The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series

by Jacqueline Druga

  Joe liked Frank’s idea and the fact that Danny was nearly certain he could do it. The certain part was what made Joe curious. “Danny, tell us, how do you know so much about this? How were you able to create this so easily?”

  “It’s what I do, or did,” Danny said. “Actually putting things together is a hobby of mine. You know, take things apart, put them back together. Fixing things, I like to fix things. I think I do well at it. But electronics, now that was pretty much my specialty. OK, I’m lying, designing, building, and creating electrical systems is what I did. You know, for buildings. I actually went to school to be an architect. I was always buildings things as a kid, but it was boring, so I went back to school to get my degree in electrical engineering. But I’ll tell you Mr. Slagel. Making that ...” He pointed to his tracker. “I didn’t learn in any college. I learned more in trade school when I went for electronics than I did at UCLA.”

  Joe’s mouth dropped. “You went to trade school too.”

  “Oh sure.” Danny lifted his shoulders “You can’t design something to make it work if you yourself can’t build it and make it work. You can’t do that unless you understand how it works. Understand?” He saw the slant expression of Joe’s face. “Oh no. You don’t believe me. I don’t blame you. I know people probably come knocking on your door, giving you a bunch of shit so they can get in. But you can test me. I’ll take a test.” Danny raised his eyebrow. “Give me something to fix. I’ll do it. Anything.” He leaned into the desk. “Just let us stay. We’re tired of running. We’re tired of living out there. We want to live with people again.”

  “Danny ...” Joe gently held the tracker.

  “Mr. Slagel, Bentley, he’s a barber. Look, he cut my hair. Robbie says you don’t have a barber. We’re useful.”

  “Danny.” Joe smiled and shook his head at the rambling young man. Here, sitting before Joe, was someone that wanted in so badly and little did he know he walked in with his own key and handed it to Joe. “Danny, you and your friend are welcome to stay with us. There are channels, which I’ll explain later, but you can stay.”

  Danny clenched his fist with a silent ‘yes’.

  Robbie expected the reaction Danny would give. He saw his brother’s expression. If Frank didn’t like Danny before, Danny certainly jumped over typical Survivor status with his tracker. And Joe, Robbie saw that his father recognized an asset to Beginnings more than anything. “Dad? What do you think?”

  “I think.” Gently holding the tracker, Joe sat back, not without trouble, but he sat back. “I think we’re gonna have some really amusing times ahead of us.”

  This made Robbie curious. “Really? Amusing? Why do you say that?”

  Joe grinned devilishly at the tracker. “Because of Henry.” Joe looked at Frank and he knew Frank knew exactly where he was going. “Henry is going to be so jealous. I love it.”

  <><><><>

  Annoyed would be the understatement to describe Ellen’s mood as she toted herself from town to the line of utility buildings to greet and examine the two new Survivors. All the way up there, box in her arms, courtesy of Henry and everyone else that stopped her and said, ‘Hey, are you going to Joe’s? Can you take this for me?’ Being the kindhearted person that Ellen believed she was, she shrugged and they tossed whatever it was in the box. She would have thought that they would have avoided her. If she could feel the hideous mood showing on her face, she could only imagine what the others saw. Maybe that’s why they bothered her, to irritate her. Just like Frank. He thought he was really funny, calling her on the radio and telling her that she had to come to Receiving. She had to meet the new Survivors. She was going to love the one. Ellen knew exactly what Frank was up to. In his own way, he was telling her how bad they were and he was just digging that fact into her with every chuckle he let out over that radio. She’d see who was laughing when he would want her to come help out that evening with the kids and she was stuck with the new Survivors from hell. Cole-Survivors. Ellen shuddered at that thought as she neared Joe’s office, walking so slowly—not like she was in a hurry to get there. And Cole-Survivors were the worst.

  It was like a game of chance. Different people always brought back different types of Survivors. When Miguel used to go out, he would bring in decent Survivors. But like Ellen was the Survivor-Queen, Robbie was the Survivor-King. He always brought back the best. After all, he did bring her back Blake, the Soap Opera God.

