00033

Albert Zoeniga hurried with a shake for the tourist who sat upon a stool at the small food stand at the beach.

Kelli O’Mally cautioned Albert, "Easy, Al, don't go spilling it in your haste to serve the customer."

"Okay, Boss," he answered, slowing down to a safer pace.

The next customer who arrived turned out to be Osmo Martin. Osmo and Albert greeted each other warmly and Albert asked, "What will you have, Sir?"

Osmo laughed at the “Sir.” “I will have a veggie energy drink. How's the new job? It doesn't look like anything we talked about doing for a living back in school."

"It's only temporary," Albert Zoeniga assured him. He introduced Osmo Martin to Kelli. "She is a good friend, and she likes to help the people who need help when she can. I needed help- I needed a job. She got me this job.”

“Yup. I’m in good with the owner.” Kelli winked and went back to making an ice cream float with the fake ice cream that was the standard on the World of Hope.

“She’s the owner, isn’t she?” asked Osmo Martin.

“Yup.” Albert smiled at his little joke.

“Where's your other half?” asked Osmo. “I presume she's either doing volunteer duty again or getting ready for her trip back to Earth.”

"Both. Jane's saying good-bye to the patients at the hospital," Albert said. "And later tonight, a few of us are having a going-away dinner for her. It will be a tight squeeze, heheh, in my new, small apartment where we'll have the dinner. But we have to send her off in style. Hopefully, she won't take too long taking care of her business on Earth, so she can get back here."

"Hey, maybe tonight I can come here after you get off work and meet you so you can show me your new 'palace'."

"Yeah, that’s a good idea. I like my palace. It might not be the same as Hope Hotel, but it’s comfortable. I don't feel right living anymore at the hotel as a guest of... well, you know. But, actually, palace isn't quite the word to describe my new home.”."

"Hey!" Kelli protested. "It's a nice neighborhood. Hardly anybody gets murdered there!"

Albert and Osmo laughed, until they saw she was dead serious.

Albert Zoeniga offered, "If you want to, come to the dinner, Osmo, I can tell them to set up another chair of honor, since you, also, are scheduled to leave tomorrow."

Osmo Martin answered, "Well, now, that's another thing-"

But Albert drifted off into his own thoughts, not listening. He sighed. "I already miss her, and Jane didn’t even leave for Earth yet!”

Osmo Martin nodded sympathetically. "Don't worry, at least you won't have to miss me. I'm staying here, too- like you are."

Albert set down his beverage. "You're kidding. Right? You aren't kidding! I am very surprised to hear that, Osmo. What is the occasion? You miss me that much?"

"Yeah, right, that's the reason- I start my new job tomorrow, and so I won't be able to go with you to the rocketport to see off Jane. I know it will be a terrible disappointment for Jane. Well, I won't technically be starting the job, yet, but only the training."

Curious, Albert Zoeniga asked, "So what's the new job? Tell me already, buddy!"

Osmo Martin, with pride, told him, "You are looking at the newest member of Gov. Bright's Security Team. I shall be a Security Agent!"

Hearing such news, Kelli gasped and she dropped the dessert she was carrying for the another customer.

The news caught Albert Zoeniga by surprise as well, and he didn't like it. "What?! Why, Osmo, why?” Albert suddenly remembered to keep his voice hushed, but he continued, clearly upset. “I told you before that Gov. Bright is not a good man. And you can't trust him. The more I had thought about it after we had discussed him before, the surer I became that I am right, and that he is... well, oppressive, to say the least.”

“Whoa, just a minute, now," Osmo cut him off. "He can't be as bad as all that. Did you see the wonderful memorial he maintains for my Mom?"

"Yes, Jane and I saw it when we first got here. I asked you if you wanted to come with us, but you weren't ready. Remember? I admit Gov. Bright has some good points. Most people do. But he- you know how those whom he doesn't like keep vanishing."

