by Char Cam
“That my friend, is the question. Maybe your ‘friend’ tonight can help with that after all.”
“Yeah. I’ll ask about that.” Alvaro stretched and stood. “I’ll be heading out. Got some things to think about before I go to the meeting.”
“If you wanna come back here afterward to crash, we’ve got plenty of room,” Elsbeth invited. Cots had been set up around the fire pit. One was already occupied by Liolith.
“Thanks, Lil’ Bit, but I’ve got guests back at my own palace. Still have to figure things out ‘bout that too. You come visit me and I’ll put you up in your own wing,” he grinned.
"Listen, guys, I’ve got some business in town I need to take care of. I’ll walk out with you two if you don’t mind," Sonetshea said, joining Alvaro and Bliztarf. "I'll be back prolly in about an hour, so keep a bed by the fire for me."
"Want some company?" Elsbeth asked.
"Nah. It’s um, alternate reality business. Phone…um, crystal call to my son."
"Oh. Ooooooh. Okay. See ya, wouldn’t wanna be ya."
"HA. He’s a very cute boy." Sonetshea waited for Elspeth’s eyes to light with interest, then shot her down. "He’s twelve, so prolly not interesting to you."
Elsbeth crossed her eyes and stuck her tongue out.
"Sa-LAM!" Cryson motioned a ball slam-dunking off the ground. “Besides, wouldn’t he be your brother?”
"Oh look! Liolith is waving you over," Elsbeth said with concern.
Cryson looked eagerly. Liolith was indeed looking at them, but she glared--at Elsbeth.
"That was sooooo not nice," Cryson growled. "I’ll get you for that." He lunged toward Elsbeth who, with a 'Squeeeeeee!' and a laugh, was off and running.
"Don’t you be after hurtin’ our daughter!" Alvaro shouted.
“I’ll save her!” Liaylaha set off chasing Cryson. Sonetshea was sure mayhem would follow and was sad to be missing it, but a little boy named Sean was a bit more important. Liolith winked and waved her off and Sonetshea chuckled while she obeyed.
The trio separated at the mobiles and started off. Sonetshea followed Alvaro and Bliztarf for a bit. Then, with a wave, passed them at their turn-off. She reached the city, but was temporarily confused by direction. Mobiles weren’t allowed in 'Murder Row', and frankly she didn’t want another trip through there, but it was the only way she knew to get back to the 'civilian' complex. "Now how do I get to the Game Complex," she pondered aloud.
She yelped when the automated voice responded. Of course there was the automated voice response, she chided herself. How could she have forgotten that little detail.
"This mobile contains an automated driving option, or, if the driver prefers, an automated voice direction system, to help passengers find their way to various activities or locations throughout the length of Azdromadarim. Would the mobile occupant like to use either of these features?"
Sonetshea rolled her eyes. "Yes the mobile occupant would like to use one of these features," she replied with heavy sarcasm. "Let’s go with...automated driving. Take me to the Game Complex please." She shook her head and rolled her eyes again, grinning for saying 'please' to a machine, but laughed at an equally polite response.
"It would be my pleasure."
After a short drive, Sonetshea was parked before a familiar door. "Will the occupant require further use of this mobile?"
Sonetshea realized that she’d given that no thought. "Yes, I do require further use."
"This mobile will remain at this location indefinitely for your use. Thank you for using the automated driving system. Have a nice visit."
"Thank--you," she finished lamely. She hopped out and entered the 'quarantine' section. The identity pad oozed from the wall, which Ophelia thought was a very cool special effect. She placed her hand on it, and the door cycled open with its unusual light show.
"You may now enter the access corridor," a female mechanized voice said pleasantly.
The corridor was a bit disorienting with all the whirling colors and Ophelia would have liked it toned down a bit, but it really was spectacular. She walked out of the passageway and its door closed silently. She paused beside the table where she’d signed her papers and realized in chagrin she’d forgotten which room she was staying in. Inspired, she pulled out her Epic Card. Let’s give it a shot, she thought. "Which room is mine?"
"Your room, Mrs. Ransom, is #30, three doors up and to the left."
"Thank," she sighed. "You."
