A Planet In The Middle Of Nowhere Book 1

by DRK

Mita brooded in her small room. She fretted over the way her vacation was going so far. She didn't mind the small hotel unit- although practically a flophouse, this hotel, it was the only affordable one. She knew Osmo's place at the Hope Hotel must be a lot larger, and with better lavatory facilities. At least, she felt certain, he did not share a bathroom with other tourists. His father had money, hers didn't. (She did not know the governor paid for Osmo's bill.) Money held no special awe for her. However, she recognized its need to meet her basic needs. She worried she wasted what money she had- money she really couldn't afford to waste- on this trip which appeared headed for destination: disappointment.

  Why did Osmo let other girl cling all over him? And why were his eyes blind to all of Mita's assets? What was wrong with Mita, anyway, or maybe the question was, what was wrong with Osmo. Did he fear an intelligent, honest, down-to-earth woman? Someone who believed in commitment, in making her man happy? Maybe he feared her because she was such a responsible person.

  She fluffed her pillow, little good that it did; no way Mita was going to sleep tonight! She had to figure out what to do. This Sheila might be more shapely and prettier than Mita, but in the end, Osmo would realize Mita is the keeper. She had to figure out how to make him realize this.

  Mita wasn't the only one unable to sleep.

  At the Governor's House, in the guest suite, as X-9 patiently awaited for any commands standing outside the door, in the bedroom, George McCleer tossed and turned on the bed. Finally, he sat up and turned on the bedside lamp.

  "Hon, I really need some sleep," Nina begged.

  "Can't help it, Nina. That Xavier burns me up. Who does he think he is, practically hitting on my wife right in front of my face?!"

  She tried to calm him down, rubbing his shoulders. "Oh, now, George, you know how our old friend Xavier is. There's nothing new there. That's just the way he is. He always was, always will be. Don't take him too seriously."

  "True, he always was a big conceited nitwit who thought nothing of sweet-talking another man's woman," George acknowledged. "I guess that's too bad. He's still the same, he never matured. No, he isn't the same. His ego is even larger than before, something I never thought possible. Or did I say that already? If I weren't here on official business, I'd smack him upside the head! Oh, and just for the record, he wasn't our friend; he was your friend."

  Nina hugged her husband. "Ah ah, dear, I thought you wanted to visit church here tomorrow. You aren't going with all that violence in your heart, are you?"

  He grunted. "Well, isn't there such a thing as righteous indignation?"

  "Why, George, I do believe you are jealous!"

  "Huh? Of Xavier? You've got to be kidding me."

  "Well," Nina confessed,"it is flattering, the attention he gives me. And he didn't lose any of his charms, that's for sure-"

  "All right, knock it off." George cut her off from anymore talk with a giant kiss, making any more conversation impossible. Instead of resisting, she answered back with her own kiss, and outside the door, X-9, even though only a robot, but with good hearing, realized Mr. and Mrs. McCleer wouldn't be needing any help from him tonight.

  Meanwhile, Xavier, still in the dining room on the ground floor, never even tried to sleep this night. The hour was late, but instead of rest, he sat and thought and pondered. Sheila interrupted his musings when she got back from her time with Osmo and his friends.

  "Oh, Uncle, I must report good tidings to you," she announced.

  He gave her his full attention, shoving aside those other matters in his mind. He awaited expectantly. "What is it? Don't tell me he already asked you to marry him? Then I know Gunther Martin will make sure we on the planet Hope finally have everything we really need."

  "Oh, you!" she giggled. "Not yet, but I am sure he must be in love with me by now." She kept the part about the kiss to herself.

  Xavier nodded. "He'd be a fool if he wasn't! I appreciate you doing all you can for our world. I know you try very hard to help me, as had your mother. She helped me run this place like clockwork. You have been a much appreciated help for me, indeed, but I don't know if anyone can ever replace Selina. I hope you take no offense when I tell you this. I wish I found someone so qualified as to be my vice-governor. Incidentally, while you are a very big help, you're too young, I want you to know, for the job, just in case you were hoping for the spot."