Osmo Martin scowled. "Look, Al, first of all, nobody's perfect. You know that. Isn't that part of the Four Spiritual Laws you tell me about? So, give the Governor a break. Second, you know better than to believe all this gossip that blames everything bad on Gov. Bright. He keeps the citizens safe. That’s what occupies his mind for hours on end most days, how to make life better here on this planet in the middle of nowhere. And now, I will be helping him. I will be leaving the hotel also. I will be headquartered at the Security Agency building, in their living quarters, at least for now. I think I can learn a lot from the Governor, since the Governor’s House will be nearby.”

“But, Osmo-“

“Do you see how nice Sheila is? Do you think if he were so terrible, she would be such a good woman?"

Kelli O’Mally tried not to gape at the misplaced adulation. She forced herself to keep quiet and take care of the newly arriving customers.

Albert Zoeniga, meanwhile, shook his head in dismay. "Oh, Osmo, I don't know if Sheila even knows how bad her Uncle can be. Of course, he won't let her see his bad side, if he can help it. He tries to control everybody- and not without malice, if they don’t comply-“

Osmo Matin argued, "But Sheila knows about all the good he does; she see his good side, and all the good he does, and she tells me about it. He does his best to see that everyone is provided for. He and Security Leader Clyden and the Security Agents keep law and order on this planet. Can't you see, Gov. Bright is good for the World of Hope."

Kelli still kept silent, but she listened, with heaviness of heart for Albert's confused friend.

Albert persisted, concerned for Osmo Martin’s naivety, "I honestly don't think he can be trusted, Osmo. I think he's a bit too much of a pragmatist. He also seems a bit edgy, if you know what I mean. I met him at the hospital, and he put on a pleasant smile, but I could feel it was not the truth. I concede, with him in charge there is a certain type of order, but law I am not as certain about. Think, my friend, before you take this job."

Annoyed, Osmo Martin growled, "I did think. And then I said yes to the job. What do you think, that I just accepted it without considering the matter? As for the Governor being untrustworthy, well, he's not the one who hides in the dark. Look at the house church that you mention from time to time. Keeping everything secret, staying in the shadows. Why? What do you have to hide? Very seldom does anyone go public about being in that house church. I know you guys are not up to anything bad, but if I wanted to, going by some tales I hear, I could make false accusations the way you guys do about Sheila's Uncle."

Kelli O’Mally finally spoke up. Well, anyway, she spoke in a loud but discrete whisper. "Mr. Martin, the reason the house church stays out of the public eye is because the Governor, for some reason, persecutes the house church. I think it rattles him that some obey a Higher Authority than him. Already the church has lost Billy Bob. And some others besides him. But we think we know where they are.”

Osmo Martin chucked his hands up in the air. He pushed aside his drink. "Oh, I figure, Ma’m, you must also be in that church, huh? Well,frankly, you two don't know what you're talking about. I can't believe what I am hearing. Maybe this Billy Bob just got mugged and his body dumped somewhere- Sorry to be so blunt, but you know stuff like that happens, no matter where one is at, whether here or on Earth. And I can't believe I am hearing such concerns and suspicions from you, Albert, what with only gossip to back up the accusations. It seems to me like we see things too differently these days. It doesn't seem like we are able to get past the Governor. You're not the Albert I once knew."

"Agreed. And you are no longer the Osmo that went to school with me."

Osmo Martin nodded. "True. I am learning to become a man who now accepts the responsibilities and practical realities of life. I suggest you think about doing the same."

"Which is exactly what I am doing," Albert Zoeniga countered.

Neither spoke for a minute. Osmo Martin took his drink and finished it. He set the empty glass aside. "Well, if that's all you have to say about my new job, I guess I will be heading back to my rooms at the hotel. I must pack things so I can move to the new place tomorrow after training. And I will leave you guys now, because I need a good night's rest, so I can give my best effort to this training that starts tomorrow morning, so I can learn how to be a good Security Agent and keep the people of the World of Hope safe. See you around, Al."

"Okay. Take care, then," Albert Zoeniga replied.

Albert and Kelli watched Osmo go. Albert sighed. He turned to Kelli. "I don't suppose he will be coming back after my shift is done, to see my new apartment."

"I suppose not, Al," she said.

(c) drk 2011