by Sue Perry
Then the Framekeep assistants announced the next case pending before the exalted Framekeeps. With a rustle, a creak, and an epidemic of whispers did boredom flee that day.
25. TANTAMOUNT TO TREASON
Anya and Anwyl entered the meeting room, followed by nine beings of nine species. The cherub guards flew in from the hall and zigzagged overhead, books tilted sharply, ready to shed text. For a moment the scene was like a silent movie—guards seemed to jump position in light that flickered. The flickering light came from a being that resembled a 3D television set with a loose connection.
When the last two allies entered the meeting room, for a few seconds I could see nothing because my eyes were thick with tears. Monk! And Miles! I hadn't realized the room was tall enough to fit the Watts Towers. Miles showed signs of recent rough treatment. He had many sections of fresh steel and concrete, as yet undecorated. He translated unevenly with a dip to the side—a kind of limp. For the briefest of moments I distracted myself wondering how the Watts Towers had gotten from Los Angeles to New York. I shoved my knuckles across my eyes to clear the tears and musings. I noted with satisfaction that the cherub guards' books reared back whenever the guards flew toward the Towers. The Towers had an ability to incinerate books that came too near.
The central Framekeep paused her recitation about the new case and waited as the newcomers found places to stand by the walls. The audience turned to look at the cause of interruption and whispering spread.
"In the matter of of land use adjustment in the Frame Marzipan, statute seven point th–three, and I quote, 'whereas land–landowner...'" The central Framekeep developed a stutter because she kept looking at the newcomers and losing her place. Perhaps she noticed that nine of these late arrivals were the same species as nine of the current Framekeeps, including her.
The case proceeded. Kelly Joe slipped from his seat and went to stand beside Monk. Anwyl joined them for a whispered conference and I got the impression they were weighing alternative strategies. Had they expected this many armed guards? Did they know the room would be crowded with spectators? Did they think the Framekeeps would step down without a fight? Were they comfortable with civilian casualties?
Meanwhile, the Framekeep assistants read all law relevant to the current case, then the central Framekeep intoned, "Those with comments, step to the center aisle and await my recognition to speak." No one moved. The pause turned to dead space. If it were a red light, I would have run it. Still no one moved.
"Have none of you concerns?" From her position near one end of the Framekeep table, Hari!–Ya sounded frustrated with the spectators. "This is your sole opportunity to comment." Today, her long red hair floated around her as though she were underwater.
"I hold a concern," said a voice like rain on bells. Anya glided to front and center.
Some Framekeeps looked startled to hear that voice, the others reacted when she shook her hair loose from the shawl that had shielded her head. The central Framekeep cast a quick glance at Anya's nine companions of nine species, frowned like her seat had sprouted thorns, and typed something on her tablet. Perhaps responding to a typed command, cupid guards on black shiny books flew in to hover above the space that separated spectators from Framekeeps.
Anya angled so that she could address Framekeeps and audience together. "To be a Keeper of the Frames is a great honor. Framekeeps uphold the tenets of our free Frames. We are grateful for your service, your sacrifices, and your wisdom. However, article one, section three point six of the Constitution of the free Frames states," and from here she recited a long paragraph about impartiality and the rights of citizens to replace Framekeeps who put personal considerations before the good of the free Frames. When Anya spoke legalese it wasn't yada–yada, it was affirmation of the protective nurturing power of law.
Two of the Framekeeps must be Constitutional scholars, because as soon as she said 'article one', they jumped to stand, back–to–back, as though expecting attack. For the others, awareness dawned only as Anya concluded,
"...'irrespective of motives, when a Framekeep rules according to personal interests, those rulings are void and that Framekeep must resign. Resistance to this article is tantamount to treason.'"
Now all the Framekeeps reacted. Some typed rapidly on their tablets, others studied the audience. The two gorillas who managed the dolphin's water tank stepped forward to stand between the tank and Anya. Hari!–Ya remained still, wearing a smile that sputtered like a damp campfire.