  She saw the cigarette smoke first as she rounded the bend to the utility building. When she heard that unmistakable single cough, she knew Joe was outside. She peeked first then put on a smile—fake. “Hi, Joe, why are you hanging outside?”

  “I couldn’t sit any longer, Ellen. I was tired of waiting on you.”

  “I’ve been very busy, Joe. Look, I’m holding a box for you. Everybody is giving me their work to do.” She chuckled at Joe’s grunt. “Who’s with the new Survivors?”

  “Frank and Robbie.”

  “Are they torturing them?”

  “No!” Joe snapped. “What the hell are you wearing?”

  “A skirt.”

  “A second layer of skin. Don’t you think that’s a little short? Don’t you think it’s a little tight? Don’t you think you’re a little old to be dressing like that?”

  “And don’t you think you’re being a little pissy with me.”

  “Ellen, I’m being pissy with you because you shot me in the ass.”

  “Oh get over it, Joe.”

  “What?”

  “Just kidding. I have to do blood samples.”

  “No you don’t.”

  “I don’t?”

  “No, Andrea was up here measuring Robbie, and she took the samples for you.”

  Ellen sang out a ‘hmm’. “What is wrong with her? I saw her when I was walking up here. You would think she would have told me so I didn’t have to trot my ass all the way here from the clinic, carrying other people’s things too.”

  “She didn’t tell you because she wanted you to meet the Survivors. She said you’ll love them.”

  Ellen let out a loud sound of disgust. “God! How bad are they? They’re animals aren’t they? They have to be if everyone who has met them rubs it in. For sure I’m heading back to the mobile.” Ellen turned and started to walk. “Here’s your box.”

  “Take it inside then head to Containment.”

  “But, Joe, I don’t have to be there until two.”

  “It’s twenty minutes till, Ellen. By the time you get all the way back out to the mobile it’ll be two o’clock, then you’ll have to turn your skinny ass around and head back. That means you’ll be late.”

  “Better late than early, Joe. Take your box.”

  “You take my box.” Joe reached back and opened his office door. “Inside for me. You owe me.” He tossed his cigarette and limped in before Ellen. “She’s here,” he spoke out.

  Ellen closed the door, griping as she walked in. “Just announce me like a door prize, Joe. Bitching at me from the second you see me. Hey, Frank.” She smiled at Frank who stood by the file cabinet.

  “Hey, Babe, wanna meet one of the new Survivors?”

  Ellen crinkled her nose to Frank and turned into the office. The moment Joe stepped aside and went behind his desk, was the moment she saw Danny Hoi stand up. Upon seeing the shocking sight of a well-kept Survivor, Ellen’s hands loosened and she dropped the box. It toppled onto the floor and its contents spilled out. “Shit.” She bent down to it.

  “Here.” Danny rushed over with a smile, bending down to the floor with her. “Let me help.” He grinned widely at her. “Oh my God.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” He shook his head and picked up some of the papers, his eyes shifting down to her folded legs. When he heard Frank yell ‘eyes’, he lifted his views to Ellen’s face.

  Ellen giggled. “Shut up, Frank.” She waved her hand and whispered to Danny, “Don’t mind him.”

  Frank rolled his eyes and ran his han
d over his head. “Oh great, she’s flirting already.”

  “I’m Danny Hoi.” He placed a paper in the box and shook Ellen’s hand.

  “Ellen Slagel.”

  “No way?” Danny smiled a crocked smile. “Another Slagel?”

  “I inherited the name through marriage.”

  “No way?” Danny turned his head back. “Robbie, is this your wife?”

  “Nope. Sex partner, not wife.”

  Danny snickered at Ellen’s gasp. “He’s funny.” He looked at Joe. “Joe, is she your wife?”

  “No!” Joe snapped so offended. “Christ, she shot me. If I didn’t think of her as a daughter, she would be the last person I’d marry.”

  Danny closed into Ellen, motioning his head up to Frank. “Him? The big guy? That’s your husband?”

  “Hey!” Frank yelled. “What’s wrong with me?”

  Ellen snickered. “Used to be. We’re split up.”

  “Oh yeah?” Danny smiled at that.

