Guy--Part Thirty-Five

Splog # 149

Thirty-Five

   One little blink was all it took. Light came pouring from his eyes. Light that showed Guy that he was no longer alone. The water above where he was lying was filled with sea horses. They were all different sizes and the colors that enveloped them were so varied it was like staring into a kaleidoscopic rainbow. They floated in and out of the light from his eyes with a grace that brought a smile to his face. He forgot about everything else in his joy and wonder. And then his voice spoke.

   "There we are. All well at last. It took a little time but now we can resume our search. Look at those fellows! I had wondered where they'd gotten off to. I was under the impression they'd accompany us on our little trek. And I guess I wasn't wrong. Now all we have to do is get you settled for...Ah! Look at you! Look at us! You found it while I was occupied with repairs. Good job! How did you know...Well, I knew you were a bright lad from our very first encounter but I never thought you'd get ready all on your own. But there you are! I guess I'm lucky you didn't set off without me, complete the journey, finish the task and then go home while I was fixing the lights." The voice enjoyed a chuckle and then resumed without a pause. "Well, since you're ready and the Ling-Lings are here, what say we start off on our journey to fame and fortune? Not that we're really interested in the old f&f, but it sounds impressive as we sally forth to do our duty. Come on! I'm revved! What do you say? Charge!"

   The voice trailed off for a moment, leaving Guy still lying in the object and yet feeling exhausted, as if he'd been running through the underwater landscape the whole time the voice had been urging him on.

   "Guy! Guy! What are you waiting for? The Ling-Lings are raring to go. I'm as excited as though this were my first big quest. Don't just lie there, boy! Let's go! Go! Go!"

    This time the voice actually waited for a reply from Guy.

   "Please, Mr. Spatula. I don't know how to get out of this thing. I'm kind of stuck. Can you help me to get up?"

   Guy waited but there was no response. He watched the sea horses swarming above him and wondered what had happened to Mr. Spatula. It was strange that, after the overwhelming eagerness with which the voice had been exhorting him about starting forth, the voice should suddenly just evaporate into silence. Ever since he'd encountered the voice, it was almost constantly making him aware of its presence. And now it was gone? Maybe it was trying to figure out how he had become stuck. Maybe it didn't know how to help him and had given up. Maybe he'd have to stay here under the ocean and...

   "Guy?" The voice very quietly and calmly interrupted his panicky thoughts.

   "Yes, sir?" he breathed in relief.

    "Guy, have you ever felt sensitive about your name?"

   Guy was at a loss. He wasn't sure what the voice was talking about. "I don't think so, sir."

   "You know. Like if someone mispronounced it and called you - I don't know - Gwee or Gwai or something odd like that."

   Guy just lay with his mouth open and no idea what the voice was talking about.

   "I understand that it can be confusing so I'll tell you a little secret that only my best friends know. That is, if you're interested. Are you interested, do you think?"

   In the smallest possible voice, Guy answered, "Yes, sir."

   "Oh, good. I'm glad. Well, all it is is this. It's not even that important. I let my close friends - and I do hope you consider yourself one - I let them call me Bugs."

   Complete silence for a few moments.

   "Well, what do you think?"

   Guy wanted to say something that would please the voice but, at this point, felt unsure of its reaction to anything. He murmured, "I like Bugs."

   "Excuse me?"

   "I said, I like Bugs."

   "You like bugs? Excuse me, but are you speaking of insects or of my nom de plume?"

   "I meant your name. I like Bugs, But I think your other name is much grander."

   "Ah, yes. There I have to agree with you. But - as glorious as it is - it tends to be quite a mouthful and sometimes people can get confused and forget it or part of it or even, curiously enough, mispronounce it."

   More moments of silence.

   "It is strange that although each of those four individual components that combine in one magnificent whole, they are each accented in the same place - that is, the center syllable - people often scatter the accents wherever they happen to find them convenient."

   Silence.

   "Here. Let me show you. Bo-RI-as. U-FON-do. Gru-DAS-tin. Spa-TU-la. There. What do you think? I'll do it again. Bo-RI-as. U-FON-do. Gru-DAS-tin. Spa-TU-la."

   More silence. It sank into Guy's mind that he had been calling bugs Mr. SPA-tu-la rather than Mr. Spa-TU-la. He figured he must have hurt his feelings pretty badly and tried to think of some words of comfort.

   "Mr. Spa-TU-la..." he began and then trailed off in inadequacy.

   "Call me Bugs," the voice said. "Although I can't tell you how pleasant it is to hear the name with its correct pronunciation. But, really," the voice seemed to pick up energy, "this is all foolishness. Let's not be oversensitive. Let's just be off."