Dozens of cupid guards on black shiny books swarmed into the room. They surrounded the Framekeeps and assistants; they clumped at every door. The air was so thick with them that they blocked the light. Around me the audience sat frozen in twilight, maybe hoping that with stillness came invisibility. Meanwhile, humanoid guards packed the front of the room.
Anya didn't raise her voice and her tone remained enchanting but it penetrated the commotion. "At hearing the last, Framekeeps ruled in favor of Warty Sebaceous Cysts, and they have become Framekeep masters."
Amid audience gasps, the dolphin pronounced, "The imagination and resentment of a losing claimant have fashioned this absurd accusation." It made me sad to count a dolphin among my foes.
Anya continued, "By section ninety–seven part three of the Framekeep charter, as a citizen of the free Frames I exercise my right to fairness and demand that all thirteen Framekeeps cease official duties immediately and resign."
The central humanoid shrilled, "You have no proof and you must know we will fight any such accusation."
"Arrest them as a precaution while we investigate their accusation," the dolphin advised.
Anya replied, "By section two–two–five, part c, i through iii, 'when the rulings of the entire body are in question, every and each member shall step down until a special hearing repudiates the charges'." She paced her small open area. At each turn, she added a law quote.
"'By section seventeen, part nine–j, 'A Framekeep accused of wrongdoing shall be tried by peers'.
"Section seventeen, part nine–k, 'No Framekeep can hold office while under accusation'.
"Section eighteen, part a, 'A majority of citizens present at the proceedings will vote to appoint temporary Framekeeps.'"
"Then let us step down and complete this preposterous hearing immediately," said a tiny fluttery creature. There was no replacement member of this species present today, so this Framekeeper must be on our side.
"By section nineteen part q, 'the hearing to resolve charges must not interfere with the business of the Frames'." Anya replied.
Anwyl stepped away from Kelly Joe and Monk. "The business of the Frames is to prepare for war with Warty Sebaceous Cysts, a war you guaranteed when you ruled in their favor, at their behest." He gave a hand chop of a gesture that cut off discourse and perhaps the heads of any who sought to argue.
"I, for one, will not step down. You make outrageous claims with no proof," buzzed the 3D TV with poor reception. Its words came with sparks from a shorted circuit.
Anya replied agreeably, "We are not the sole citizens of the free Frames who hold concern."
That was my cue. I walked straight and tall up the aisle to stand beside Anya and I tried to mimic the confidence of my co–conspirators but I didn't see reason for confidence, even with the astounding battle skills of the allies. There were nearly as many guards as spectators. There was enough text in those soldier books to reduce us to atoms.
I yanked my hood back, hoping the Framekeeps would remember me despite my new hairdo or lack thereof. I was rewarded with noises of shock and anger. Cool. They recognized me. While I spoke, more guards poured from the back room. By the time I was done, there were three guards for every spectator.
"Hi again. It's Nica, formerly of Los Angeles. We met at your last hearing. You may recall that I was a witness in the case against Warty Sebaceous Cysts, who tried on more than one occasion to steal my thoughts. Last time we met, you treated me like a dirt clod because I am a Neutral. You banished me
from the free Frames without even letting me say goodbye. This has distressed me and interferes with my sleep and relationships. Because lawsuits across Frames are not an option, after you step down, please consider stopping by to offer your personal apology." It didn't have the ringing pronouncement of Anya's speech, but it occupied the time until she gave me the cue to stop.
"Thank you, Nica, no one considered the impact on you." She raised her arms. "Framekeeps. Your time has concluded. Step away from the table."
Several Framekeeps sat down, making the bank of guards behind them more visible.
"Refusal to cooperate will not change the outcome," Anya said warmly.
"In what section and part is that written?" The taunt came from the construction crane, whose enunciation was crisp and staccato.
"Your replacements will write that section," Kelly Joe heckled.
The dolphin floated upside down in his tank as though on vacation. His casual stance was negated by the fury in his voice. "Are you blind as well as foolhardy? See you not how gravely we outnumber you?"
