“Maxx gave me a fleet of spacecraft, Maxxine, and the space station in exchange for my helping him with his problem. It was a fair deal for us both. Maxx can now clone new Myleans and complete his mission. Best of all, I’m free to live the rest of my life in peace without his interference.”
“I can’t imagine a life without privacy. It must have been miserable for you.”
He laughed. “There were a few times that I had a little fun with it. Maxx had to protect me at all costs, so I just put myself in harm’s way a few times to see what he would do. I guess the scariest one of all was when, during my military training, I jumped out of an airplane and didn’t deploy the chute. Maxx just gave me a gentle landing and then quite a tongue lashing afterward.”
Julia rolled her eyes. “I understand that your DNA was the key to the computer password, but why was that so important? Surely, this Maxx creature could have used his electronic skills to get around the situation.”
“The problem was quite complex. The planet was threatened by a black hole that would have surely destroyed it. Tanaka, the Mylean whose DNA I share, devised a plan to save the planet by moving it to a safe location in the galaxy. To accomplish that feat, a massive structure was built around the planet. Then they enclosed that structure with a spacecraft capable of transporting it. That spacecraft and everything in it was controlled by Maxx. A second computer was built to act as a watchdog for Maxx to prevent him from having unlimited powers.
“Unfortunately, due to many complex factors, the population died off during the journey, but Maxx had the capability of cloning new Myleans from stored DNA samples. Unfortunately, he was prohibited from cloning new individuals, and that’s where I came into the picture.
“To make a very long story short, Maxx needed to use my DNA profile to resolve the issues and find a new home for Mylea.
“Not long ago, I negotiated a deal with Maxx in exchange for the use of my DNA. That, my dear Julia, is how I got my power and resources. I’ll go into the details later when you’re ready to hear the entire story. There are many twists and turns along the way, and I think that we both need to be rested and refreshed before we get into that long tale.
“Mister T is a very important part of my story. He was created to be my guide through the whole process and acted as a direct interface with Maxx. Asking for him was almost an afterthought. At the very last minute, I asked Maxx to throw him into the deal, and he agreed. And for that I will be eternally grateful.”
John rose and beckoned Julia to follow. He escorted her throughout the craft and explained its amazing features and capabilities. He glanced at his watch and realized how much time had already passed.
“I’ve much more to show you. Let’s take a quick tour of the island.”
They exited the craft and John pointed out the desalinization plant and explained that Maxxine had designed it using Mylean technology.
Next, he showed her the new dock and described the additional acreage that had been created. Julia questioned him closely as to how this could have been accomplished in a single night and, especially, how there had been no negative impact on the environment.
She was delighted by the golf course, and John was pleased to learn that she was also an avid golfer. She even ventured to bet that she could beat him in a round, and he had a sneaking suspicion that she wasn’t just bragging.
At last, they sat on a secluded bench looking out toward the ocean. John reached out and took her hands in his.
“Julia, you are the first and the only person that I’ve ever told about my past and my heritage other than Jim Slater. I’ve given you my complete trust. My life is now in your hands. When I saw you on that flight from the Caymans, I had feelings that I hadn’t had for many years. Well, probably never. I couldn’t believe my luck in finding you again when we met at the museum. It was like some divine intervention. Deep down, I have a very sneaky suspicion that Maxx engineered the whole thing to get us together. It would be just like him. There are times that I think that he must believe that he still owes me for all those lonely years.”
Somewhere, far, far in outer space, a deep computer voice could be heard chuckling.
By now, John was gaining confidence. He had been very honest, and very careful, in revealing himself to Julia. He had done so piece by piece so as not to overwhelm her. He moved closer and bravely put his arm around her shoulders. She didn’t resist.
“Julia, I believe that fate brought us together. We’ve both had long and successful lives. We both have money. What we don’t have is someone very special to share it all. I haven’t known you very long, but I feel, no, I know, that you are that one special person for me. I hope that you’ll feel the same way about me. I can offer you adventure, excitement, a good round of golf, and lots of fun on my private island.”
Mister T watched discreetly from a distance and decided that his emotional module was soon going to need some serious updating.
Maxx, ever the trickster, spoke from far away, “Believe in fate if you will, but when push comes to shove, always trust Maxx to get the job done.”
Julia had obviously been spending much of her time since meeting John in thinking about this new relationship. This new man in her life was utterly mysterious and fascinating. She had been initially shocked by his revelations, but after seeing the images of the interstellar transporter, she began to accept his story as truth.
“John, I’ve always been rather bored with the mundane. I’ve always been independent and without fear of the unknown or uncharted. I’ve had lovers who were just interested in my money and lovers who were interested in the real me. None seemed to fit the bill. In every case, I just lost interest quickly and walked away leaving a wake of confusion and sometimes pain. I’ve often regretted my actions but I just never knew how to end things amicably. It’s just not my style. I’ve never looked back, and I don’t plan to start now.