  “He wanted his name back. He was really mean.”

  “El!” Frank yelled. “I think you’re done picking up that shit. You can get up from your private floor party.”

  Ellen lifted the box and stood at the same time as Danny. “I guess I’ll show you around Containment. I work there. I run it.”

  “Great.” Danny moved his head into Ellen and sniffed. “You smell like a woman.”

  “Wait a second.” She grabbed his shirt and pulled him back. “You smell good too.”

  “Cologne. I always wear cologne.”

  “Oh, that is so great.” Ellen side-handed the box to Frank and he grunted. “No man here wears cologne. And ... great hair.”

  “Thanks.” Danny stepped back. “Wow, a woman.”

  “Haven’t you seen a woman in a while?”

  “No. Over a year.”

  “I must look pretty good to you.” She snickered. “I bet Jenny Matoose would look good to you. So you haven’t seen a woman in over a year?”

  “No, and the last time I was around one, I wasn’t allowed to speak or look at her. There aren’t many women so it’s been years since I even spoke to a woman.”

  “Oh, you can talk to me anytime.”

  “Really?”

  Ellen waved her hand. “Oh sure. I drive everyone nuts though. Be forewarned. And ...” She looked at those in the room. “Shall I walk him to Containment or are one of you three driving us there?”

  Frank jingled the keys. “I’ll drive you. Then Robbie or my Dad will come by later to do the containment explanation thing to him.”

  “I can do that.” Ellen looked at Joe. “I can do that, Joe.”

  Joe shook his head. “You don’t do it right, Ellen. You lie to the people. Me or Robbie will be there. I thought you wanted to be late today.”

  “Me?” Ellen placed her hand to her own chest. “When did I say that?”

  Joe was ready to verbally strike out at her but instead he let her go. She was being an ‘Ellen’. He lowered himself to his seat, paused, lifted up with a cringing face, and lowered himself completely. He snarled at Ellen, Robbie, and Frank who laughed. “Knock it off, you three. Robbie, go get Bentley, and Frank can take them and Ellen down.”

  “Got it, Dad.” Robbie walked by Ellen and Danny. “Dan, I’ll see you in a little while. Frank, meet you at the jeep.”

  Frank reached out for the office door, opening it. “Let’s go, El.”

  “OK, come on, Danny.” She walked ahead of him. “Is Bentley like you?”

  “I think he is.”

  “Oh good.” She paused in the door. “I have to say, I am impressed. Your clothes, your shirt, hair. You are so clean.”

  “Thanks. I think clean is important.”

  “Oh me too and you’re proof. Look at you. You wouldn’t believe the condition some people come into Beginnings in.”

  “Isn’t that wrong? Why let yourself go like that? Just because the world ended, it doesn’t mean personal hygiene should too.”

  “My thoughts exactly.” Ellen nodded.

  “El!” Frank scolded. “Today!”

  With her finger closing off her ear that rang, Ellen jolted and started walking again. “We’ll talk at Containment.”

  Frank grumbled some as they walked out. He looked at his father to say goodbye and saw the oddity of happy on his face. “Why are you smiling?”

  “Just thinking.” Joe folded his hands on his desk. “I love to get Henry. Henry is going to be so upset for a few days, not just about Danny’s ability, but all the way around.”

  Frank grinned. “He does get himself worked up.” He gave a sneaky laugh.

  “Hey, Frank. How about you finding Henry and bringing him to Containment to meet Danny? You personally find him.”

  Frank bit his bottom lip with an ornery look. “You know what, I think I will. It has been a long time since Henry was all hyper. I miss that.” Laughing, Frank walked from the office and pulled the door closed.

  Sitting at his desk, Joe knew that some would wonder why he would do that to Henry. But those same people who would wonder that, would have to realize that Joe found there was very little that amused him in Beginnings. When he saw an opportunity to be amused, Joe being the man that he was, had to seize it.

