Seymore's Interlude

by Franci Neale

  Chapter 33

  Recognition

  Geralty changed his mind about the atrium and decided to have the celebration at the new pergola. The wisteria had bloomed and he moved the table to sit directly beneath it. From the stone patio it was easy to see the cottage, the big dome, down the meadow and the Beach House at the shore. He was ready and decided to tell everyone that they could gather as soon as they were free. He found Jesmond in her room and she immediately took his hand to go with him to find Seymore and Mesa.

  They were sitting out on the bench looking out over the pond and Seymore was saying he was thinking about making the pond larger and adding a canoe. Mesa didn’t know what a canoe was and he had just finished his description of the ancient watercraft when Jesmond and Geralty walked up the path.

  Geralty said everything was ready for the celebration and that he had decided to have it at the new pergola. Mesa said, “Seymore was just about ready to expand the pond. Can he do that first?” Geralty said he wanted to see that and Jesmond was very excited at the prospect of seeing Seymore do some serious terraforming.

  Seymore said, “I’m thinking of moving the reeds to the other side of the pond and make more of them. Then I thought I’d put a grove of bamboo behind the boat house and along the far side of the pond including the new extension of the water. I think that having the water extend all along the far side of the dome to provide an expanse for boating with the new canoe and maybe even a small skiff. How does that sound?” Everyone seemed lost in their own thoughts about the changes and he continued, “We’ll still keep this end of the pond as our private place and where the reeds are we could put in large clumps of iris and other water plants. We could also add a big shade tree back here or maybe a group of old walnuts. We don’t have to do it all right now.” Still nobody said anything.

  “I really would like an opinion or two so please speak up.” Then Mesa said, “It sounds lovely, and I have a strong feeling that it is just the beginning of enormous change coming our way.”

  “I think you’re right Mesa,” Seymore replied, “and most of the changes will be for the better, but they will be big and possibly sudden as well. We have much to celebrate and when we are through here we can go do that. Or we can expand the lake later.”

  Mesa said, “I think I would like to wait.” And Geralty said, “Me too.” Jesmond said nothing but sensed that her excitement was now out of place.

  “In that case,” Seymore said rising, “I’m going to stop by my study and then meet you all at the pergola for the party.” He turned and walked with purpose toward the back door. The others turned and took a narrow trail that lead the long way around the cottage, behind the dome and approached the pergola from the back side. There was nothing but a field of scrub grass behind the dome and the only structures were the two old ram shackled out buildings that sat at the edge of more alder woods which in this area was thicker with lots of underbrush. They walked along in silence each with their own thoughts. Geralty was concerned that there wasn’t going to be much of a party atmosphere; everyone seemed too serious for that.

  Geralty’s plan required considerable spontaneity and he hoped that he could move the mood to something more cheerful. They were nearing the spectacular hydrangea hedge and as they rounded the dome they saw Seymore coming across the Weedy Field to meet them at the table under the wisteria. They all sat down except Geralty who stood and put the roll of drawings and a small wrapped parcel on the table. Seymore set a folder of papers near his place at the table. Geralty knew what it was.

  He began, “Seymore asked me to create a small gathering to celebrate the wonderful milestones we have reached toward realizing the goal of ES360 as well as a number of events and additions that have made life at Seymore Place richer and happier.

  “With the generous help of Mesa we have our own private Mercury band and it extends to the Beach House and Seymore’s office as well as Middle Mind and one in Valentino’s office is being added to our network. A new streaming channel from Mercury Place is now at home in my room. There have already been benefits to having this new service. I have used it extensively in communicating with Celic at Middle Mind to finish the installation of the hologram transfer system.

  “That system is the second big addition that is going to make a difference in our ability to help the light travelers. Credit for that goes to Seymore and Valentino who had help from the incredible Celic who created the design, coding and equipment.

  “But the addition that is most important is Jesmond. Each of us treasures you in our own way and I know that both Seymore and Mesa love and appreciate you. For myself, you are a joy and your intelligence and creativity are wonderful. You bring incredible gifts to Seymore Place and I am thrilled to have your company.” He stopped and looked at both Mesa and Seymore.

  Mesa spoke first, “Jesmond, I knew when I first met you at Mercury Place that you would be a perfect addition at ES360 and I was right.” She smiled and went on, “You have far exceeded what we expected of you and have generously shared your charm and many talents with us. I am very grateful and love you dearly.”

  There was a long pause before Seymore spoke and Geralty wasn’t sure that he was going to; then he said, “There are some things that happen that are so amazing and special that it is hard to put words in a good enough order to express them. In the folder I brought there is a complete outline of the methods and principles that will create the completion of ES360.The information arrived in part in a message from my brother and in many other bits and pieces as we have all worked toward our shared goal of serving the great lights and their travelers.”

  He went on to explain that without the exceptional skills and talents of Jesmond the completion would have been exceedingly difficult and might not have happened at all. Then he added, “Jesmond, your incredible ability to build a relationship with The Watcher and to begin the communication with the resident of the great light is a wonder and has made everything else fall into place. You may never know the depths of my gratitude. That you have done this with good will and joy makes it even more remarkable. Thank you and know that you are loved and admired.”

  Jesmond was so overwhelmed by the tributes to her talents and appreciation of her personally that she was unable to move or talk. Then she stood and said, “There has never been and will never be a more perfect moment for me. I am thrilled and filled up to know that I am so loved and welcome here. I love the Watcher and I love you all and am grateful for what you have given me.” She went to each of her companions and gave each a kiss on the cheek and a soft embrace.