“When we met at the museum, I, too, felt that there could be something very special between us. Your eyes told me that you were a sincere and honest person. Your face betrayed a life of loneliness, but not loneliness as most people would describe it. I mean a loneliness that comes from within. A loneliness of the soul that can’t be pushed aside.
“You intrigued me with your air of carefully controlled mystery. You let nothing out yet I knew that, inside, there was much to offer. That’s why I accepted your first invitation and why I came to your island.”
The moon had moved slowly across the dark sky and was now hovering over the ocean leaving golden reflections in the water. Soft lights could be seen glowing from the villa and tiny solar lights brightened pathways. John fell under the spell of this magical moment and pulled Julia to him for a kiss that electrified his whole being.
She gently pushed him away, turned and ran toward the water with a playful laugh. They ran through the waves and splashed about like happy children until, sadly, they both realized that the hour was growing late and a very busy day awaited them in the morning.
“Okay, okay, I give up!” John exclaimed, “It’s time for my brandy. Mister T will think we’ve deserted him.”
As they walked slowly toward the house, arms around each other’s waists, Mister T peered through the shutters. As he watched John and Julia, he thought, “Humans are most certainly an interesting lot. Myleans would never think to play in the surf. Such childish behavior just didn’t seem to be in their nature. But, somehow, I’m beginning to think that having fun might just be a very important aspect of life.”
He smiled and gently closed the shutters.
Mister T opened the door and led them through the house to the veranda where he served them a late night brandy.
“Boss, have you noticed that anything is missing around here?” Mister T spoke very impishly for a robot.
John looked around, scanned the grounds, and then looked around some more.
“Everything seems perfect to me. I can’t think of anything that might be amiss. I did notice the new pa
thway lights. Great idea!”
Mister T spun around slowly with arms outstretched.
“Mosquitoes!”
John was taken aback. He had always hated the little beasts as they seemed to find him equivalent to mosquito caviar. They were everywhere in this part of the world and took great pleasure in making life miserable for everyone. A constant war waged between the buzzing hordes and their intended miserable victims.
“As soon as we got here, I realized that you hated mosquitoes. The other day, when you stayed over in Key West, I came back here with a special purpose in mind. I consulted with Maxxine, and we came up with a system that keeps those tiny insects away from Scott Key. They are permanently banished. I’ve never had a project of my own, so I’m very proud of myself.”
John roared with laughter. “You’ve outdone yourself, my friend. I'll have to get your secret since I could probably be richer than Croesus if I decided to sell it.”
Mister T was obviously quite pleased and had a definite skip in his step as he returned to the house.
Julia clapped excitedly. “Mister T is a true genius, but now, it’s time for me to go back to the guest house.” She hopped up and trotted down the pathway and out of sight.
John sat back down at the table and sipped slowly on his brandy. About fifteen minutes later, he heard a rustling sound behind him. It was Julia; she had changed into a long, flowing tropical dress and carried her travel case. Her hair, still damp from the surf, was pulled back into a ponytail.
John just sat there with his mouth open.
Julia sat down next to him and said, “When I was a small child, I was afraid of the dark. Every night, I could almost see the huge monsters with sharp, pointy fangs that were lurking under my bed. Every tiny sound caused me to cringe and hide my head under the pillow. Just now, when I went back to the guesthouse, I heard a strange noise or two, just like the ones in my childhood memories. Needless to say, I was terrified. I am certain that I wouldn’t get a single wink of sleep if I stayed in that scary place all by myself.”
She winked at John, “I’m a damsel in distress, and I need rescuing from the monsters.”
John was speechless.
Mister T appeared instantly, took her bag, and after a questioning look at John, took it into the master bedroom. He pulled back the covers on the bed, lit some candles, and opened the doors to the veranda so that the sounds of the ocean could be heard. Then, he quietly exited.
They entered the house and sat in the living area where Mister T served another small glass of brandy. They laughed and talked until almost one in the morning.
The house had never known such laughter. Julia kicked off her sandals and went over to the grand piano. She opened it and began to play a simple melody. John walked over and stood behind her until she finished without a single sour note.
He called Mister T for one last request of the day. “It’s quite late and time for bed. Don’t forget to groom Akiro first thing in the morning. You’ve been programmed appropriately. He’s a good little fellow and won’t give you much trouble.”
Mister T nodded and left, leaving the two lovers alone. They walked slowly to the bedroom and quietly shut the door behind them.
****
At precisely 8:30 AM, there was a soft knock on the door. It opened very slightly, and Akiro bounded inside, perfectly groomed, and looking very handsome. Mister T had even anointed him with nice, florally scented doggie cologne. He hopped on the bed and began to growl and pull the covers playfully.
“My plan is for Akiro to be a mate for Mitch. He’s a perfect specimen and has the personality to boot. She’ll love him. I’ve never played canine matchmaker, but I do believe that they’re perfect for each other.”
“Did you ever consider the fact that Mitch may not even like Akiro? And he is still just a puppy. She might not want to rob the cradle.”
He reached over to nuzzle Akiro, and Mister T admonished him not to pull out the perfect little bow tied around his topknot.
