Too highfalutin - Muscle growth, reality change, AI image sequence.
A buzz echoed from his PA system and James put down his pen and pressed the button " What is it Martha?"
"Mr Tucker... there is a man here to see you. He says he's your brother Buford?"
James froze in his chair, he hadn't seen his brother or any of his family for over a decade. James had never felt part of his family growing up, school, maths, academics and business all came naturally to him whereas the other members of his family dropped out and could barely read. They made him feel isolated and different as they made fun of him for studying and working hard when they said he would just be working on their ranch in the future anyway. James made sure that would never happen, he didn't want to trapped in his small town with people who he had nothing in common with. James worked his ass off in school to get perfect grades and when it was confirmed he had received a full scholarship to college he ran as far as he could from the dinky, backwards swamp water town and his embarrassing, hick family.
James had worked hard, got his degree, got a good job in the city and rose quickly of the ranks of the company and was now a regional manager with whispers that he may even make director at just 32. James loved his new life, he lived in a fancy high rise a completely different world to the cramped trailer he would share with his brother outside on the ranch. He drove an expensive sports car, wore tailored suits and spent his summer's skiing, far from the nasty old pickup truck his family took him to school in or the hand me down clothes his brother gave him and the summer's spent by the lake down the road being bitten by bugs. Everything about his past he hated and he loved the person he had worked so hard to become but hearing Buford's name filled him with a mixture of emotions.
Buford has been the only one he had any kind of relationship growing up, as the big brother he looked after him and he was the only one that sort of understood why he wanted to leave.
"Hello Mr Tucker? Would you like for me to call security?" Martha interrupted his thoughts.
"No that will not be necessary. Martha send him up and while you are at it send everyone on the floor to lunch, yourself included. We are not to be disturbed." James said, while he was curious to see his brother he certainly didn't want everyone he worked with to know where he came from.
"Of course Mr Tucker."
James waited in his office for a short while before there was a knock at his door and sure enough a head of ginger hair poked around the corner and Buford grinned and greeted his little brother.
"Well howdy there, Jimbob! Been a mighty long spell, ain’t it? And don’t you look all gussied up and proper." Buford smiled his accent thick and his drawl long.
"Don't call me that, I go by James now." James said cringing at his brother's accent and his birth name, both of which he found deeply embarrassing.
"Well, pardon me, Mister Fancy Pants. It’s just… I missed you somethin’ fierce!" Buford said, his smile warm as he stared intently at James who felt guilty for snapping at his big brother. After a brief pause Buford broke the silence "I brought ya a little somethin’." He then held up a large jug of moonshine. "I reckon y’all can’t get somethin’ like this up here in the fancy city, now can ya? Figured maybe we could sit a spell, have us a drink, and catch up proper." Buford smiled and James couldn't help but let his defences down, his brother was genuinely happy to see him and James had forgotten just how positive and fun his brother could be.
"Sure thing Buford, let's have a drink" James smiled and gestured for his brother to sit as he pulled out two scotch glasses from the cabinets behind his desk. Buford poured and they clinked glasses and sat down. James winced at how strong it was and the flavour was a little different to what he remembered.
"You remember the last time we had us a drink together?" Buford said savouring his sip.
James was then bombarded with a memory of the moonshine "I do, you had stolen some from under Grandpa's bed and dared me to try some with you!" James laughed.
"Yeah… didn’t taste much better back then neither. I just remember us sittin’ out front, watchin’ them fireflies dance around, talkin’ with you. I think on that a whole lot." Buford paused and James suddenly felt a pang of guilt, he had left his big brother, abandoned him on that ranch with his extended family. Now here he was in a ripped shirt and dirty jeans, while he was in his expensive and wearing a watch that probably could buy the whole ranch. James let out a small smile but that soon faded as Buford continued to speak.
"Matter of fact, the whole family’s been thinkin’ on you lately."
"Why is that?" James said suspiciously as he took another deep drink of the moonshine. "Buford why are you here?"
"Truth is, little brother… the ranch needs help." Buford sighed but before he could continue James stepped in.