"You’re welcome."
She shook her head. Well if the machines were going to be polite back, what could courtesy to them cost her?
She walked the short distance to her door, then slid her card into its security lock. Once inside, she whistled at its contents. The room was bigger inside than the spacing between doors on the outside led one to believe. A nice sitting room with a very comfy couch and matching arm chairs filled the space with homey cheer. Down a short hallway, she saw through an open door a bathroom, but first she was drawn to the kitchenette. There was a coffee maker. While she didn’t actually drink coffee, the machine was great for heating water for cocoa. She set it up, turned it on, and went to find the bedroom where hopefully her purse was located. While getting outfitted with her wardrobe this morning, Letty had talked her into letting a valet move her car into long term parking and having her luggage brought. It was a perfectly safe service since, she was assured, the employees were bonded.
Her purse sat on the very beautiful teak dresser. The bed looked dreamy with scrumptious filmy silk draping an ornate headboard and oh such yummy fluffy pillows. Liolith had seen to their bedding at the camp and it looked comfy, but boy it wouldn’t have been a hardship to stay here. The bedroom had a private bath as well and after her call, she’d make use of that for sure.
She searched inside her purse and triumphantly yanked out her cell. Rats, rats and rats again! The battery was dead. Grrrrrr. Why did she always forget to charge the thing?
It was then it struck her that there were no suitcases. She opened the closet and found her clothes neatly hung. Soooo her charger must be in a drawer? Ah, the night table. She found an outlet and plugged it in. Nine p.m. was almost here. Sigh. Pay phone it is, she thought glumly. The charging chord was too short to use her phone. Sigh. She always planned to get a longer one, but then would forget to buy it. Also, if her phone was discharged...yep her ear piece was dead too. Fine. Whatever.
She hastily changed into jeans, t-shirt, and running shoes, made sure she had her Epic Card, grabbed her purse, turned off the coffee machine, thinking longingly of her now delayed hot choc fix, and headed out to the real world.
She walked through the huge game room and felt oddly estranged. Culture shock, she realized. She was feeling culture shock. The real world no longer felt familiar. As much as she wanted to talk with her son, she wished she was back in fantasy land. That place oddly felt more like 'home' now.
"Hey! Hey Sonet! Hey wait up!"
Ophelia turned to see a familiar cap of curly fire-red hair making its way to her. "Hiya Roc!" she said happily. "How’d it go today?"
"Took a raid into the Salt Mines. Started with forty, the wimps left after one death--as usual--" they chorused. "So the hardcore left were about twenty or so. Took us four hours, but we capped the boss! He dropped the sword and the mount! I got the mount!"
"WOOOHOOOO!" Ophelia high fived him. "One of the few--and the brave!" he finished the salt mine motto with her.
"Yeah, it was awesome! Hey, hey, so what was your day like?"
"Well, let’s seeeee. As you can see my character is an elf. I helped defeat a boss, rescued a damsel, and oh, bought a palace. And I won a grand prize that let’s me stay an extra week!"
"WOOOOT!" Ophelia was on the receiving end of a high five. "I can’t wait! One more year and I can get my own ticket!"
Ophelia laughed. "Listen, I’d like to chat more, but I’m a little late checking in with my son. If I don’t call him, he’s likely to have the police raid
the place, so I’ll catch you later?"
"He’d really do that?" Rocketfuel chuckled.
"HA!" Ophelia scoffed. "He thinks he’s the adult in our relationship." She paused in thought. "He could be right. I mean, look where I am?"
Rocketfuel chortled. "I’m never growing up myself. Kay, catch ya later. Good journey."
"Good journey." Ophelia exited the game complex and walked through the lobby to the bank of pay phones along one wall. Thankfully, they used credit cards and she fished out her debit card, dialed her son, and waited eagerly for the voice on the other end.
“Hello?” her son asked cautiously.
“It’s me.”
"Mom! Hi! What’s with the new number?"
"Hiya kiddo. How was your first day?"
"It was great—what’s that noi--you forgot to charge your phone again. Don’t roll your eyes at me, Mom. Admit it."
Ophelia, who had indeed been rolling her eyes, conceded. "Yes I forgot. Even after you repeatedly reminded me. It’s on the charger now."
