Part 376: The Trials Of Locke Part 2

March 15th, 2006

Locke was starting to feel like his life was routine. Every morning he would wake up and take a shower and eat breakfast and put on his clothes and drive to work and continue to do a job he hated. Did the life on the Island mean that much to him? He felt incredibly selfish; he wanted to stay on the Island but he had made too many friends and too close relations to do that. He wondered how much his life would have been different.

Locke picked up his coffee cup and proceeded into the break room. As he walked down the hall and into the entrance, he noticed Gordon and Sweeny were hanging outside the room. They both had looks on their faces like they were ashamed of something. The older man paused with his friends before going in. “Hey, guys,” he asked, “What’s going on?”

“Oh, morning, John . . “ Sweeny rubbed the back of his head.

“Uh, Colonel . . .maybe we should go get our coffee on the other break room?” Gordon asked.

“The other break room is on the other side of the building, Gordon. I am not fully interested-“

Locke paused when he looked inside. Near the coffee machines were a group of men huddled around Randy. One of the men on the far left, Joseph, was a looking at what appeared to be a Polaroid. The older man looked at his friends and then walked into the room. He strode over to the coffee machine and helped himself. “Hey, John,” Joseph said,” Have you seen this picture of Ellen?”

Locke paused when he heard her name. “Don’t bother, Joe,” Randy sneered, “Locke’s blood is tame. He doesn’t have the need to look at the nubile body of a young Jewish woman.”

Locke looked at Randy and then flashed a glance at the Polaroid. It was Ellen in all her naked glory, posing for the camera. It wasn’t enough to get Locke aroused, but it was enough to disgust him. “You’re a damn fool, Randy,” he cursed the supervisor.

“Maybe,” he smiled with a smug grin, “But I’m the damn fool that goes to bed with that every night.”

Locke threw down his stirring straws after he was done and then turned to leave the room. The men were still laughing and Randy were telling more private stuff about what positions Ellen prefers. The moment the older man left the room, his two younger friends followed him. He appreciated the fact that they were not in ogling the photo. He would have told them that, had he not been fighting mad.


The afternoon had come and Locke was on his way back to the break room for his daily game of Risk. He had sent an email to Ellen to meet him there but she sent no reply. He was worried about her. He stepped into the break room and only found Gordon there, sipping on his diet coke as usual. Locke sighed, and sat down. “Ready, Colonel?” Gordon asked.

“Ready, GL12.” He smiled and helped himself to his daily burger.


Their break was coming to an end. Gordon was happy that for the first time in weeks, he had started to win the game. Locke didn’t seem to care; he had to admit his thoughts were on Ellen. He was worried about her severely. Randy had no right to do what he did but in the end, the older man wondered what he could do about it. Then someone else came into the room. Locke looked at the young black lady named Joanna as she walked in and strode to the coffee machine. He knew that she worked with Ellen in accounting. “Joanna?” he asked, getting her attention.

“Yes, John?” she raised an eyebrow.

“Have you seen Ellen today?”

The black woman stopped pouring her coffee and paused. She slowly turned around and rested against the counter. “Did you . .uh . . .did you hear what Randy did?” she asked.

Locke sighed. “Yes,” he agreed.

“Ellen heard too. She was only here for two hours this morning. After that she just left. I am afraid . . .she quit.”

“Quit?” Gordon gasped.

“Damn it.” Locke muttered.

Joanna sniffed and wiped a single tear. “Why . . .why would Randy do such a thing?” she asked.

Locke stood up and hurled his coke can in a nearby trashcan. “Cause he is a bastard and that’s what bastards do!” he yelled.

Gordon watched the friend he had known for three years walk out of the break room in a huff. Joanna was even amazed; she barely know the older man but it did seem he cared greatly for Ellen. She didn’t even know if Ellen and John were that close.


John settled in for the evening at his apartment. After the dinner he had, which consisted of microwaved Swedish Meatballs from Lean Cuisine; he walked in to the living room and turned on his TV. He felt he was still getting older as he seemed to be watching the Weather Channel mostly. The News depressed him but seeing weather patterns were must more interesting. He often wondered if it was a sign of his age or was it a sign that his abilities that Watchman gave him were still intact? His thoughts were then interrupted by a knocking at the door.

Locke paused; wondering who could be visiting him. In fact, no one visited him. He then calmly stood up and walked up to the door, then looked out the eyehole. He was amazed at the person standing in front of his door. He quickly opened it and looked at the young woman. “Ellen?” he asked.

