The Doorkeeper's Mind

by E. L. Morrow

  Attending the Memorial service and spending time with each of the kidnap victims occupies much of Marie’s energy. Expressing concern for others helps her regain a sense of equilibrium.

  Rudy and his comrades identify the four sites where counselors sent reports about those with unusual abilities. Seven arrests are made in four countries, and the Counseling Services order number 12 has been rescinded.

  As expected all links to The General are inconclusive. From what Rudy’s colleagues learned, eleven suspected HMP offspring were murdered over about 14 years. Early on we feared that number could be much higher. Checking the information against the reconstructed files provided by Phillip and Marie’s birth mother will identify some specifics.

  Rudy and Allison plan to spend Thanksgiving weekend in Wichita. Marie knows she will have visitors as well: Abraham Norris, Detectives 23 and 93, plus Vivi, and likely Wessel.

  When days are filled with activity, they seem to pass quickly. Marie’s days are overfilled. Daily and weekly sessions include keeping up with WEEL, meeting with Dr. Samuel on Stop-the-Lies organizing, counseling sessions, and conversations with Lexie. Besides, she writes blogs, reads all the Raven’s Nest minutes from its beginning, and plans for the “Phillip PA” production facility. Plus 50 hours of Doorkeeper’s work, practicing her unique skills, getting to the fitness center, and sleep.

  So, it was not surprising when Marie noticed on Monday, November 22nd that Thanksgiving was only three days away. Expecting at least six guests for the holiday dinner, Marie begins preparing. Finally, something ordinary to think about—dinner for guests.

  The holiday weekend is filled with activity. Marie hosts two different events: one at noon Thanksgiving Day, the other at 2:00 pm Friday. There are 15 different people, some more than once.

  Vivi combines her Friday gathering with Marie’s, adding Vivi’s two nephews, Keith and Brandon, and their lady friends, Sharon and Alangro. Fenton J, Detective 23, brought his mate, who has been “dying to meet Marie,” and Wessel brought his significant other, Security 17, Dave. Of course, Allison, Rudy, Dr. Norris, and Danzella attended both gatherings.

  To the surprise of everyone except Marie, Dave arrives wearing a leopard suit and a sign reading I’m a spotted undercover cop. Dave explains that he had boasted to Marie, “Our guys will be guarding anytime you leave your home, but you will never see them. She said she would detect us, and I guess she got lucky.”

  Marie askes, “You want to tell them how many times I ‘got lucky’?”

  “Five times.” Everyone laughs.

  Rudy says, “I taught her how to avoid surveillance. I would have been disappointed if she hadn’t found your guys.”

  Danzella adds, “She saw me, and I’m CIA trained.”

  Marie says, “I don’t remember telling you that I spotted you while walking to WEEL that first morning.”

  “You didn’t tell me. But you mentioned it to Dr. Throne that evening. I happened to be testing my ability to penetrate her audio dead zone, at the moment you told her.”

  The meal was Marie’s lasagna, leftover turkey and dressing, etc.

  After the four young people left, to do whatever college students do on a holiday weekend, Wessel comments, “Everyone here is committed to the Stop-the-Lies campaign.” Seizing the moment, the remainder of the afternoon becomes a strategy session for the movement’s next steps. Pastor Sam is invited for dessert, but prior commitments only allow him to join in the last 30 minutes of conversation. The topic: grassroot efforts to support The Plan.

  As Marie prepares for sleep Friday evening, she reflects.

  What a gift this weekend has been. All my friends—true friends were here. I vow never to let my guard down again, but with these people around, I can at least take an at ease moment. Time with Mother was refreshing. She seems excited about how close they are to a breakthrough in the clambering viruses research. She also shared the rest of the results from my testing. She finally accepts that I can do these things with energy and thought patterns. I will hate to see her go in the morning.

  Twenty-Seven

  Apprentice Arrives

  Alexia Lane arrives on Tuesday, December 7th, at mid-afternoon. Her home will not be ready for occupancy until the following Monday. Therefore, she will live and work at 36 Jasmine Court for six days.

  Ever the gracious hostess, Marie provides coffee, juice, snacks and a tray of veggies ready for the newcomer. After a few moments, it’s down to business.

  “Lexie, you will sleep on the couch. Your personal items were delivered by Central Services and are stored in the extra chest in the living area. You may dress in the living area, or bathroom. I shower in the evening, you can take the mornings, or we can work out an evening schedule.”

  “Morning is fine with me.”

  “Perhaps not, when you realize morning starts here at 4:30 with breakfast and we must be ready for work and to receive guests before five.”

  “Guests? What guests?”

  “Joggers. We regularly serve 12 to 15 per day. When the curiosity factor is high, like when the word gets around about the beautiful young apprentice, our number will go to a steady 25. We offer coffee, tea, juices, and water plus pit stop privileges. After tomorrow it will be your responsibility to prepare for them. It’s a great way to meet some sector residents. Some will come from outside the sector to ‘jog with a friend’ and meet you.”

  “Why me? I’m nothing special.”

