by Terry Lee
“George, you really should stop teasing this poor woman,” Mary reprimanded.
A familiar wisecrack grin spread across George’s face. “Whatever do you mean?”
Mary shook her head. “Is there something you needed?”
Ruby took advantage of attention diverted elsewhere. She forced a handful of wayward hair behind her ear and twisted her work-shirt back in place.
“Free for lunch?” He buried his hands into wrinkled pants pockets.
“Of course.” Mary smiled. “I’ll join you shortly.”
George nodded and opened the door.
Mary turned back to Ruby. “You were saying?”
Ruby waited for the door to close behind the elder Council member. She took a step toward the white desk. “Mr. George makes me nervous,” she whispered. “There’s not even a game today.”
“It’s just his way,” Mary dismissed, studying her built-in desk screen. “Shall we continue with Quinlan?”
Ruby stepped back, putting distance between her and the Ice Princess. “Let’s see. She’s….” Her tongue searched her mouth. Alarmed, she dropped to her knees, combing the white carpet.
“What’s wrong now?”
“I’ve lost my—”
“Your chewing substance?”
Ruby gulped. “Yes ma’am.”
“And you believe it to be on the carpet?” A look of mild distress crossed Mary’s face. She rose and panned the floor area.
Ruby straightened and smiled sheepishly, displaying a row of small white teeth. “No worries, Boss. Carpet’s clean,” she announced. “Guess I swallowed it.”
Mary touched her forehead and took her seat. She glanced once again at the desk screen. “Continue please.”
“Okay,” Ruby said, breathing in relief at not having to scrape gum off the Ice Princess’s carpet. She tucked the fluorescent spiral in her back pocket. “Let’s see. She’s at the library a lot; hauls a ton of books home too, I can tell ya.” Ruby ran chubby fingers through thin hair. “Her garden in Meghan’s backyard? Doin’ great.” She crossed her arms and nodded her head. “Next year she’s gonna grow me some—” Ruby stopped, seeing impatience in Mary’s eyes. “Cucumbers.”
“Is that all?”
“Yep.” Ruby rolled her tongue around, not finding anything to smack. “That’s about it, Boss.”
Mary tapped a slender finger on her desk. “I think we should call George in for a consultation. I’d like you to be here at two o’clock tomorrow afternoon.”
“Tomorrow? With Mr. George?”
Mary nodded.
“Yes ma’am.” Ruby’s shoulders dropped like a little kid in detention.
“That’s all.”
Half saluting the Ice Princess, Ruby shuffled toward the door. Her hand touched the doorknob when Mary spoke again.
“Oh, one more thing,” Mary said. “My report says Quinlan has used her Celestial Internet card quite frequently. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
Ruby’s hand froze around the cool, crystal knob. “Her CI card?” She swallowed hard, wondering if the lump in her throat was Juicy Fruit coming back up. “Uh, no ma’am. Can’t say I do.” Her heart thundered in her chest. She could feel Mary’s ice-cold eyes on her back.
“Are you sure, Ruby?”
The beads of nervous perspiration lining her forehead had now burst, sending ferocious streams of sweat pouring down her face. She pried her hand from the doorknob one finger at a time. Face wet and flushed, lower lip trembling, she turned slowly to face Mary head on. Ruby dropped to her knees, clenching hands above her head.
“Forgive me Boss.” Ruby sobbed. “I thought I’d just give her a little sneaky-peak. I didn’t know she’d go ballistic. I tried to get her to stop her, honest I did—”
“Ru-u-u-by.” Mary’s voice, even but firm, stopped the babbling. “Take a breath and get up off the floor, please.”
Obediently, Ruby stood, her insides feeling like Jell-O.
“Now sit.” A manicured fingernail pointed to a chair.
Cautious of the chairs on wheels, Ruby used both arms to secure herself before slumping into the nearest one. “Are you demoting me?” If she lost her position, she’d have to start on ground level. And goodbye to following the White Sox.
Mary’s composure never wavered. “We’ll discuss that later.”
Ruby stared at her hands. Geez, what have I done?
“Would you like to tell me about the situation or wait for George?” Mary questioned. “Your choice.”
