As pictures filled the screen the two men could see just how far some would go.
“This family has just come out of a tattoo shop. May we talk to you?” The anchor asked them.
“Yes.” The dad answered.
“You let your daughter get her face tattooed?”
“Yes,” The mom answered. “We want her to know us when she sees us. With the chip, which is a great tool in larger places or with big crowds, it is still pretty tuff to find who you are looking for. Until the flux she could look around and find us, so we wanted to let her life go on as it did before.”
“Why didn’t you just dye your hair or use face paint like other people?”
“You have to dye your hair all the time.” The teenager answered, “I don’t want to have to dye my hair all the time or put make-up on. I want it to be like it has always been so we decided to get a family tat.”
“Did it hurt?”
“Yes.” The teenager said then added, “Even with the chip I can’t always know which person is my mom or dad. Everyone looks so similar that I can’t tell if that’s dad,” she pointed to the two men standing off to the side, “or if the other one is. I hate that. I don’t want to have to look at the watch every time I want to know which person is my parent. Now all we have to do is look. It’s an easy fix.”
“I can understand children wanting things to be like they once were,” the anchor said to the mom, “but will this really help.”
“I think so. No one has a tat like ours. The tattoo artist said that most are trying to make sure the face tats are not too similar. Even so, there are, wait were, many with blonde hair, we could still pick our daughter out from others who had blonde hair so it will be the same with the tat.”
“Well there you have it. The flux has changed all of us. No one likes looking just like the person next to them. Some are going to great lengths to stand out while others are taking a more subtle stance. We will each have to come to terms with how we will do this.”
An anchor from in the station asked, “Do you think everyone will just learn to use the chip or keep finding ways to stand out?”
“I don’t know, some like the chips while others are doing whatever they can to either not get one or to get it out from under their skin so I guess only time will tell.”
“We’ll just have to wait to find the answer to that folks, let’s turn it over to Glenn for the weather…”
“Kaden, what will happen when the government comes out to give us our chips? How will we explain Emily and the girls?”
“Mom said she was going in today for her chip. That way no one would come out here. No one knows we are here so they won’t come looking.”
***
Many people were having trouble with looking so similar and having a chip put in them. Schools were trying to deal with how the children felt but most of the parents didn’t like having their children and themselves chipped either. It seemed like an invasion of privacy and since they weren’t use to such technology and having to rely on it so much, the trauma was becoming more than most could bear.
Doctor Cathy Freeman, the principal at the Hillsboro High School, picked up the phone and dialed. She waited patiently until the phone was answered.
“Festus High School.”
“This is Doctor Freeman, may I speak with Diana Allen.”
“One moment.”
There was a brief pause. “Hi Cathy, what can I do for you?”
“I was wondering if you could meet with me later this afternoon.”
“About anything in particular?”
“Yes, but I’d rather talk to you in person.”
“Is everything alright?”
“Yes, it’s just an idea I have and don’t want to discuss it over the phone. Actually I’m trying to get in touch with Brad Snell from Northwest and Todd Scott from Seckman High School. I’d like all of us to have a meeting this afternoon if it’s convenient for everyone.”
“When and where?”
“How about we meet at Cool Beans Cafe’?”
“Sounds good, would four work.”
“Yes, thanks Diana.”
“No problem, see you later.”
The two women hung up and Doctor Freeman dialed Brad Snell at Northwest High School.
“Brad Snell.”
“Hi Brad it’s Cathy from the Hillsboro High School.”
“Hi Cathy what can I do for you.”
“I was wondering if you could make a meeting today at four in Hillsboro.”
“Well, if it’s real important I can.”
“I think I have a way to at least give our students a little break from all the changes. I want to help them see that life is still good.”
“Well I’m all for that. Where are we meeting?”
“At Cool Beans Cafe’. They are at—“
“I know the Cafe’. I’ll be there.”
“Thanks Brad. Bye.”
Wow two down and one to go. It had been easy so far, hopefully the last call will go as good.
“Seckman High School.”
“This is Doctor Cathy Freeman from the Hillsboro High School. May I speak to Todd Scott?”
“One moment.”
As Cathy waited she hoped his response would be a good one.
“Hi Doctor Freeman, this is Todd Scott. How may I help you?”
“Mister Scott I was hoping you’d be able to make a meeting today at four at the Cool Beans Cafe’ in Hillsboro?”
“I don’t know. I have a meeting right when school lets out. I don’t know how long it will take. What’s this about?”
“I have an idea that will give our students some reassurance that life won’t change. We can move forward doing all the things we have done in the past.”
“That might settle a lot of my students down. I must admit it’s hard to keep them from worrying about their future.”
“Can I count on you being there?”
“Yes.”
“Great, see you then.”
Cathy hung up the phone and took a deep breath. At least she has everyone who needs to be at the meeting coming. Now she had to get all her information together so she was ready for all their questions. Wanting to be at the Cafe’ before everyone else she arrived fifteen minutes early.