  “Keep thinking that as long as you can. But to everyone other than you and me and a dozen people you will meet soon, you are a curiosity because I chose you. You will be given the third degree, gently, of course, to find out how you knew me. What you did to get this job? And what your secrets are.”

  “Friend, my Automated Personal Assistant, will identify every person before they enter and whether they are sector residents or not. Should any unsavory characters attempt to enter with the morning crowd, she will tell you, inform security and lock the door unless they are inside already. They’ve never tried that tactic, but we’re ready.”

  “You are serious about this security, aren’t you?”

  “Are you surprised? I couldn’t tell you during our regular talks because we needed to keep the information close. We’re trying to arrest as many of the perpetrators as possible. We still must protect the information, only now you’re in the loop. Since you accepted this role, there were two attempts on my life.”

  “Oh my God, what happened?”

  The next hour is spent with Marie and Friend telling Lexie what had occurred. While Marie handles doors, the PA continues the detail seamlessly. The importance of secrecy is emphasized.

  Danzella joins Keeper and Apprentice for a light evening meal. The role of the Private Security Officer in protecting WEEL, Marie, and Alexia is clarified.

  Danzella says, “My responsibility is first to protect Marie, then you, then anyone including the robots at WEEL. Neither of you goes anywhere without security protection—mostly passive, but if you leave the Wichita shelter, I must set up protection for you, and anyone who is with you. The more lead time I have, the better.”

  After their meal, Marie tests Lexie on the security camera for the sector and how to activate a camera to follow those who leave the sector.

  Marie shows both Danzella and Lexie how to open a locked SOG using cameras, electronic, communicator or portalock connections. “By using this process, I was able to confuse an assailant long enough for him to lose track of his weapon. It’s no longer taught and may not work everywhere or every time. I’ve used it here successfully, twice. One more tool for our work, but we need to keep it confidential.”

  “How did you find out?”

  “I discovered it in an expanded supplemental reading list. When I asked my professor to explain, the article had changed, omitting the reference to this process. Very few of us know about this. We must keep it that way.”

  The next morning, December 8th, aft
er the joggers, Lexie attends an appointment with Supervisors. The Supervisory role, Marie’s place in the chain of command, and required reports are clarified.

  Back at DK-86, Marie checks her out on the console and demonstrates the extra security installed by Rudy and how to access it. Lexie’s Activation to the console is scheduled for 2:30 pm.

  When a Doorkeeper or Apprentice assumes a new sector, they must be Activated. The process involves placing a small static charge between layers of skin. Each location has a slightly different frequency, matching the frequency of one of the 300-plus doors in the sector. Once a Keeper is activated, they become a walking antenna for their sector’s doors, while inside the sheltered city and wearing their Portalock, short for Portable-Actionable-Locater-Device. The hotdog shaped device is smooth on the back, with raised and indented symbols on the front. The flat side rests against the skin, just below the collarbone. Once activated, a capable Doorkeeper using a Protalock and a communicator can accomplish the same tasks they could while sitting at their console.

  Rowena, the Activation Specialist, arrives with a student, Claersia. Having completed the required “chem-shower” with air-dry, the Apprentice reports to the Activation Closet wearing only a robe, which is immediately removed.

  She is nervous about being naked in front of us. I’m surprised. She’s sexually active; does that always happen in the dark? She has no reason to be embarrassed. She is trim and well proportioned. She’s bashful.

  The set up takes longer than usual. This is the student’s first time to secure the canvas drape with plastic wrap—making sure there is skin contact for each of the points representing doors. Rowena oversees, requiring corrections when the connection is questionable.

  Lexie’s anxiety is growing higher with each inadvertent touch. She’s jumpy and having a hard time staying still. I can easily read her energy pattern. Potential problems as we progress.

  To Lexie, Claerisa says, “We are ready to begin the activation. You will feel a tingling sensation as each door is activated. Each one will last from three to five seconds. Several will activate at the same time. If it gets to be too much, tell me. We can reduce the number. You need to remain completely still. Any questions?”

  “How long will it take?”

  “That depends on how many we can do at once, but generally about an hour.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  Lexie is near a panic attack with fear. Hopefully, she’ll calm down.

  A sharp intake of breath accompanies the start, followed by, “Oh … ouch … ah … oh, God….”

  The student pauses and turns to Rowena, “The process is causing her pain. What am I doing wrong?”

  Marie interrupts, “For a moment let me try something.”

  Rowena asks, “What do you have in mind?”

  “A relaxation technique. I can show easier than explaining.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “Lexie, try this—close your eyes and take a slow deep breath … fill the bottom of your lungs first … hold for three seconds … now let it out slowly through your mouth. Keep your eyes closed; breathe normally for a moment…. Now take another deep breath, but this time envision drawing in energy and warmth … hold again … as you exhale send out discomfort and anxiety …. One more time … breathe in confidence and energy … breathe out fear and embarrassment.”

  After following Marie’s instructions, Lexie’s face appears serene and relaxed. Claerisa resumes and completes the process without further incident.

  “Where did you learn that?” Rowena asks Marie.

