Alfred Balm

The Expedition Alfred Balm

The truck stopped on the side of the road its engine killed and lights switched off in front of a narrow dam across the ditch along the length of a parcel fenced with barbed wire. In the center of the dam across the ditch was a wooden gate, closed with a heavy iron chain, intended to stop strangers from entering. A rusty metal sign warned, Verboden Toegang, entrance forbidden. The dark shape of a cluster of buildings at the end of a long pathway, was vaguely delineated against the distant horizon. Separated from what appeared to be stables or equipment sheds, was the main house. A light fixture on the side of the farmhouse doused the area between the buildings in a yellowish dim glow. A dog started barking, the distant deep voice of a large animal. On the first floor, a light was switched on and for several minutes the shadow of a man appeared against a brightly lit background, framed in the center of the open window. Then the shadow retreated and the light was switched off. "What do we do now?" whispered fatso timidly, malodour emanating from his fat sweaty body started filling the cabin. "You do nothing, just stay in the truck and keep your eyes open".