“Hi Doctor Freeman.” Brenda said.
Michelle said, “Hi Dr. Freeman.”
“Hi. How are you ladies doing today?”
“Fine, and you?” Brenda said.
“Doing great. Is it okay if I take a table over here?” She said pointing to a quiet corner.
“Yes, can I get you anything?” Michelle asked.
“Yes, I’d like an Almond Joy Latte.”
Cathy sat down at the table waiting for the others to arrive. She turned as the door to the cafe’ opened. “Diana, over here.”
“Hi Cathy. Just let me order something.”
“Sure.”
Cathy was relieved when the principal of the Festus High School arrived, in the back of her mind she was worried more important things would come up and get in the way of her meeting.
“May I help you?” Michelle asked.
“Yes, I’d like the chicken parmesan with a large soda.”
The cafe’ door opened again and Brad, the principal of Northwest High School and Todd of the Seckman High School entered. They ordered and then took a seat by Cathy.
With relief Cathy began, “I want to thank each of you for coming today. I had an idea that I think might bring all the students together.”
“I’d love that, my students are all over the place. No one knows who they are anymore. With them all looking alike they just don’t know how to react to each other.” Brad said.
“Mine too, they don’t seem to feel the future has as much to offer as it once did.”
“Exactly.” Cathy said then added, “I thought we could have an old fashion fair.”
“A fair? Now?” Diana scoffed. “I mean with all that’s going on isn’t spending
money the last thing we should be doing?”
“I understand what you are saying Diana, but this is not about budget, it’s about keeping a sense of reality for the students. All over the world everyone looks alike. This has unsettled the students and is making class work hard, if not impossible. A fair would be a great thing to pull all the schools together and let everyone know there is still life to live. We have to do something for our students before we have more psychological problems than we can deal with.”
“Okay, I’m listening.” Diana conceded.
“If each of our schools hosts a fair we can pull in all the other schools. Each of us will have a fair on the same day and at the same hours. It will run all day long to give everyone a chance to come out and have a great time. We’ll each have a blow-up.”
“Blow-ups? What kind of a fair is this?” Brad asked.
“The blow-up will be a water slip and slide. That will be the only thing, other than games, we will have.” Cathy chuckled. “We will have things for the elementary students through high school. We can get cotton candy and popcorn machines and the like. We can even have bands come play or a DJ. We’ll have all the mascots there. As each student comes in they will see their own mascot.”
“All of them?” Diana asked.
“Yes, each school will have their mascot to welcome their students. Can you imagine the Crystal City Hornet, DeSoto Dragon, Fox Warrior, Grandview Eagle, Herculaneum Blackcat, Jefferson Blue Jay and Windsor Owl, and of course we will each have our Festus Tiger, Hillsboro Hawk, Northwest Lion and Seckman Jaguar, all having a great time? We will put out a flier that will show each district where their mascot will be located. This will draw in the students and make them feel more comfortable.”
Cathy was afraid to stop talking in fear the others would think her plan a bit outrageous. “We just need to have something that will give our students, and their family, a little fun and normalcy. Not only that, this is the perfect time to help those who are having trouble using the chip and watches to learn in a safe place.”
The principals looked at each other.
Todd broke the silence. “I think this is an absurd idea that just might work! What made you think of it?”
“I had a few students in my office the other day. They were saying that even though the curfew has been set for sunset to sunup there isn’t much for them to do anymore. Activities at school have been pushed to align with curfew so if one isn’t at school for an activity they don’t have anywhere to go. Everything has come to a standstill with parents not wanting to let their children be away from home for too long. Even with the chip and watch parents are having a hard time finding their child. I thought this would give everyone a way to get use to the watches in a safe environment. We could have people there to help teach those who are struggling to learn how to use them. It can be a county wide event that will give everyone something to do and get our minds off our problems, if even for a day.”
“Well Cathy, I think it’s a great idea and I’m on board.” Brad said.
“Me too.” Added Diana.
“Good, since we’re all in agreement let’s get the ball rolling.”
For the next hour the four principals made their plans.
***
It was a week later when Dr. Cathy Freeman was able to make the announcement. She gave the information of the fairs to the local radio station KJFF, The Leader and to every principal of a Jefferson County School. She also made fliers so each student could take one home.
The date, which would be a Saturday, was set and everything was ordered. She didn’t leave anything to chance and made sure there was something for everyone. She couldn’t wait for the big day and neither could the other three principals that were hosting the fair. It was going to be a big party filled with fun for all.
All four schools; Hillsboro High School, Festus High School, Northwest High School and Seckman High School would have the same games. Cathy wanted to have something for everyone so the one thing she made sure was there was a large slip-n-slide. That would be the only larger item there. They would all have a magnetic fishing pond, ring toss, dunking for ducks, cake walk, a magic show and photo booth. There would also be pong-toss, fishing for treats, blow the duck down, water gun fights, knock down solo cups and bean bag toss among other games. There would be face painting and temporary tattoos, but, the most important thing was plenty of people to help those who couldn’t figure out how to work the watches.