Ruby dropped her head in her hands. “Choices,” she moaned. “It’s all about choices, isn’t it?”
“You might say that.” Mary voice calm.
Ruby fished around in her cargo pants and pulled out a handkerchief. She mopped her face, blew her nose and then shoved the swatch back in her pocket. She raised her eyes to meet Mary’s poised face, her own feeling blotchy. She took a deep breath and decided this had to be better than facing Mr. George. Deep breath. “Okay…I’ll talk.”
“Wise.” Mary folded her hands in her lap. “Begin when you’re ready.”
“Well.” Ruby rubbed her chin. “It was the last day of her orientation class. I was off-duty and went to the library to check on the…on the….” Ruby squirmed.
“On the what, Ruby?”
Ruby coughed and rubbed her mouth, trying to muffle her words. “White Sox.” She dropped her head.
“Hmm. I see.” Mary typed a quick note on her screen pad. “Continue, please.”
Ruby’s eyes fixated on Mary’s clicking fingernails moving swiftly across the screen. “I’m cooked, aren’t I?”
Mary shushed her. “Don’t be silly. Go on.”
Ruby gulped, her eyes frozen on the screen.
“Ru-u-u-by.”
Ruby snapped back to attention. “Here’s the thing Boss. Quinlan kinda snuck up on me and saw I was on the Earth homepage. She asked a bunch of questions.” Ruby fidgeted. “I thought she was just curious…said something about recipes.” Ruby scratched her head. “Or crossword puzzles.”
Mary nodded, clicking another notation.
“So-o-o-o, I kinda, maybe, showed her how to use her CI card.”
“And you explained the rules?”
“Uh-huh.”
“All of them?”
Ruby nodded.
“You told her she needed clearance to access the Earth homepage,” Mary said flatly.
“Yes ma’am. I did tell her that. Scouts honor.” Ruby held up three fingers. “You know ma’am, Quinlan’s tricky. Just the other day—”
“So, you granted the clearance.” More clicks on the screen. “Thank you for your time, Ruby.”
Ruby opened her mouth to say something else.
“That’s all.” Mary dismissed Ruby as if shooing a fly.
The finality of Mary’s words hit Ruby like a runner smacking into the catcher at home plate. She stood, shoulders sagging and proceeded to the door.
“Two o’clock,” Mary reminded.
“I still have to meet with Mr. George?” Ruby turned her big brown puppy-dog eyes on Mary. “But I thought—“
“She’s your assignment, Ruby. You have to be here.” Mary touched a button and the desk screen switched to a silver and gold 3-D hologram, swirling around a pristine white background.
“Yes ma’am.” Ruby dropped the blue glasses onto her nose and opened the door. “I’m cooked.”
CHAPTER 18
RUBY AND MARY
She checked her watch…1:58. Ruby blew a Juicy Fruit bubble and knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Mary said.
Ruby entered to find George, Albert, Maggie and Mary gathered around a small conference table. Panic struck. “Am I late?”
“No dear. You’re right on time.”
Mary’s reassuring smile did zilch for Ruby’s nerves.
“Please….” Mary’s arm waved to the empty chair between her and George. “Have a seat.”
Eying th
e set-up, Ruby mentally cracked her knuckles, refrained from another Juicy Fruit moment and sat. She looked around the table and greeted the group. “Hey Mr. George, Al, Maggs, ma’am.”
Each nodded at their name.
“I asked the others to come so we can gather all the facts,” Mary explained. “I’ve relayed what you shared yesterday. I hope you don’t mind.”
Ruby dropped her eyes. “No ma’am.” Good news: she didn’t have to personally spill the beans about the breached protocol in front of Mr. George. Bad news: everyone knew she’d screwed up.
“Very well.” Mary turned in her chair. “Albert? Would you care to start?”
Albert squirmed in his chair. “I did the Q & A after her arrival. It was a busy day.” Albert paused to clear his throat. “I can’t say I noticed much out of the ordinary.”
“And since that time?” Mary asked.
“I’ve seen her a couple of times at the library.” Albert crossed and uncrossed his arms.