  “I meditate most days since age two. Comes in handy.”

  The final step is for Lexie to be confirmed by the console’s protections, as a valid Doorkeeper for this sector. First, everything is shut down. Then with Marie out of the room, the activation specialist sets the controls to accept Lexie’s identification as an operator. Reactivation is scheduled for one week.

  The activation complete, a secondary portalock needs to be added to the console. Having checked the protocol for “Portable-Actionable-Locating-Device Synchronization with Doorkeeper’s Console,” Marie instructs Lexie as they move through the necessary steps.

  When complete, Marie says, “Your device is the steel-blue color whereas the primary is platinum gray. Wear it when you’re awake and out of this apartment, including after you move next door. The more you wear it, the less Reactivation will be required. If I’m using mine, you will not be able to connect, unless I add yours in—I’ll do that if the situation needs two of us. The same is true for you; if you request Supervisor it adds me in as well.”

  Twenty-Eight

  Lexie’s Journal

  Marie insists I start journaling again. I did it when required in college and some courses in DK School. I’ve never found the process particularly helpful.

  Today, December 8th, I spent a couple of hours on the console. There is a lot to learn. Mostly, who are the people in the sector, supervisors, and others I will see on a regular basis. Marie was helpful when I had so much pain with the activation. She told me to take some deep breaths and think about specific things. I don’t know how she knew that would help, but it did.

  Tomorrow, I must prepare the morning refreshments and open the console for the day. Must try to sleep. I’m so excited to be here.

  December 13, Monday evening. Marie said my journal will never be read unless I decide to share it. I trust she will keep her word, so I’ll say what is on my mind. I doubt I can last three years. She is extremely demanding. After almost every encounter she tells me how I could have done better. What questions I should’ve ask to ascertain if the client is ill, suicidal, unhappy with their job, experiencing problems in a relationship, or almost anything else.

  She thinks she is so much smarter than everyone else. I don’t want to hate or resent her, but I feel like a child being punished every time she speaks. Something’s got to change.

  The sector members, well, everyone is friendly, but many seem disappointed that I’m not Marie. About a third of the people ask about her. Our standard answer is “I’m her apprentice because she is traveling a lot.”

  The only person I know here my age is Marie. No younger people come in for a jogging break. Even if there were I’m so busy then, I can hardly catch some names, much less enter into a conversation.

  Most frustrating of all—because my work schedule is so far unknowable, I can’t plan what little part of my life I have left. I asked her about my schedule, and she said she’d let me know when she does.

  December 14. I take back everything bad I said about Marie. She showed me her report on my first partial week. It was glowing. Her only criticism is I need to look for the bigger picture of the client’s issues. But she says it will come in time. I asked what she means; she says it’s about the things I could ask as follow-up.

  She knocked the wind out of me when she told me “I suggest things about individuals because I know them better than you do. However, two months from now, you will know them better than I do.”

  I learned also her distance is contrived. Part of the Mentor’s guide: ‘establish your authority early on. You can loosen up later, but you can never tighten up.’ Then I learned Marie is being judged on how well she mentors me. Everyone has oversight, but I never thought about someone like her being scrutinized about a relationship with a mentee.

  Finally, we talked about schedules. Marie is more frustrated than I am about them. She can no longer fly commercial since the enemies are watching for her to travel. There’s been a problem locating a plane she can use.

  To test the threat, Security put in a reservation for her, and three assassins boarded the flight. Of course, she was never going to be on that flight, and the killers were arrested before the plane left the gate.

  It’s exciting, and a bit frightening to be here.

  Twenty-Nine

  Doing Some Good Work

  Toronto

  2094-12-16
& 17

  Back at WEEL, Marie is brought up to speed. The daily reports keep her in the loop, but nothing replaces being on site. This is especially true for someone like Marie, who hears beyond the spoken words to what someone may be trying not to say.

  She is pleased with the progress and what she hears. For the most part, the regular reports are adequate. No one is trying to deceive. There are a few instances of exaggerated expectations, but under gentle questioning, they clarify the projection more accurately than mere numbers.

  As the day concludes, Marie again expresses gratitude for Phillip’s choices of key leaders for the operation.

  Needed is a Chief Operations Officer for Ro-Pro-Now, the facility to build and repair the robots required to operate WEEL. While all proceeds from making the compact kitchens are intended to benefit Door Services, Phillip made it abundantly clear; there is to be no weaponization of these products. Therefore, he made Marie sole owner of the robot facility. It will be ready for initialization on January 3, 2095.

  The list of potential COO candidates has been narrowed to eight. Marie will conduct the initial interviews on Friday, 12-17, with follow-ups if needed over the next three days.

  The interviews are scheduled four in the morning, an hour and a half for lunch, then four in the afternoon. The ideal candidate will demonstrate both a working knowledge of the hardware of robotics and the Digital Directives operations of production. Troubleshooting ability is essential.

  All candidates were vetted by Danzella and friends, as well as Toronto Security Services and Door Services internal assurance units. Resumes are checked for accuracy, and a background search is conducted as well.