  Shortly, Geralty turned back to his plan for the celebration. But Seymore had more to say. “I had a very important insight that was caused by the contents of the Mercury message from my brother. He sent information about the make up of the holograms that made it possible for me to fully connect everything we created, know and have suspected into a complete and workable plan for the completion of this platform. It is a moment I wasn’t always convinced would arrive, but it has and after our celebration I’ll set the completion in motion and make some assignments and outline the process of serving every light traveler as they arrive. Every part of the plan is unique and fits together so well that it is going to be extraordinarily effective. I am so proud of all of us and what we have done. It is a great achievement.

  “With a lot of help from Geralty, I have written up all the details and we will have it for a reference as we go along. I think it should be kept in the new treasure chest we have planned.” He put the folder of papers in front of Mesa and said, “I need you to read it over and review it with Jesmond so you both understand it. Please tell me any additions or changes for improvement or corrections you find.”

  Geralty said, “It is an amazing accomplishment and we are all so very lucky to be a part of it.” He picked up the small wrapped parcel and said, “I have a small gift for Jesmond. This is from all of us and we will each put a messa
ge in it for you. It is a journal for you to use to keep a record of the stories that the Watcher tells about each of the lights as they arrive and leave ES360.You are the only one who can make this incredible record and the stories will be the only thing left behind by the light riders. When this journal is full you can create a new one by running your fingers over the code inside the back cover. I have decorated the cover to match the final version of the beautiful chest you and Mesa designed. I think the stories should be kept either inside the trunk or in the cupboard.” Jesmond reached out both hands to receive the precious gift. She clutched it to her chest and her chin quivered with emotion. She unwrapped it and looked down at the beautiful cover. She materialized a beautiful pen and handed it and the book to Seymore and asked, “Will you be the first to write in it?” He said he would and wrote:

  We are grateful for your good will and kindness that has made it possible to know the stories of the light riders and thank you for making your talents and charm a part of Seymore Place forever.

  Love to you always from Seymore.

  When he was finished he handed the journal and pen to Mesa, who wrote,

  It was my lucky day when I was fortunate enough to find you and bring you home to Seymore Place. You are a joyful light with amazing talent and a kind and generous spirit.

  With love from your Mesa

  She returned the book to Jesmond who carefully rewrapped it and held it very close like the precious gift it was.

  Geralty took the rolled up chest plans and said, “Are we ready to see the plans for the treasure chest?” Everyone said they were and he rolled out the plans on the table. To everyone’s surprise the plans were three dimensional. It was very clever. Seymore asked, “How did you do that?” Geralty laughed and said, “Celic and I made a special code that makes graphics three dimensional like the holograms and this is the first time I have had a chance to use it for something besides just games or fooling around. It’s great, isn’t it? Celic is truly amazing at this kind of thing.”

  The chest was of a beautiful wood, dark and softly grained with a satin finish and a fine gold line in each of the crevices where the wood moldings were joined. The beautiful gold clasp and lock were Italian filigree with a small slip key. It had gold hinges and a deep burgundy velvet lining. There was a pocket in the lid and a partitioned tray that could be removed and the partitions rearranged. It stood on four carved bun feet that were inlaid with an intricate mother of pearl design. A beautiful crest carved on the top with the letters “S” and “P” integrated into the design was covered with gold leaf. It was very handsome and seemed to speak certainty and endurance.

  Seymore said, “It is magnificent. It gives us something to live up to, don’t you think?” Mesa agreed and Jesmond just nodded, she was feeling overwhelmed.

  There was another sheet of drawing paper under the chest design. Geralty roll up it up the three dimensional rendering and a drawing of the cupboard for the end of the hall was revealed. It was quite simple with two shelves behind plain glass doors with small brass knobs and a dark wood stain. It was a little taller than a normal table. The top of the cupboard had four raised corners that would exactly fit the base of the chest. Geralty said, “I made this quite simple because the chest and the most important element and when it is in place the cupboard will have more life. A shelf or cupboard on top can be added later when we need more room. What do you think?”

  Everyone agreed that the cupboard’s simplicity was the best idea and Jesmond said, “Can we go make it now?” Mesa agreed, “I think that’s a good idea.”

  They all began to wander back to the cottage, but Jesmond went over to the edge of the dome and the Watcher appeared. She gently touched the glass near the big foggy eye and rejoined the group to continue toward the picnic table and up to the cottage.

  When they came in through the double doors into the library Seymore suggested, “Mesa, will you create the chest and I’ll do the cupboard in the hall. ”She agreed and rolled out the hologram of the chest and then duplicated it perfectly on the round oak table. It was beautiful. She went over and opened it and made sure that it was complete. They all turned to look down the hall and the simple cupboard sat at the end against the wall facing the door where they were watching. Seymore had gone into his office and removed the hologram of Sarah and her small silver ring from his top desk drawer.

  Geralty picked up the chest and took it to the cupboard and set it carefully in the brackets that were provided to keep it firmly in place. They all stood back and admired it .Seymore had wrapped the Sarah hologram in velvet that was the same as the Chest interior and tied it with a piece of silk ribbon that was laced through her small silver ring. He carefully put it in the chest and closed the lid.

  Seymore then asked Jesmond, “Want to go with me while I redo our pond?” She gaily grabbed his hand and pulled him out the back door in the study. Mesa and Geralty went to the turret room and sat at the magic desk. Mesa put the sheaf of papers about the completion of ES 360 on the colorful top. They didn’t really have anything to talk about but were happy just to sit together and think.

  There was a lot to think about.