  CHAPTER SIX

  It was like a children’s game to Frank. But instead of chasing around some guy in a red-and-white striped sweater, he was chasing around a tall, lanky, long-haired Japanese man wearing tan pants and a white tee shirt. It was the ‘Where’s Henry’ game to Frank and about twenty minutes into his search, he started getting annoyed. He went to the field house. No Henry. He went to the generator building. No Henry again. He wasn’t supposed to be in town still, but Scott informed him that he had an entire list of things to do. So after listening to Scott ramble on in such a slow fashion, Frank headed into center town. Three stops was what Scott told him and Frank went to all three, saving History for last because that was where Henry had the longest task to accomplish.

  He pulled the jeep up to History, wishing it was his motorcycle. But as Frank found out during his search for Henry, his ‘out of commission’ bike hadn’t even been touched.

  He clomped his boots on the two steps, opening the door to History, and seeing Trish at her desk in her normal fashion, her nose in a book. Frank could have said ‘hello’ when she looked up, but he was already getting in a bad mood. “Why are you always reading?”

  “Why not?”

  “It’s stupid.”

  Trish slammed her book shut. “Do you have an appointment, Frank?”

  “No, I don’t have an appointment.” He saw Trish ready to talk. “I’m not here for a history lesson either. I’m looking for Henry. He’s supposed to fix your back printer.”

  “Oh yes.” Trish smiled. “It’s broken. It makes this noise when it prints up. Eek, Eek, Eek.”

  “Trish! Is he fixing it?”

  “Yes, right in the middle.”

  “Good.” Frank began to move to the back room.

  “Wait!” Trish hobbled up and stopped him. “You can’t go back there.”

  “Why not?”

  “You don’t have an appointment. Rules, you know.”

  “I don’t care about rules. I need to see Henry.”

  “Well he’s not back there,” Trish stated.

  “He’s not in the back? You said he was in the back.”

  “No I didn’t.”

  “Yes you did. You said he was fixing the printer.”

  “He is.”

  “Then he’s back there.” Frank reached for the doorknob.

  “No he isn’t, he’s gone.”

  “How can he be gone if he’s fixing your printer?”

  “He left.”

  Frank took a second and caught his breath. “You said he was right in the middle of fixing the printer.”

  “He is.”

  “Then he’s back there!”

  “No. He left in the middle of fixing the printer. He said he’d be back
. He needed a part to stop it from going Eek, Eek, Eek.”

  “Then he went to Mechanics.”

  “No.” Trish shook her head.

  “You just said he needed a part.”

  “But that’s not why he left. He left because the shredder wasn’t working at Paper Division.”

  Frank grunted loudly. “Why didn’t you tell me this is the first place?”

  “You never asked.” Trish pointed and moved back to her desk. “Plus you weren’t being very nice.”

  “Like I care.” Frank stormed to the door.

  “Oh, Frank?” Trish called out to him. “Could you remind Henry that he has to look at my fax machine when he comes back?”

  “Why does he have to look at your fax machine, Trish?”

  “It’s broken. I’m not getting any faxes, you know.”

  “Oh. OK I’ll tell him.” Figuring he’d be nice and make mention of that to Henry, Frank left before Trish confused him anymore. He got back in the jeep and began to drive from town. So irritated at that moment, as soon as he cleared town, Frank reached into his pocket and lit up a cigarette. He stopped the jeep about a mile into the five-mile trip to the Industrial Section and figured he wasn’t going to waste his time pulling a surprise visit on Henry. Obviously, trying to show up unexpectedly where Henry was, only made Frank run around in circles. So he did what he avoided doing all along, he radioed out to ensure he was headed in the right direction. When Paper told him that Henry was there, Frank bluntly told them to keep Henry’s skinny ass there because if he walks in and Henry is gone, he will start shooting.

  <><><><>

  Henry was excited that the problem with the paper shredder ended up being a minor problem instead of something major. He debated on whether or not—though he did make the mess—to let Paper pick up the shredded mess all over the floor. After all, he did fix their machine. Seeing how he had his tools to pick up, he would leave the mess for the people who ran the division.

  Somewhere around Henry’s placing the last of his tools in his sack, guilt hit him. He couldn’t do it. For as much as he wanted to chuck his mess, the nice person in him couldn’t. So Henry, on his hands and knees, started to gather up the paper.