  She wrinkled up her face. "As if I want to settle down into such a boring job already at my age! I can't be tied down yet- too much to do, too much fun to have, you know, Uncle"

  "I do know," he said. "I was once young. I remember the joy of youth. I also remember the frustrations... But that's another story."

  Sheila asked, "What about Security Leader Clyden? He seems to be very helpful and always at your service."

  "I thought you didn't like him."

  "I don't," she said. "We don't mix very well at all. But he seems to respect you, and to be always conscious of how he can make your administration look good with the citizens, or at least, he seeks to make sure the citizens also respect you, as much as he does. If you will have an easier time, making him you second-in-command, Uncle, then I am all for it, as long as it takes some of the strain off you. Pardon my saying so, but it looks like you should follow the example of the tourists, and take a break for yourself sometimes."

  Xavier, touched by her concern, replied, "You indeed are your mother's daughter. That's very noble of you to say such a thing. Maybe Clyden is somebody worth considering... There is no problem of which he is unwilling to be help me solve. However, honestly, can you see him in such a high office? Look how professional he looks in his current position."

  "He is very loyal. I am happy you have someone like that working for you, Uncle. A great man like you deserves loyal followers."

  He reflected on her words. "Thank you, Sheila. Now, I must once more ask a favor of you. Tomorrow I must go to church with the McCleers. You don't remember them, but they are somewhat religious. I don't have the luxury of time for that. And it's not really something I care to find time for. But tomorrow I will at least make an appearance with them. It looks good. I would appreciate it if you join me."

  "Of course, if you want me to come. I will stop over at the hotel in the morning before service and let Osmo know. We will just put off our visit to the beach until the afternoon."

  "Why stop over at his hotel? They have phones at the Hope Hotel."

  "No, I think I will stop over, Uncle, if it is okay with you."

  Xavier raised an eyebrow at that. He nodded his consent, saying nothing.

  Early Sunday morning. Mita hopped out of bed, a plan in her mind. She quickly dressed and made a small breakfast, which she then proceeded to pack in a traveling bag.

  Well, I thought about it all night, Osmo, and I finally realize that you like a lively, assertive woman. Well, meet the new Mita. I will no longer hide in the shadows. Watch out, sweetie, it's hunting season!

  Mita took a cab to Osmo's hotel. She had heard Osmo and Albert discuss their rooms while she sat at the Tourist Trap with them, and one of them had mentioned the room numbers, so she knew where to go.

  As the elevator carried her up to the fourth floor, Mita began to have second thoughts. What if she got the wrong room? What if Osmo already left to meet her competition? What if- no, stop it, girl! That fretting and worrying was the old Mita. But you are the new, confident Mita!

  Mita located D28 and marched right up to the door. Without a moment's hesitation, she held the bag of breakfast in one hand and rapped on the door with the other. She held her breath in excitement as she heard someone moving toward the door. As it opened, Mita blurted out, "Surprise! I made you breakfast!"

  "Why, um, thank you, Mita." Sheila had been the one to answer the door. "Osmo, look, your friend is here-"

  Mita gasped, speechless.

  Osmo forced a welcoming smile on his face. "Oh, hi, Mita, that was very nice of you. Thanks. Come on in-"

  "Um, um, no, I can't
stay," Mita sputtered, her cheeks on fire. "I, uh, just dropped off breakfast because um, Jane and I are planning a breakfast of our own, and we didn't want you to go hungry-"

  "What?" Osmo, bewildered, asked, "You mean she and Albert didn't go to chuch today? I thought we were supposed to meet afterward at the beach-"

  Mita, wishing she could be back on Earth in her comfortable bed right about now, with much fluster answered, "Um, well, what about that- I can't stay, late for an appointment, gotta go-" and she did and was gone.

  Sheila shook her head, then shrugged. "What was that all about?"

  Confused, Osmo also shrugged. "I have no idea. I never could figure out that Mita."

  State Church