"Uh huh."
"Okay, who’s the parent here young man?"
"Looks like me, right now."
Ophelia laughed. "Tell me about your day."
"Mom! The surprise guest speaker today was Irving Templeton! I learned more about music theory in one minute from him than a whole semester with Mr. Preston back home.! And I have the coolest roommate. Ever."
Ophelia listened to her son’s happiness and closed her eyes in gratitude. They were so fortunate to have this opportunity. So fortunate. Drew should have been here to enjoy these successes.
"So how’d your day go?" Sean wound down to ask.
"Oh. Well. I have some bad news for you, Sean. Don’t take this hard but...you know that extra weeks’ stay the music program offered? Well, you’re gonna have to accept it."
"What?! What?!" Sean’s voice cracked up in a squeaky pitch. "You’re not joking me? I can stay?"
"Yes. I knew you’d be disappointed. Try not to let it upset you."
"Mo-om cut it out. Really? I can stay."
Ophelia laughed and relented. "Yes. You really can. I won a Grand Prize that includes an extra week. My room and food is included; I’m basically staying for free, so lets splurge a little. We can manage."
Ophelia took the phone from her ear as a Victory Yell blasted her. Sean, of course, excitedly shared his fortune with his new friends, and then all had to cheer again and bounce around an idea or two. Ophelia was forgotten, but she didn’t mind. This was Sean’s time for dreams coming true. Her time for being young was gone.
"So you won the Grand Prize, huh?" Sean was abruptly back. "What’s it like there?"
"Oh my gosh, Sean! The Theme Park is huge! They fix you up with a wardrobe—I’m wearing some mag ears, I tell ya--and then they let you loose and no one is allowed to talk about the 'real world'. I put a criminal in jail today and helped a little boy and his mother find their dad/husband who was being held captive. And, are you ready for this? They made me the queen of the land. I beat out a guy by two minutes. He had to take a pee." Sean laughed gleefully. "I’m part owner of an actual Palace. Plus, there’s something you should really know.... Son, you’re not an only child anymore; you have a sister and her name is Elsbeth. Unfortunately for you, she’s the older child at sixteen."
They talked back and forth for another twenty minutes, then Sean needed to get ready for bed since lights were out at ten p.m.. They confirmed they’d talk again the next day and hung up.
Ophelia sat for a moment thinking. She was too wired to return to her room and she didn’t feel like the company of others yet. She decided a walk would do the trick and headed for the exit. She’d explore a little bit. She’d never been to L.A. before and weren’t movie stars supposed to be running thick enough to trip over here?
A tram ferried patrons direct from the theme park through a couple miles of parking lot directly to the boulevard facing it. It ran back and forth every fifteen minutes and she was just in time to catch the outbound run. Once on the boulevard, a transit bus stop and a taxi queue were available for transportation across the street. She crossed with the light, then stood debating which mode of travel she felt like taking.
She’d just decided to splurge on a taxi when a tall man in a dark suit carrying a briefcase approached her. He had dark brown hair cut in a military style that was parted and feathered toward the right. Brown eyes pierced her like a hawk about to snatch prey as he flashed a badge then said, "Ms. Ophelia Ransom? I'm Agent Mike Sterner, F. B. I.. I’d like a moment of your time, if you wouldn’t mind."
"And if I do?"
Sterner’s nostrils on his beak of a nose flared while he stared her down as he put his badge away inside his suit jacket.
"All right," she relented. "Let me see your badge again." With a put upon expression, he dug it out of his pocket. Before he could guess her intention, Ophelia whipped it out of his hand. They happened to be in front of a pastry shop and wouldn’t you know it? a policeman was inside. The only patron as it happened. She noted his name tag as she marched up to him and demanded his attention. "Officer Jenkins, could you call into dispatch and have them check to see if this badge is real, please?"
Immediately his black eyes became sharp. He glanced briefly at her ears, but didn’t comment. Instead, he looked suspiciously at Sterner who stopped to stand stiffly beside her--he was not happy.