I'd been wondering along the same lines.
Anwyl demonstrated what real cool looked like. "Count again," he suggested, and his hand sliced the air above his head.
26. ALL IN FAVOR?
With Anwyl's gesture, most of the guards raised their guns and angled their books—to threaten the remaining guards, the Framekeep assistants, and the thirteen Framekeeps. Anwyl pushed forward to stand behind Anya and the cherub guards dipped their books in salute.
Now I got it. We weren't worried about the tons of guards because Anwyl had recruited the guards to join our coup.
I wasn't the only one getting it. The un–recruited guards who suddenly had weapons trained on them finished their double–takes and their looks of disbelief congealed to disgust while their eyes darted as though searching for opportunity to resist. Finding none, the un–recruited guards dismounted their books and bound them with woven metal straps, which our guards hung from their belts.
Most of the spectators must also be co–conspirators. They followed Kelly Joe's lead to surround and herd the few remaining audience members away from the doors. Meanwhile, yet more guards with guns ushered the Framekeeps and their assistants into the center of the room.
It got noisy and then it got silent.
Anya led three of the Framekeeps back to the woven glass Framekeeps table, saying, "You shall not be replaced. We honor you for upholding truth, even as those around you succumbed to corruption. We are grateful for your service to the free Frames. Please be seated." As the three took seats at the Framekeeps table, Anya continued, "Now, to replace the traitors. I nominate Serj, son of Djok, to serve as Framekeep."
"All in favor?" Miles called. Ayes erupted and a 3D TV moved from the allies to the woven glass table. And so the coup proceeded. Anya nominated, ayes confirmed. Soon only one seat remained open at the Framekeeps table, the position previously held by Hari!–Ya—who glared at Anya with a look that I would have interpreted as vengeful, had I not known otherwise.
Hari!–Ya gathered her robes to return to the table. Anwyl shook his head and guards blocked Hari!–Ya's path. She drew back, more haughty than the Red Queen, and glared at Anya. "You brought no others of my kind with you here today, because in Expletive Deleted you could find no traitor who would do your bidding. Thus I have no replacement and the seat remains mine. Be forewarned, I will oppose you from the Framekeeps table, while my people shall oppose you outside this room."
Anya replied gently, "Section one, part seven f. 'The composition of the Framekeep roster shall comprise the thirteen principal families of sentient, animate and ambulatory beings.' However,—section one, part eight—'one or two positions may be occupied by exalted seers or Framewalkers, who may be of any species."
Anwyl called to the room at large, as though it had just occurred to him, "To occupy the seat that remains open, I nominate Anya, an exalted seer, daughter of Niav of the first lands."
Ayes and whoops filled the room. Anya moved to the center of the Framekeeps table, then held up her hands for silence, which came immediately.
Hari!–Ya filled the silence with bitterness. "You will want to be far from this Frame when word of your treachery spreads to my fellows." She stalked to the end of the room, stopped when the guards blocked her exit, remained staring at the door as though none of us existed.
It was a great scene, and a convincing one, I hoped. The Cobra people were firm supporters of Warty Sebaceous Cysts. Only by looking like Anya's enemy did Hari!–Ya have a chance of surviving as Anya's accomplice.
"Former Framekeeps," Anya addressed the deposed. "We know who you serve, be it by choice or duress. You shall receive a hearing and due punishment, but not this day. More urgent matters press us than retribution for your misdeeds. Make no mistake, retribution shall come. For the non, you may maintain your freedom if you return to your Frames immediately."
Kelly Joe stepped out from the back wall and spoke with the sidestep swagger of a rapper. "Call it your freedom or call it a head start."
With wails, groans, and vows of revenge, the former Framekeeps, their assistants, and the scant few spectators who were not co–conspirators were evicted from the meeting hall with an escort of guards. Based on the individual vibes, two of the deposed Framekeeps should be on suicide watch, three would hide in shame, and the other four would be off to join the Cysts as soon as the escort released them.