“And was she on-line?” Mary asked.
“Yes ma’am,” he said.
“Did you find that odd?”
Albert shrugged. “I figured she had clearance. I try to keep my nose to myself. I mean…mind my own nose. Business!” he spurt forth, tugging at his collar.
George smiled, as did Maggie.
“I see,” said Mary. “Anything else?”
Albert’s eyes searched the ceiling for answers. “No-o-o-o…oh, wait. I did hold the door for her one time. She had some really big books. I asked if she needed help. She said she could handle it.”
“Thank you Albert.” Mary nodded, signing Albert off.
“No problem.” Albert sunk back in his seat and blew out relief.
“Maggie?” Mary asked. “You assisted Quinlan through the Veils of Self-Deception procedure?”
“I did.” Maggie’s English accent drifted through the room like piped-in Muzak.
“And how did that go?” Mary followed.
Maggie shot a brief glance between Ruby and Albert, then George and Mary. “Uh…she appeared rather nervous straight from the get-go. I talked to her a bit before the procedure. You know, to help her relax.”
“Did that help?” Mary asked.
Click. Click-click-click. The noise sounded like tap shoes on a stage.
Maggie glanced down. The clicking stopped. She cleared her throat. “Not much.”
“After orientation,” Mary continued, “she was in your “Bigger Picture” class?”
“That she was,” Maggie said.
“And?” Mary asked.
Click-click. Click, click, click.
“What is that?” Maggie pushed her chair back to look under the table. Albert and Ruby followed.
The clicking stopped.
Maggie continued. “She seemed to have difficulty staying awake. I wonder if she might have trouble getting proper rest.”
Attention shifted to Ruby.
“What?” Ruby tried deflecting the question with some squirming. It didn’t work. She popped her gum. Oops. “Sorry.”
“Does Quinlan have sleep issues?” Mary asked.
“No…I mean, I don’t know. Should I? I just do what I’m told…well, most of the time. I have to keep up with her sleeping too?” Ruby’s voice approached panic as she pulled out her psychedelic notebook to scribble a note.
“Calm down. As you know, we don’t accuse or judge. We’re merely trying to gather facts.” Mary paused, Ruby inhaled. “Is there anything else that may be of importance to this matter?”
Once again, all eyes focused on the woman sporting blue-tinted sunglasses.
“No ma’am.” Ruby looked down and moved her gum to the other cheek. “I don’t think so.” She fiddled with the bottom edge of her work shirt. “We talk a couple of times a week, that’s all.”
“Cell phone?”
“Yeah, mostly.” Ruby’s eyes moved back to the table.
“And who initiates the calls?” Mary shifted in her chair.
“She does.”
“Why does she call?”
“She has questions.” Ruby hesitant, fearful something spilling from her mouth could get her in more trouble.
“Such as?” Mary asked.
“Oh, I don’t know. Let me think.” Ruby ran her fingers across her forehead. She scratched her nose. “Once she asked how we get back. You know…what’s the procedure.”
Click-click…click, click-click, click.
Mary and George exchanged glances.
Mary leaned forward. “To Earth?”
Ruby rubbed her palms down her pants. “Yes ma’am.”
Click. Click-click-click.
Maggie threw her hands up. “What is that bloody noise?”
Mary wave-dismissed Maggie. “Workers downstairs. It’s nothing.” She turned back to Ruby. “Why do you suppose she asked that?”
“She said it was some extra credit for her major.” Ruby nearly swallowed her Juicy Fruit, the lameness of Quinlan’s excuse registering. Extra credit? Yeah, right.
“Quinlan’s major, Where Do We Go From Here,” Mary informed the others. “Correct?”
Click. Click. Click.
“Yes ma’am,” Ruby answered.
“I see.” Mary made a notation on her electronic notebook. “I think that’s all. Albert and Ruby, thank you for your time.” Mary smiled kindly at the two younger people. “You may go.”
Albert nodded, pushing back his chair.
Ruby stood and hovered over the table. “Excuse me?”
“Yes?” Mary answered. George and Maggie leaned in.
“Am I in trouble? I mean…is this going on my record?”
“Is what going on your record?” Mary asked.
