Note: This is the final chapter in Bears introduction to the Dynamic Duo, a chapter the result of a review suggesting Bear's POV of Harold Finch. (Hope this works for you Ani-maniac494… )
"I see it's sleeping here now…"
"You'll like Bear. He's friendly."
...
The Alpha has left again to go hunting, and now he's all alone with the Tall Man's friend in the Big House. A smaller human he labels Glasses Man.
Strange little man…!
He really hasn't had to get very close to study this man's scent; it's all over the big house and especially strong near the center, near the desk where the human sits playing with all those black boxes. Not an unpleasant smell - though of course nothing to compare with the special odor of his Alpha!
Glasses Man's scent is more thick cloth and books and another scent he recognizes from his prior handler, who often left home with that smell after spraying himself with something out of a bottle. Same flavor…like wet forest.
There's a bed here for him now, given especially to him by the Alpha. Nice bed, just big enough for him to lie down on without parts of his body sprawling on the floor. He lays there watching the little man, and though the bed is located far away from desk area, he can still pick up on a variety of conflicting emotions from the smaller human. Rather strange…some anger, a little fear, and a lot of anxiety.
The little man is not pleased to have him here and because of that he will behave cautiously in the human's presence for a while. But he's never been bashful or a reserved…has never had to be: he's a Good Boy, and when humans don't fear him, they admire him, praise him, and rub his ears.
So what is it then…is Glasses Man afraid him?
Under other circumstances he would simply ignore any reaction until that person came to realize just how wonderful a dog he is. But the Alpha seems attached to Glasses Man and even gave the command to "protect" before leaving. So he has an important job now: stay close and keep this small man safe for the Alpha!
Now how to do that if the human doesn't want him near? Strange little man…!
Alpha would want him to find a way to do his job properly. He lies on the bed, eyes on the man sitting a room length away from him. So what do humans like to do with dogs?
Teach commands.
Go on walks.
Ride in trucks.
Give baths.
And…play fetch! Yes!
He leaps from the bed and goes on the search for the tennis ball he's carefully hidden behind file cabinet. It's fairly new, though he's been chewing it off and on to make it more palatable. No ball should be clean or smell fresh and this one is almost the way he likes it…some scratches, a few bare patches, and a little slippery.
He will use his special toy to get closer to the human…
Approaching the desk he carefully places the ball on one corner. Just so. No whining, no jumping, just gently let the ball sit where the human can see it… He backs off and waits for a response, eyes on Glasses Man. It may take a while, but he's had a lot of experience waiting on humans; they tend to be somewhat slow to react.
Glasses Man finally looks at the ball, wraps a soft paper around it, then positions it on the floor just as gently and precisely as it was laid on the desk.
Well. Not quite what he intended, but it's a start. Perhaps Glasses Man doesn't understand this game. He picks up the ball again and returns it to the edge of the desk. This time he moves back to his bed, still keeping his attention on the human.
"Any luck with that plate, Finch?"
"No! This…distraction…you've adopted keeps interrupting my work!"
Glasses Man wraps the ball and places it on the floor again.
He stays on the bed, watching closely. Maybe this a new game?
Instead of fetching a thrown ball, is he supposed to pick it up from the floor and keep putting it back on the desk? The small man has said nothing directly to him, nothing that would indicate that these actions are desired or not. Is he supposed to guess the correct behavior?
Strange little man…!
He leaves his bed and once more repeats the process: picks up the ball and gently places it on the desk. Evidently with a little more force this time, because ball rolls toward the center, toward the black box that holds Glasses Man's attention. He backs off again and waits.
This time the small man picks up the ball without the soft paper and with a strange expression holds it briefly, no doubt disliking the feel of the slippery toy. Humans never have any appreciation for a ball that's chewed just right…with some slobber on it! It's just one of their failings…
Then Glasses Man appears to at last understand what is supposed to be done: the ball is thrown.
Finally!
Bounding after the ball, his feet skid on the smooth floor and he almost runs into the wall. But he's got the toy now and proudly brings it back.
See Glasses Man?
This is how the game is played!
Now it's your turn again!
"What was that noise, Finch?"
"What noise? I didn't hear anything."
The little man seems more relaxed. Of course! A dog knows best and he knew if he could just get the human engaged in this fun game, everything would be better and the little man would realize what a good dog he has attending him. And stop being afraid.
He brings back the ball every time it's thrown, aware the human is now smiling at his antics. He runs into the wall deliberately, stumbles a few times, and purposefully misses an easy catch, just to give the human some pleasure. And maybe a little because he likes the attention. But the Alpha would approve…
Eventually the little man wearies of the game. Humans always do, being somewhat weaker and not so motivated by a ball. But that's all right too, because now Glasses Man is pulling the bed closer to the desk. So…mission accomplished! He has managed to get close to the human so can better protect him.