The door closed behind them and Anwyl called, "Silence for our leader." Monk, Miles, Kelly Joe, the spectators, and the guards all turned to the Framekeeps table, where Anya sat down and addressed us. "Today, together, we have struck a necessary blow for the free Frames. Now our work begins, with this deed that marks for persecution and extinction, those among us who were not already so marked by our foes."
No one flinched, at least not on the outside. "The morrow shall not come too soon," a spectator called, which sounded like Framespeak for bring it on.
Anya smiled a blessing. "Leave this place with all due haste and hope. We thirteen shall follow as quick as we can." She wanted to meet privately with the Framekeeps.
Anwyl instructed the guards, "My cadre shall remain with our Keepers. You others, escort these allies out of this Frame where ambush is most likely. But prepare for ambush in any Frame and all days while our enemies run large."
As the spectators departed, Anya called the Framekeeps session to order and began by briefing them, "Soon Maelstrom will be free and Warty Sebaceous Cysts prepare for his war. Already they train Lobotomists."
"This we expect from them," a humanoid Framekeep sighed.
"Yes, our foes are familiar to us. Let us ensure this is the final time we fight them," Anya agreed. "Also know that the mind hunters of Warty Sebaceous Cysts have grown to thousands."
"This is dire news," the same Framekeep whispered.
Holy crap. Thousands of Entourage? I groped for a chair, abandoned by my adrenaline. Our victory over the Framekeeps felt as secure as a paper boat in the cyclone of Cyst activity. Before I could sit, Kelly Joe was beside me. He tilted his head toward the exit. I followed him out and as he held the door for us he said softly, "The fear will pass."
"I'm feeling pretty small right now." My normal tones echoed like a shout. Outside the meeting hall, the government complex was silent; deserted.
"We grow to fit the need. Someone's been asking after you." Kelly Joe nodded across the street. The complex was not completely deserted! Across the street were two wonderful exceptions.
Monk and Miles. I ran to climb aboard the Watts Towers, looking for good handholds. Monk's girders, welded at sharp angles, were covered in cement that was dense with broken pottery shards, making him easy to climb. Miles had circular struts and was even easier to climb, usually; today, however, his struts lacked hand–holds because his slick fresh cement remained undecorated. This top part of his structure had seen the worst damage.
My run slowed as I registered something. The Watts T
owers are nearly a hundred feet tall but I was at eye level with the top of each Tower. They stood off the edge of the complex, behind the water that flowed sideways like a fence. They must be standing in the East River. Water coursed up their sides when they stood still, shot back down when they shifted positions—which they did repeatedly, as though the river was a fly that would shoo when they moved.
I squatted at the edge with both arms extended to touch one, then the other. "Miles. Monk. I've missed you so much."
"The heart reaches across the Frames," Monk said. I grinned. How wonderful to be barely–understanding him again!
"Yeah, but it's always nice to touch—not just reach for—the ones you love."
"Agreed," Monk said.
I touched one of Miles' repaired struts. "When you started to crumble. I was afraid you were dead."
"Nuts to that."
"What happened to you? Were you a prisoner? How did you get hurt?"
"The more lips keep zipped, the safer we stay," Miles replied.
"Did the healers help you?"
"I wouldn't be here without them."
When I needed the healers, I lay in dirt and the healers—a community of earthworms—undulated below me. How. Wow. To heal Miles.
"That's a lot of healers." I said.
"It was surely a sight to see," Kelly Joe agreed.
The air buzzed with the static charge that developed when the Towers laughed. When the charge faded, it emphasized the silence that saturated the streets of the complex.
"It's not safe for us here, is it? The Framekeeps overthrow was supposed to be a victory, but now we're in danger."
"The illusion of safety is our enemy's friend," Monk said. I took that to mean that we were in danger here all along.
The river shrieked. I startled and fell out of my squat onto my knees. "Don't worry, I'll get over feeling scared."
"Fear has us all shittin' bricks from time to time," Miles said.
"Bricks make good weapons," Monk noted.
I snorted.