“You know. Showing her….” Ruby’s voice drifted off into silence. Way to go, Rubes. Keep your trap shut. “Nothing. Forget it.”
“Everything will work out for the best, my dear. Trust the process.” Mary offered Ruby her Queen for a Day smile.
Ruby gave a slow nod and exited the white office with Albert.
~~~
Once the door closed, Mary turned to Maggie. “I feel you had more to say, my dear.”
“I did.” Maggie straightened herself in the chair. “I felt it unwise to discuss such matters in front of the youngsters.”
“I understand,” Mary stated, grateful for Maggie’s discretion. “Please. Tell us what you know.”
“It was the self-deception procedure,” Maggie said. “She stayed in the chamber for the standard hour, but the meter box hardly moved a bloody notch.” Maggie raised her hesitant eyes. “So, I set it for an additional hour.”
Click, click, click…click.
“Go on.” One of Mary’s eyebrows inched upward. She licked her lips, an unsettling feeling moving through her.
“She only completed forty-eight percent of the process,” Maggie said.
Mary’s hand touched the flutter in her chest. “Two full hours and only forty-eight percent?”
“My thoughts precisely,” Maggie said. “I dare not let her stay in a moment longer.”
Click, click.
“I’m sure you did the right thing.” Mary’s fingers tapped her forehead in agitation, and then swept her hand over her perfectly smoothed hair. Forty-eight percent echoed through her being. “And the E-C chamber?”
“The bottom four energy centers cleared. The top three remained completely blocked.”
“Yes, I seem to recall her telling me something along those lines.” Mary fanned herself. Her heart rate elevated, an unusual occurrence.
George sat, his hand across his mouth. He had yet to utter a word.
Maggie hesitated a moment before she spoke. “I do believe she’s holding on too tight.”
“To what?” Mary leaned forward, continuing with the hand-fan.
“Her daughter.” Maggie looked thoughtful. “She doesn’t believe her daughter can survive without her.”
“You’ve talked to her about this?”
; “Not exactly,” Maggie said. “I listen. She’s rather chatty about the topic. Every conversation we’ve had centers around her daughter. Actually, that’s all she talks about, now that I think of it. Quite obsessive about the girl, she is.”
Click, click, click.
“Do you believe her daughter to be helpless as Quinlan portrays?” Mary forced herself to focus on Maggie. George’s silence unnerved her. What was he thinking?
Maggie only smiled.
“As I thought.” She valued Maggie’s observation skills. And at this point, pertinent details were vital to Quinlan’s assessment. Mary tried sitting back in her chair. Her spine refused to cooperate.
Click-click. Click, click...click.
“I must excuse myself,” Maggie said. “That racket is unbearable.”
“Thank you for your input. It’s been most helpful. And I do apologize for the distraction downstairs,” Mary said. “I trust you will keep us updated with any further developments?”
“Of course,” Maggie offered. “Quinlan is lovely, though her need to control her daughter seems to be quite deep-seated.” She walked around the table. “Too bad humans don’t come with a reset button; would make my job much simpler.” She stooped to give Mary a quick hug, then extended her hand to George. “It’s been way too long, my friend.”
George took Maggie’s hand and shared his crooked smile. “It has.”
Maggie left the room. Mary and George sat in silence.
“I’ve gathered the records from the library.” Mary’s eyes rounded as she addressed George. “She’s checked out every conceivable book on making the return trip.” She tapped the screen on her notepad. “Her on-line usage is…well, it’s preposterous.” She couldn’t stand George’s silence a moment longer. Nervousness, a new sensation, had her feeling rather, oh what’s the word…uncomfortable. “Tell me, what do you suggest?”
George seemed to enjoy rattling Mary’s nerves. “It’s only a matter of time before she asks to go back,” George said. “And when she does….” George slapped the table. “We let her go.”
CLICK-CLICK. CLICK-CLICK-CLICK.
“I beg your pardon. Did you say we let her go?”
“Nervous?” George asked.
Mary moved her hands to her knees to stop her heels from clacking together. Busted.
“Did you say we let her go?” Mary repeated, fighting to regain her composure.