"And you want my money to save it! Typical, everyone made fun of me of working hard in school but look who has come crawling to ask for help!" James's feeling of guilt quickly faded and his previous resentment for his family filled him to the brim.
"Whoa, whoa, now it ain’t nothin’ like that, Jimbob. Ranch is doin’ alright, truth be told. Ain’t makin’ us rich or nothin’, but it keeps us comfortable enough. What we do need is help. Somebody strong enough to pitch in with the liftin’ and carryin’, all that manual work that’s gotten to be too much for Pa and the others. And, well… that’s when we all got to talkin’ about you.” Buford smile then turned a little bit more sinister.
"Why would I help with that?!" James sneered as he finished his glass and poured out another.
"Cause we need somebody we can trust, Jimbob. We need kin. I can see it plain as a brand on hide, you been workin’ awful hard to scrape every bit of Tucker off yourself. Changin’ your name, dyin’ that hair, fillin’ your life up with all these shiny, uppity city things. But that ain’t you, little brother. That ain’t your blood, and it sure as Sunday ain’t us. You done got too big for your britches. Too snobby. Too uppity. Yous gone too highfalutin." Buford then grinned and stared into James's eyes. "That’s why they sent me up here. To fetch you back home where you belong. Back to family. Back to the ranch. Back where we can get you raised right."
"I told you my name isn't..." James then felt a burning in his throat as he coughed to try to clear it and then he continued what he was saying "Jimbob and I don’t rightly know what you think’s happenin’ here but I ain’t ever goin’ back to that ranch. Not now. Not nohow.” James's eyes then went wide for horror as the words he wanted to say changed as they came out of his mouth, his voice was tainted by words he hadn't uttered in a decade.
James then tried again to speak, he wanted to say 'what happened to my voice' but instead in a thick, slow, heavy drawl and accent he said "What in the Sam Hill… why in God’s green earth am I talkin’ like that?" James throat burned as his old accent and vocabulary blurted from his mouth, a voice he had spent years training to get rid of, the accent he had tried so hard to disguise, the voice he trained himself out of so no one would every mistake him for some dumb redneck, it was back. How was it possible? James then looked to Buford who was smiling happily and raising his glass of moonshine. James dropped the glass instantly as it smashed and splashed across his desk.
James was both panicked and furious as he stood up and yelled at his smiling brother who didn't even flinch. "What in tarnation! You done poisoned me! How dare you! Martha! Call security, now, ya hear?!"James screeched, hating every second of the dumb voice he heard coming from his lips.
"Shoot… you done sent ever’body off to lunch, didn’t ya? Ain’t nobody here but you an’ me now, Jimbob.” Buford smiled as his brother stood over him.
Filled with rage James yelled "Git outta my office! Git on out! Don’t just stand there lookin’ like a mule starin’ at a new gate, GIT!”
"No, I don’t reckon I will. Matter fact, I’m gonna make dang sure you lose every last one of them highfalutin city ways. Then I’m haulin’ you back home to Ma and Pa where you belong. Now… let’s start by makin’ you look a little more like a Tucker.” Buford said grinning as he leant further back in his chair and sipped his moonshine.
James was about to start yelling again when his head started to tingle, it started as more of a tickle but soon became an itch and James couldn't help but scratch it. "What in God’s name did you do to me?" James screeched as he looked to his window to catch his reflection and James anger quickly changed to fear as he watched his hair slowly start to change. James didn't know how it was possible as he watched his dyed, jet black hair lighten in colour and start to turn a bright autumn colour. "No it can't be real!" James said as he watched his hair change into the bright ginger colour he had for all of his childhood, in his small little town there was only one red head family and that always identified him as a Tucker. It's why he has dyed it for decades, but now it was back the bright copper top he had hated there staring back at him. How had Buford done it? This was more than just some drug in a drink that could change his voice.
"This here ain’t funny, Buford. What in the hell you doin’ to me? I don’t wanna go back home, y’hear? I ain’t goin’ back to that ranch, not no way, not no how! "James yelled trying to sound assertive but his fear was clear as Buford just smiled.