When the big day arrived everyone was ready. No one really knew how things would play out but the hope was that the children would have a good time and when they came back to school on Monday there would be good things to talk about instead of the changes from the Flux.
Each principal was at their school ready to open the gate. At Hillsboro Cathy waited, the fair was her idea and if it didn’t hold up to expectations then she would feel like she failed. The gate was to open at ten am and close at six pm. At nine thirty she began to get very nervous.
As she walked around the fair making sure all was ready her cell rang. “Hello.”
“Hi Cathy, it’s Todd.”
“Hi Todd, are you all set?”
“Yes, and wow you really out did yourself. There are more things to do here today than at the county fair this past summer!”
“Well, I’ll have to say with all that has gone on, and the state of emergency, the slip-n-slide company was ready to make any deal just to get some money rolling in. They haven’t had one event for over two months. We got lucky.”
“Well, I just wanted to wish you luck.”
“Thanks Todd.”
As Cathy hung up she could see a line of cars starting to pull into the parking lot. She took a deep breath and walked to the front entrance.
“It’s ten am so let’s get the party started!” she said to the crowd.
It was only fifteen minutes after opening the fair that Cathy heard over the loud speaker, “Would Joe Bodlen please come to the front entrance.”
Cathy went to the front, “What’s going on?”
“This little girl—”
“I’m a boy!” the young child said.
“I’m sorry, this young man can’t find his dad.”
“Give me the mic.”
Cathy clicked on the sound system. “Hi everyone, could I have your attention please?” She waited a moment then continued, “This fair is to give our students and parents a fun time, but, it’s also a time you can use to get more familiar with the chip and watch system. You are in a safe and protected place with people who know how to use the watches. They will help you get more comfortable with them and teach you how to use them correctly. Please, come to the front entrance and get one of our tech supporters to help you and your family feel more at ease with the new technology. Thank you, have a fun day!”
Cathy stood back to see who, if anyone, would come forward to get help using the chip and watch system. To her great surprise there were many who wanted the help. She was thankful that the other high schools realized that all the students in Jefferson County needed not only a day of fun, but their families needed someone to show them how to use the watches and find who they were looking for without the fear.
Instead of having parents pay for anything the fair was set up for free. All the games had a ticket assigned to the winner, some were for food or drinks that were given out on site and others were for homemade items. Some of these items were cakes or pies, but, most of them were for helping the children, and their parents tell one from another. They included things like tutus, baseball hats and hair ribbons that were all made with different colors or style and temporary tattoos or face paint. These helped parents at the fair feel more relaxed as they learned to allow their children to go a bit further from them and still be able to find them.
A few hours later she called the Principal from Northwest High School. “Hi Brad this is Cathy.”
“Hi Cathy, wow is yours going as well as mine?”
“Is it goi
ng good?”
“I’ll say. We have had a lot of families using the techs to learn how to use the watches. I have to admit I didn’t think there would be many who would take the help but they have been busy over there all day. Cathy, this was a great idea.”
“Thanks Brad. I thought it might be but really didn’t realize myself just how much the parents didn’t know about the use of the watches. And to give everyone a day like this, well I’m glad it worked out so well.”
She had similar conversations with Diana from the Festus High School and Todd from Seckman High School.
Chapter Twenty
Keeping Safe
Three months had passed and the United States seemed to be settling back into a routine and getting more comfortable with the restrictions that were in place. Jim, Tyson, and Ronnie were hanging out at Ronnie’s house playing pool in the basement.
“I am seriously tired of whooping you two all day. You guys want to go ride the four wheelers and dirt bike.” Ronnie set his pool cue down.
Tyson snickered. “The only reason you beat us is because you have a pool table and can practice whenever you want.”
Ronnie scoffed at the comment. “Don’t hate the player, hate the game, bro. Come on, let’s go ride. I’m bored.”
“I call a four wheeler,” Tyson yelled running out the door.
Jim took off running behind Tyson. “I call a four wheeler too.”
Ronnie was right behind them. “Alright, you two can ride the four wheelers I’ll take the dirt bike.”
The boys fired up the four wheelers and dirt bike and took off.
Ronnie called out, “Hey you two follow me. I found a new area to ride in the other day and it has a wide open field with some really cool hills to jump.”
The other two followed Ronnie until they reached the new spot.
Jim took off his helmet. “Wow this is an awesome spot dude.”
Tyson let out a whistle. “Yeah, man, this is sweet let’s do this.”
The boys drove through the fields and jumped hills for about forty-five minutes until Tyson called out, “I’m thirsty. Let’s take a break.”
Genetic Flux (Phase One Book 1) Page 20