Good Boy to him! The Alpha will be proud of way he is doing this job…!
...
He's put the ball back into the hidey-hole behind the file cabinet, taken several naps, walked around the big house, and catalogued the scents on all the lower book shelves. He even came running back to his bed when the small man whistled, just to show the human how he could be trusted.
It's afternoon now and the day has dragged on…boring…nothing to do. He sighs heavily, and then again. Maybe the human will get the hint? With his head on the bed, he continues to observe Glasses Man.
Strange little man…but maybe not so much anymore.
"Would you like to go for a walk? Let's get your leash."
Walk?
That's a word he knows well…and yes, he would like to go out! He'd already retrieved the leash and now picks it up from his bed to show Glasses Man he is ready to go. But the little man is still talking to him.
"I suppose you'll want some treats…"
The human walks to the file cabinet, pulls out a small container…and then stops. There is something there that has caught the human's attention, a scrap of paper? The man becomes increasingly more nervous. Whatever Glasses Man is staring at, it fills him with fear. The little man touches an ear, and faint sounds leak into the air, but with no distinct syllables and nothing a dog could recognize.
"I need you to come keep an eye on Sophia…"
"Not a problem. I'll be there shortly."
What does this mean?
Are we not going for a walk then?
He dances impatiently in front of the human, until the little man finally attaches the leash, though somewhat hesitantly.
Then Glasses Man stands very still.
"So…we'll…just go outside…"
Yes! Finally on the way!
He walks quietly next to his companion, shortening his stride to match the small mans lurching gait and careful not to surge ahead of the human's knee, just as he's been taught. He's happy to be out of the big house, outside where there is more activity and movement and scents to savor. But the one scent that seems to overpower all is coming from the man beside him: anxiety.
Why is the little man still afraid?
He will protect the human…that's his job!
They cross the street with other people hurrying ahead, leaving them behind.
Wait!
What are you doing Glasses Man?
This is not a place to stop!
There are big cars going by; it's not a place for dog or human.
This part of the street belongs to the metal monsters!
But Glasses Man seems stuck, turning slowly in circles as though confused as to which direction to go. So he sits, an automatic response, flinching as the metal monsters pass by. The scent of fear is now almost a visible cloud that surrounds them both.
But this is wrong!
He must protect the little man for the Alpha…and stands up again to take control of the situation.
This way human..!
To the side of the street..hurry, hurry, hurry…!
He pulls the little man along and they race back to the big house…or at least as fast as the impaired human can race. The scent of fear surrounding the human is now very strong, and he can literally see sweat beads dotting on the forehead of Glasses Man.
He pulls the little man past the gate, barely stopping to allow the human to unclip the leash. At last in the hallway, Glasses Man stands very still and talks into the air, panic an arid flavor all around.
"Mr. Reese, I seem to be having a complication. I won't be able to meet you."
"No problem Harold. I'll call Fusco…"
It's very confusing, but all is well now. They are back in the Big House and he has fulfilled his duty: the human is still safe! He makes his way back to the bed and sighs contently.
Good Boy to him!
...
Another nap and the rest of the day passes quickly while Glasses Man continues to talk to the air and plays with the black box on the desk. The human gives him his dinner and seems to be somewhat calmer, not so nervous.
Then the gate opens and that wonderful scent drifts over to him. He leaps up. The Alpha is back!
He runs to the gate with a yelp, just in time to see the Tall Man step into the hallway, and without any thought to past training, launches himself at the human, bringing him down to the floor. Definitely not the acceptable protocol for greeting a Leader…but all instinct concerning proper etiquette behavior is completely overwhelmed with the relief that his new pack is still intact!
He apologizes for his impulsiveness by submissively licking the Alphas chin, trying hard not to step on the human's vulnerable underside. Thankfully the human does not seem angry or even disprove these actions…in fact, the Tall Man is smiling and giving him an ear rub. He is ecstatic! His Alpha is back and will now see how fine a job he has done in protecting the little man.
Good Boy to him!
...
He listens with pleasure to his Alphas voice, his tail turning happy circles…
"It's time we went for that beer."
"I need to wrap things up here."
"Things here can wait…"
This is wonderful!
They are all going for a walk: he, the Alpha, and Glasses Man!
Obviously the Alpha has brought him along so they can work together, just like in his former job. With Glasses Man walking between them they will work in partnership to protect the smaller man…a well matched team with a purpose.
"Does it have to be beer?"
He's been fortunate to be welcomed into this pack, one with a strong Leader…and he's pleased his skills are once more being acknowledged and put to good use. Prancing next to the two humans as his Alpha smiles, then chuckles, he knows all is truly well. His wait is over…
Good Boy to him!