“Hey, John,” she sniffed, clearly she had been crying, “May I . . .may I come in?”

“Yes, please,” he said, guiding her in.

The young brunette strode in and looked around. Locke motioned for her to sit on his couch. She turned and slowly sat down. The older man stared down at her and he wanted to say something but the words were difficult. She then looked up at him with the mascara running down her cheeks. “Randy . . .he . . . .” she tried to say.

Locke held up his hand. “You don’t have to say anything. I already know.” He whispered.

The knowledge of that made Ellen feel worse. She then started bawling, covering her eyes with her hands. Locke didn’t know what else to do so he quickly sat down and put his arms around her. She then grabbed his chest and continued to cry. He stroked her hair, letting her get it out. She started to hyperventilate and tried to catch her breath. “That . . son of a . . .bitch!” she screamed, “I thought he loved me.”

“Randy couldn’t have loved you because he can’t comprehend what love means, Ellen.” Locke whispered.

She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. She slowly let go and leaned up. She sniffed and wiped her eyes. Locke reached over and pulled out a tissue for her. She wiped her eyes, best she could. She sniffed and then laughed a little bit. “I guess . .I should have spoken to you before dating him.” She sighed.

“It’s okay,” he asked.

“You’re a nice man, John. Ten times better than Randy.”

“I think that is probably the compliment of the century.” He smiled his warm smile.

Ellen smiled at him and then wiped her eyes again. “Oh, my God, I must be a mess, “ she giggled slightly, “Can I use your bathroom?”

“Sure,” he pointed, “down the hall and to the left.”

Ellen got up and then gently walked down the hallway, then stepped into the bathroom. Locke stood up and massaged his cheeks. He wondered if she was truly okay. The older man then gently strode down to the hallway. Calmly, he knocked on the door and braced himself on the side wall. “Ellen?” he asked.

“Yes, John?” she replied.

“Did you . . uh . . .did you quit our company over this?”

There was a pause for a moment, as he heard the sink running and then quickly turn off. “Yes. Yes, I did.” She answered.

“I’m sorry,” he replied, “If you like, I could put in a word to let them re-hire you. Explain to them why you left in the first place. I am sure-“

“Thanks, John,” she said, opening the door, “But no thanks. After what Randy did, I don’t think I could ever go back there.”

Locke shook his head and sighed. “I guess I could understand that.” He agreed.

“John . .do you mind if I . . stay here tonight?” she asked.

Locke looked at he abruptly.

She gently rubbed her cheek and looked at the floor. “I . . .I really don’t want to be alone tonight.” She whispered.

“Yeah. Okay, sure,” he said, motioning to his bed room, “You can take my bed.”

“Oh, no, I can’t take your bed, John!” she gasped.

“Please, I insist,” he smiled, “I think you could use a good night’s sleep. Besides, I’ve slept on my couch before in my moving periods.”

Ellen stared up at him and then gently embraced him. Locke smiled and hugged her back. “Thanks, John,” she smiled, “For everything.”


In the middle of the night, John shifted over in his couch. He calmly rested his arm on his forehead. His back was hurting slightly; it had been some years since he slept on his couch that included more than a nap. He was still worried about Ellen. He thought when the sun came up; he’d look up Libby’s number and ask that she take a look at her. Maybe even sit down and talk with her. As he shifted back toward his side, he heard the door to his bed room opening up and saw her silhouette walking out into the darkness of the hallway. “Ellen?” Locke asked.

The young woman followed the sound of his voice and strode into the living room. She didn’t turn on the lights. Locke then blinked when he realized she was wearing nothing but her panties. “Uh . .Ellen? Wha-wha-what are you doing?” he asked.

“Shhhh,” she said, as she slowly lifted her leg and sat down on him.

“Ellen, I don’t think-“

“Shhh,” she repeated as she lowered herself onto him, putting her finger on his lips, “Don’t turn me away, John. I need you.”

Locke felt his heart racing. It had been some time since he had been with anybody other than Helen and not to mention the fact, that this young woman was closer to Mia’s age. Ellen then gently leaned up and began to suckle on his neck. Locke was almost scared he was going to have a heart attack.

Almost.

He then took her by the head and kissed her. Ellen held onto him, moaning slightly. As they parted, Locke would see an expression in her face he had not seen all night; she was happy. She continued to kiss him, basking his warm. He hoped she wouldn’t be upset with his lack of skills at making love but he was certain she didn’t care about that.

Just for that night, she needed to be with someone.