"No, course not Jimbob. Some college learned, high paid big shot like you ain’t gonna wanna come crawlin’ back home, but what if you hadn’t gone off to college, huh? What if all them fancy books and big-city notions never got stuffed in that head o’ yours? Maybe then you’d be singin’ a different tune huh?" Buford's grin made James nervous.
"You ain’t makin’ no sense. What do you mea-" James stopped as his whole body started to feel strange as he looked a Buford with wide scared eyes. Did he seem closer now? Did his shirt feel looser? James had no idea what was happening as his body started to change. It started with his height as he started to get shorter inch by inch, starting at 6'1 he was already to 5'10 by the time he realised why his suit was feeling bigger on him. James panicked as he looked down and then back at his reflection and almost screamed as he realised he wasn't just getting shorter. The muscle mass he has gained was slowly wilting away, his skin looked smoother as any wrinkles or creases started to fade. His adult manly body seemed to shrivel in on himself as he shrunk down to 5'8, as his expensive suit now drowned him. James whimpered as as he looked down at his body, felt his face and then stared at Buford. He hadn't just got shorter, he had got younger. Staring back at him in his window reflection was the 18 Jimbob who had waved goodbye to the Tucker ranch and ran away to college. The problem was he hadn't seen that face in 14 years and now he was staring back at him while his older brother grinned sinisterly at his diminished form.
"Phee-eww… now that’s how I remember my little brother. You was always a late bloomer, weren’t ya? Guess you didn’t hit that growth spurt till after you done left the ranch." Buford laughed heartily as he looked at the diminished James.
James was terrified as he looked down at his younger body, how was this possible? The last decade of his life had just been taken away, he no longer looked like the regional manager but like someone lost their kid at work! At 18 James now felt vulnerable as his brother would now tower over him, how would he be able to fight back? He couldn't call for help everyone had gone to lunch?! What was he going to do, he couldn't let Buford drag him back to the ranch, he may be physically younger but he wasn't that same kid. The life he had now was the one he had worked tirelessly to achieve, the money, the car, the clothes, he knew what it was like and he wasn't going back. Yet, as he stood there helpless, James didn't know how he could fight back, physically he was now too weak but maybe he could use his brain.
"Buford… I don’t know how in the Lord’s name you done this, but you don’t want me back on that ranch. I hated it there. I weren’t never no good at the work, and just look at me, I’m weak as creek water and twice as useless. Please… I don’t know what you, Ma, and Pa been jawin’ about, but I’m better off here, and y’all are better off without me. Just change me back, Buford. Please. I’ll give you money. I got a whole damn mountain of it!" James said hating how his elegant thoughts were now put through a filter of his old accent and cadence.
There was a long pause before Buford sighed "I know you didn’t take to ranch life, little brother. That’s exactly why I’m takin’ you home, so I can teach you better this time. You done got too uppity for your own good." Buford's smile faded as he looked deep into James's eyes. "I don’t want none of your money. I need my little brother back."
James then felt his expensive suit move, was he getting younger again!
"Though I reckon you was right ’bout one thing… lookin’ at you now, you ain’t gonna be no help on the farm. Not all scrawny like that, and sure as hell not dressed in them fancy city clothes" Buford seriousness faded as he went back to laughing as James looked down and panicked as his attempt at reasoning with Buford failed.
James couldn't believes eyes as he watched his expensive suit start to change and morph. The expensive leather shoes that cost him a small fortune turned a dirty brown as they changed into clunky farm boots. The suit jacket he had tailored to fit him faded away, while he itched at his crotch as his underwear changed from designer briefs to cheap, scratchy boxers that he recognised as an old pair of Buford's. James's head then tingled as his hair started to grow, the expensive, styled cut grew out into a wild, curly red haired mullet. James detested the style as it made anyone look like a poor redneck, everything he had tried to hard not to be. James almost felt like crying as he watched his shirt and trousers melt together, the silk fabric turning to rough hard denim, the sleeves disappearing the buttons fading until his shirt was just two straps and his trousers grew longer until he was no longer dressed like a businessman but instead was left in nothing but boots and pair of overalls. The only piece of him from his old outfit was his watch and now it looked entirely out of place on his dirty farm boy look.