"Look, Mrs. Ransom, we know who you are and I can understand your concern, but this isn’t necessary. I assure you--" Ophelia held up her hand for silence, giving Sterner an angry glare. Jenkins now turned a cautious glance upon Ophelia.
"Who are you?" he asked politely.
"I’m the widow of the son of a fabulously wealthy family. They think I’m a money grubbing harlot and they’ve tried to steal my son to take him away from me. I’ve been trying to stay off the radar in case they try anything, but occasionally they find me. Here’s my ID. You can check me too. Get the idea of where this is going?"
Jenkins nodded sharply and angled the F. B. I. badge for comparison of the photo with Sterner’s disgruntled expression. He radioed the badge number into dispatch for confirmation.
"Look Mrs. Ransom,” Sterner grated, his voice low with menace, “this has nothing to do with your in-laws--unless you choose to make it an issue."
"Are you threatening me?" Ophelia growled at Sterner. She turned to Jenkins. "He’s threatening me. That sound like a threat to you?"
"Sounds like if you don’t cooperate, they’re gonna tell your in-laws where you are. That’s harassment along with threatening. Could be some coercion in there too."
Ophelia turned to look smugly at Sterner. “Don’t threaten me. I know lawyers.”
Sterner threw up his hands in defeat and walked a short distance away.
Another man came into the pastry shop looking like an older twin of Sterner. Except he looked more tired...and irritated as he glanced at Sterner. He flipped his badge open, showed it to Ophelia, then handed it directly to Jenkins without comment.
“Agent Croften,” Ophelia acknowledged.
“We’d like your help on a missing person’s case, Mrs. Ransom. It involves the theme park.”
“Uh huh. Why me? I’m not the only winner in there.”
“Could we perhaps discuss this in private?”
“What’s so private the police can’t hear? Aren’t you working in cooperation with them?”
Crofton sighed. “Fine. We felt that since your own situation was so unique in this regard, you’d be more cooperative with helping us.”
“Translation,” Jenkins said grimly. “They don’t have anything to hold over anyone and they don’t want the police involved. Badge numbers belong to who they say they are Mrs. Ransom.” Officer Jenkins returned the badges to the agents. "The badges numbers are real, but let’s see some ID please. Just to make sure."
Both agents produced identification with differing degrees of compliance. It was apparent that Sterner, the more angry of
the two, barely withheld his temper. Agent Crofton took out his wallet and extracted his driver’s license with exaggerated patience.
“Thank you, agents,” Jenkins said complacently. “Now, Mrs. Ransom, being a fine and upstanding citizen, would be thrilled to cooperate with the F. B. I. in any way she could. Right Mrs. Ransom? So let’s leave the threats out of the equation.”
Crofton nodded. “We just felt that since there was a child involved, we could gain your sympathy.”
“The F. B. I. working a case here my captain knows about? ‘Cause he didn’t mention any open F. B. I. operations near the theme park when my shift started and this is my regular beat.”
Agent Sterner ignored him. “A moment of your time, Ms Ransom. Now,” he demanded giving her the gimlet eye.
“Fine! But I’m getting a hot chocolate. And a donut. Prolly won’t taste good because of the company, but hey? Life isn’t perfect.” Ophelia was satisfied to see Agent Sterner grind his teeth. While she waited for her order, she overheard Officer Jenkins asking dispatch to patch him through to his captain. Uh oh. Someone might be in trouble.
After she collected her order, Ophelia settled defiantly at Officer Jenkins table and nibbled at her apple strudel.
“Ready to talk?” Crofton asked, seating himself reluctantly across from Jenkins.
Ophelia grinned cheekily. “Yep. Your partner’s pretty abrasive. You should try a different approach if you want instant cooperation.”
“And I would like that cooperation regarding the disappearance of several people,” Sterner remarked, looming over them like a Pitt Bull with raised hackles who was ready to bite if his target breathed wrong. “We have accounts of as many as a dozen people reported missing and their last place of known location was inside the premises of Azdromadarim’s recreation facilities. We observed you and several others this morning arrive with a golden tickets. That ticket let you inside the inner sanctum. You’re the first one we’ve been able to contact. We haven’t been able to get an agent inside. We’d like your help with our investigation.”