Julia sighed, “I have a feeling that your matchmaking career may not be quite as rewarding as you expect. You can’t just go around running other people’s lives for them. You should know that from your experience with Maxx.”
She reached over and brushed a strand of hair from his brow. “Let’s worry about all that later. You’ve got a lot do before Jim and Mitch get here, and besides I’m famished. Let’s have some breakfast.”
At breakfast, Julia questioned him about Sylvia. He explained that she and Jim had once been very much in love, but time and careers had intervened, and they had drifted apart. They hadn’t seen each other for several years.
John, ever the optimist, was convinced that they would instantly fall into each other’s arms and renew their romance in a blaze of passion. It would be as if they had never been separated. He was quite proud of his little subterfuge to get Sylvia to his island. She was totally unaware of his little plot. What could go wrong?
Julia, with a rather sarcastic tone in her voice, sipped her tea and opined, “Let’s hope that you’re right. However, don’t come crying to me if your little plot has a surprise ending.”
She then added, in a much lower tone of voice, “Women are very complicated, John.”
Chapter 5: Jim Slater Visits Scott Key
“Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow-ripening fruit.”
- Aristotle
“Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”
- Albert Camus
On Saturday morning in Washington, DC, Jim Slater climbed the stairs to the roof of his condo a few minutes before eleven. He cradled Mitch in his right arm and carried his weekend bag in his left hand. As he stepped out onto the roof, he looked up into the gray, gloomy sky and thought how appropriate the weather was at the moment. A misty rain fell as if the sky was silently shedding tears over the recent events in the nation’s capital.
He looked down at his garishly colored shirt that would be right at home in Florida but would brand him as a freak here in Washington. He had found the shirt at the back of his closet where it had been languishing ever since he bought it on a rather forgettable trip to Acapulco.
He could hardly wait to get away and forget about his troubles, at least for a few days. Mitch was ready for adventure and eager to go, as always.
Fortunately, he had very little time to ponder his sartorial decisions since, precisely at eleven, the spacecraft landed on the roof and switched from stealth mode to visible mode. The hatch opened immediately, and Mister T beckoned him to enter.
The craft closed the hatch, entered stealth mode, and lifted off immediately.
Mister T took a seat across from Jim, rolled his eyes upward, and laughed. “My emotional module is functioning at a very high level. Where in the galaxy did you find that shirt? It almost screams at me. Ghastly, quite ghastly! You humans have peculiar tastes, but enough of that. The boss gave me instructions for programming the ship, but he knows very well that I’m quite capable of functioning without his input. We’ll be traveling quite slowly by my usual standards, but we’ll still reach the island before lunchtime.”
Mister T took a seat across from Jim and glanced over at Mitch, who was already dozing contentedly in the seat beside Jim.
“The boss also asked me to give you a message. You’ve always known him as Tom, but that isn’t his real name. It’s John F. Scott. Don’t ask me why he used an alternate identity, but I guess that’s his business. He also asked me to assure you that everything else that he’s ever told you is true. Any questions?”
Jim sighed, “Well, I’m not at all surprised that Tom isn’t his real name. He’s always been secretive and mysterious, so I just assumed that he was probably protecting his privacy. To many of us, that’s a priceless commodity.”
John had specifically instructed him to answer all of Jim’s questions truthfully except one. He was forbidden to reveal that
another guest would be on the island during his visit, and that the other person just happened to be his old flame, Sylvia.
At that point, Mister T had interrupted John with a question, “If she’s an old flame, why hasn’t she already been reduced to ashes?”
John had laughed good-naturedly and explained the term. Mister T thought that it was rather stupid at best and declined to add it to his vocabulary bank.
Mister T slowed their air speed significantly and opened the viewing ports so that Jim could get a good view of the island from above. They circled the island several times while Mister T pointed out the various features including the main villa, the guest house, and the new golf course.
Jim was stunned. The place was unbelievable. How could Tom, no, John F. Scott have afforded a private island? The golf course was incredible. It was beautifully designed, and it blended into the landscape perfectly.
The ship settled gently on the lawn without crushing even a single blade of the carefully tended grass. The hatch slid open, and the warm, humid air rushed into the cabin. Jim picked up Mitch and stepped out into the blazing Florida sunshine. He breathed deeply and thanked the gods that he was out of the big city.
The craft had landed at precisely 11:32 AM and John bounded down the pathway from the villa to meet them.
“Welcome to Scott Key! I’m sure that Mister T has told you that my name is John, and you should call me that from now on. Sorry about the little subterfuge but I had my reasons. One of these days, I may clue you in but not today. We’ve got a busy schedule.”
Jim continued to look around in amazement. The main house, a Caribbean style villa, stood majestically before them and the guest house, of matching style, was tucked away in a grove of palms nearby. The place was an architectural masterpiece.
He expected some smelly fishing camp with a ramshackle structure passing for a house. He had imagined that John probably led a Bohemian kind of existence spending his days in ragged shorts and fishing from some tumbledown pier. Nothing could have been farther from the truth.
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