James felt tears in his eyes as he looked at his reflection, there he was the young man who just wanted to escape his backwater town and life on his family ranch dressed and ready to work again. He didn't want to go back it wasn't fair he worked so hard to escape, he didn't want to be Jimbob Tucker!
"Buford, please… this ain’t funny no more. I don’t wanna go back home. I don’t wanna live with you and Mama again. I wanna be me. I want my life, my house, my car, my job, all of it. Please, Buford… don’t do this to me. Please. I'm beggin you!" James said as a tear rolled down his cheek, his whole life was being taken away from him and dragged back to the one he spent every second trying to avoid.
"It’s alright, Jimbob. You ain’t gotta fret none. Life’s gonna be better this way, you’ll see. You’re gonna love bein’ back home, and we’re sure as Sunday gonna love havin’ you there. You’re gonna be the best damn worker this ranch ever seen, makin’ me, Ma, and Pa proud, instead of prancin’ around like some highfalutin city snob. Now… let’s get you ranch-strong." Buford smiled as James felt a wave of energy suddenly pulse through him.
"No! Please! No!" James shouted as his body began to change, James felt a slow pressure racing around his body and suddenly he started to grow and expand. It started with his chest as it pushed outwards as to round, perky pectorals began to push against the straps of his overalls. His arms followed quickly after as his biceps and triceps swelled with muscle, pushing his arms outwards and radiating strength. Then his body started to push upwards as he started to gain inches in height more than they ones he had lost moments ago and growing bigger still. James felt his overalls beginning to tighten as they didn't seem to be expanding with his body, his thicker thighs, rounder butt and longer legs seemed to be pushing them to their limits. James looked at his reflection and barely recognised the muscular 18 year old in his reflection, this wasn't him, he didn't want this to be him!
"Please Buford no more!"
But Buford just smiled as his little brother grew taller and more muscular.
James just whimpered as he looked down at his fast growing body as he passed 6'1 and now looked like he was close to 6'8, a giant of a man! This new humongous frame was then packed with a extreme amounts of muscle. James's shoulder exploded with muscles and broadened along with his back, giving him a lumbering imposing form, his arms doubled in size with thick cannonballs for biceps with heavy pulsing veins running across them. His chest grew larger until his pecs were the size of melons and bounced with the smallest movement, his torso was ripped and defined with a strong six pack with washboard abs. James whined as his hands and feet grew larger, his legs grew into strong tree trunks as the overalls ripped above his knees leaves his legs exposed. When he finally stopped growing he was a mountain of muscle, a huge cumbersome heavy hulk of a man that looked nothing like an intelligent regional director, his large hands making it impossible to type but great for hauling hay. James' felt himself begin to sob and even that now came out a deep rumbling voice to match his new monstrous size.
"Why you done did this Buford?"
"Don’t you worry none, Jimbob. Ma and Pa’s gonna raise you right this time. Ain’t gonna be no more notions ’bout runnin’ off and turnin’ into some big city big shot. No more of them big, smart, tangled-up thoughts rattlin’ round in that head o’ yours. All you gotta think on now is the ranch. The ranch, the family… and nothin’ else, Buford will take care of ya." Buford smiled as he got up and touched James's heavy muscular arm and suddenly his brain started to feel fuzzy.
"NOOOOOOOOOO PLEASE NOOOOOOOOOOOOO" James bellowed as his mind started to cloud and change. It started with his job, the memories of him managing a team of people faded, the idea of wearing a suit was now nothing but a fantasy and working in an office was unheard of as everything he could remember about working was erased. He tried to remember what he did, Martha, the time and hard work he had put into climb the corporate ladder but all of it faded to dust, the only place he had ever worked was the ranch. Next was his home and belongings, he had never had an expensive sports car he was far to big and clumsy to even pass his test, instead he was driven around by Buford in the back of pick up truck. The clothes, the food, the apartment all were pulled from his brain as replaced with what he remembered from all those years ago, he only wore old clothes from other people never anything knew which meant they always stunk. He ate whatever Ma cooked up for him even if he hated it and he lived with Buford the trailer was cramped and barely fit them both and his brother stunk up the bathroom something fierce but he could fire back with a nasty fart or two.
