The Return of Black Jack Sterno — Part 1
Steve was running as fast as he could. He visualized his legs stretching, reaching for the next few feet of sidewalk; another block and safety. At the corner, he turned without losing a step. That Felt and his three accomplices, wouldn’t come down this street, too many witnesses. As Steve slowed to a walk, he wondered if he would ever make it through eighth grade. Steve Vernor and Thad Felt were classmates at St. Vincent’s School. Thad seemed intent on ending Steve’s school career before high school would ever begin. It was a ritual now. Every day when school let out, Thad and some of his pals would seek out Steve. If he was slow leaving the school area, the hue and cry would begin, and the chase was resumed. Luckily, Steve was blessed with speed to make up for his lack of brawn.
Thad was usually satisfied just scaring Steve for a few blocks. Thad thought it was funny and he hoped it might impress any girls that might be watching. Steve remembered the first time he had set eyes on Thad Felt the previous September. It was surely not love at first sight.
Thad was a squat, thickset, ugly chunk of a kid. a couple inches over five feet, with a square face, topped by a bushy, long crewcut. In the winter, Steve later would observe, Thad would wet his head throughly before leaving home in the morning, so it would freeze his hair in spikes, which he hoped would result in a more fearsome appearance. He was about twenty pounds of candy overweight, but he did have some muscle on him; another fact that Thad hoped would appeal to the ladies.
Not long after the school year started, Steve had his first brush with Thad. It was a cool October morning in the schoolyard. It was the first time Thad had ever confronted him and asked for his homework; because he’d not done the required assignment. Steve refused and was roughed up by Thad for his reward. Before Thad could completely pulverize him, the bell rang and a teacher came out to usher them into class. “If I fail this class, I’ll remember this, Vernor, and so will you!” said an angry Thad. He did fail the class. He never let Steve forget it.
The school year dragged on through the months and it was soon early May and things had not changed. As Steve sat at his table in the cafeteria, he decided that he couldn’t run anymore. It was doubtful that fate would intervene. Thad was very careful while crossing streets and he didn’t look to be suffering from any rare diseases. He’d lived in the neighborhood for two years, so it looked like he was here to stay.
Steve knew that if he was going to confront his nemesis and his gang, he must do it soon. Otherwise, he might never make it to high school graduation. An idea gradually took shape in his mind. The more he thought it through, the better he liked it. Steve remembered the dashing hero of his favorite book, “Black Jack Sterno -Terror of Tortuga!”. He would see if he could take a page out of Black Jack’s book. Here comes Stern Steve Sterno!
Steve knew that he still had a problem. He couldn’t do this alone, he needed help. How was he going to defeat Thad Felt without a right-hand man? Black Jack had his faithful, one-eyed half breed, Tim Bucktooth. Tim was a really ugly, sad looking pirate, with no friend save Black Jack. Steve needed to find his own Tim Bucktooth.
@copyright 1989