[Duncan] When you didn't come back from San Francisco after two weeks - that was the plan, right? - he said, "Well, he must be having fun."

[Zack] Well, that is most certainly true.

[Duncan] He admired your adventurous spirit. You were still golden with him, you know.

[Zack] Hey, look: I'm really sorry that you had to handle everything on your own, especially at the end. And, that I didn't see him before he passed. I never thought it would happen so fast.

[Duncan] Just bad timing. But thanks. And anyway, he was our father. It’s the least I could've done.

[Zack] No, it was me going off into the wilderness without thinking twice about the consequences. THAT'S the least I could’ve done.

[They approach a shady area thick with desert vegetation.]

[Duncan] OK, check out this place I found. Hardly anyone knows about it.

[Zack] Wow. It feels like a hide-out in here. There's even a little water! And it's five degrees cooler.

[Duncan] We can sit here, on the dry parts.

[Zack] Ouch - shit! I sat on some barbs. OK, I'm good.

[Duncan, as he settles.] Pop and I came here a lot, until he was too weak to make the walk. He felt...better here, like it gave him back some of his power. [He reaches into his backpack.] I brought his ashes.

[Zack] You brought Pop's ashes in a Big Gulp cup?!

[Duncan] I know! He liked having me drive him to the 711. It was a break from the monotony. See? It's got a good tight lid...and a straw-hole, so we can pour them out. Here, I brought one for you, too.

[Zack] The ashes wouldn't fit into just one?

[Duncan] Well, Pop WAS a big guy.

[They solemnly raise the Big Gulp cups and sprinkle ashes into the desert sand.]

[Duncan looks over at Zack.] OK, now you say something. About him, I mean.

[Zack] Oh, right. Hey, Pop. It's Zack and Duncan, we're both here. We love you.

[Duncan] I know you loved this place. And I wanted Zack to see it, too. Rest in peace.

[Zack, as he mixes some ashes into a small puddle.] I'm sorry I wasn't here for you, Pop. I appreciate everything you did for me. Thank you.

[Duncan, after a long pause.] OK, we good? Let's save some for the walk home.

[Duncan] So, is this San Francisco thing out of your system?

[Zack] In a word, shit no. I love that city! The urban buzz hooked me. The food, the street music, Chinatown, the bay... and Golden Gate Park, where I spend a lot of my time. And it's so amazing: You can actually touch the plants...

[Both Zack and Duncan.] ...without bleeding?

[Zack] Exactly! San Francisco's where I want to be. Only thing is, I'm not sure I can afford to live there. And I'm getting too old to be a street hippie.

[Duncan] Then let me give you the news: Pop left the house to both of us, 50-50. No real surprise there. But: It's fully paid off.

[Zack stops.] Holy shit. For real?

[Duncan] He figured you were coming back at SOME point - I mean, to stay. But that's your choice.

[Zack] Hmmm, I'll have to think about this - living out here again...

[Duncan] Listen, I had a thought. Pop had an investment account I didn’t know about, and he left it to me, for taking care of him this past year.

[Zack] Nice! So, how much are we talking about?

[Duncan] Well, maybe enough for me to buy your share of the house - so you get cash rather than desert real estate. I mean, if that’s what you want.

[Zack] Wow. You'd do that?

[Duncan] It works for me. I've still got my construction work with Uncle Gene, and that's been steady. Besides, I don't need much.

[Zack] Well, thank you. I appreciate it, brother. Let me think it over, but right now that sounds pretty perfect.

[Duncan] Hey, we may be twins, but we don't have to be joined at the hip.

[Zack] So I gotta ask, are you good with living out here alone?

[Duncan] For sure. At least for now. It's not crowded, and it's quiet. I find the desert fascinating, actually.

[Zack] Different strokes...

[Duncan] And, I’ve taken up bowling.

[Zack] Bowling? It's about time!

[Duncan] I know! And it seems to be growing on me.

[Zack] Did you buy a ball yet?

[Duncan] No, I'm using yours.

[Zack] Hang on: You’re using my custom-made, see-through-blue, Lightning Strikes Pro Series ball with the luminous monkey skull in the center?

[Duncan] Well, there it was in your closet, in its custom-made denim bag. I thought I'd give it a spin.

[Zack] All right then, you hang onto it. I think I'm over bowling, anyways. And that reminds me - something Jenny said: In September she's moving back out here, to look after her mom.

[Duncan] Hmmm...interesting.

[Zack] I mean, she was YOUR girlfriend first. Until she found herself overpowered by my natural charms.

[Duncan] Not to mention your scent. But I forgive you.

[Zack] Anyway, she said she'd look you up.

[Duncan] Thanks for the warning.

[Zack] And she likes bowling.

[They approach the house; it's now late afternoon.]

[Zack] Thanks for the walk. I'm feeling better about things.

[Duncan] Yeah, same here. And I'm glad you're back. At least for the next 48 hours.

[Zack stops and looks around him.] I will say this for the desert: It's definitely unique, with the space and the light, and the shapes. What did you call it earlier - "beautifully..."