James smashed at his head to try and stop the erasing and replacing force in his head but he was unable to pull back any memory he lost and the new ones were too strong. James felt the fuzz intensify as it started to attack his schooling, education and knowledge. "NO, NOT THAT. PLEASE BUFORD LET ME KEEP MA SMARTS" but nothing stopped the change in his brain as he forgot everything he did at college, all the essays, exams and papers were erased without a second thought. Then came high school, then middle school and then elementary school. James sobbed as he found himself struggling to think of words to say, his brain slowing and even what was happening to him was getting hard to comprehend. He felt sad, he knew he lost something but he didn't know what. As his brain slowed he was left with some of the alphabet and his numbers to ten but everything other than that was gone. James had lost everything and now all that was left was big, dumb Jimbob, ready to be raised right, never to become uppity and highfalutin ever again.
Jimbob felt scared, he didn't know why he felt sad and where he was. The only thing he recognised was Buford the best big brother around.
"Buford…" Jimbob said slowly as if every word was now a challenge to think of. "I don’t like this none. I wanna go home"
"Sure thing, Jimbob. Let’s get you on home. My truck’s waitin’ downstairs, so come on now, let’s get you back where you belong. Ma and Pa’s sure gonna be happy to see ya." Buford smiled as he grabbed his monstrously sized little brother by his giant hand and led him out of his office.
Jimbob didn't resist, why would he? Buford always knew best, some people stared as the muscular farm hand walked past the men in expensive suits but no one stopped them from leaving. Buford clambered into his truck as Jimbob sat in the bed of the pickup and watched as he was driven away from the city. As the buildings got further away, Jimbob found himself crying, it felt like he was leaving something he cared about behind but what could that be? Jimbob was then distracted as he heard a ticking, he looked around for a long time before he heard it coming from his wrist. There was a circle with some numbers on it, it looked shiny and new but he didn't recognise it. Jimbob then got up as the truck moved and almost climbed out as he shouted to Buford.
"Buford. What’s this here tickin’ thing?" Jimbob said as he almost made the truck tip over.
"Set yourself back down, ya dang fool, ’fore you go hurtin’ yourself. I’ll talk to ya proper once we get home!" Buford shouted laughing at his dumb little brother as he wobbled around in the back of the truck slumping down and smashing the expensive watch and breaking it and as Jimbob sat there drool starting to collect at the side of his mouth a tiny part at the back of his brain sobbed endlessly.
4 months later...
"Er hello there? Is this the Tucker ranch?" A man in a black suit said as he approached Buford.
"Yes sir, sure is. Name’s Buford. What can I help ya with today?"
"Well I am from M.S Thompson we are a big firm in the city, we had an employee by the name of James Tucker. He seemed to just disappear overnight and after some investigation we found that this might be his family farm? Have you seen him?"
"Hmm no James, but might you mean Jimbob? He’s over yonder in the field, messin’ around with one of our stallions. Big ol’ stinkin’ beast, that one always passin’ wind like he’s tryin’ to clear the whole pasture. But from the sound of it, Jimbob’s givin’ him a run for his money with some of his own backside thunder. Poor fool thinks he can out stink a horse, he’s got another thing comin’… but knowin’ ol’ Jimbob, he’s sure as shootin’ gonna try." Buford smiled as both he and the man in the suit looked over to the field.
There was Jimbob ass bent over as a loud rumbling fart could be heard echoing across the field followed by loud, dumb laughter as the giant dumb monster had a farting contest with his favourite horse.
The man in the suit grimaced before turning back to Buford "That certainly isn't the James Tucker I am looking for.
"No I don't think you will be finding that James Tucker anywhere round these parts" Buford laughed as he waved at his little brother, farting and laughing, back home for good, never leaving and never getting too highfalutin ever again.