00059

During the next few days, Sheila Bright tried to soothe her anger over the stunt the protesters pulled during her Uncle's speech for the anniversary of Sparkle City. She and Osmo Martin went bowling. They went to the Tourist Trap. They did this and they did that. And yet, it still ate away at her. How could Mrs. McCleer betray Uncle Xavier like this? And how could Osmo's friends Albert and Jane do the same, and be a part of that group that Mrs. McCleer (probably the instigator) stirred into such unbecoming action? Who knows, maybe using drugs explained it all.

Well, there was one therapy for her anger she hadn't yet tried- shopping! Since Osmo's ankle still mended, and anyway, who wants to take a man along when shopping for shoes, she invited Mita Morgan to accompany her on a spree. (Maybe time away from Osmo Martin would prove profitable for Sheila, she reasoned, because, while he never condoned what his two friends did, yet he never really condemned their deeds very strongly, either. Naturally, that irritated Sheila, too. After all, it was her Uncle whom these trouble-makers continued to oppose!)

X-9 joined the ladies. The robot’s new assignment- as Sheila Bright’s personal butler- actually had been an old job of the robot, back when Sheila was much younger.

Sheila Bright didn't give him much attention, not like the way Mrs. McCleer had. He followed dutifully behind them.

Sheila and her friend, carrying many bags and boxes of shoes and purses. Sheila and Mita Morgan visited every shop along the plaza, and it was a given that each of the girls would buy at least one pair of shoes or a purse at each of these places. The robot seldom spoke, patiently waiting every time while they tried on dozens of styles of shoes before finally selecting a pair. 

Sheila complained as she and Mita Morgan did this, that here on the World of Hope shoe supplies and selections and styles were, unfortunately, too limited.

Each new store lessened Sheila's foul mood. She complained less and less, and, instead of complaining, she told Mita of all the positive accomplishments of her Uncle, Gov. Bright. This was one of Sheila's favorite topics, and one which she knew a lot about. But she held on to some of her complaining mood, nevertheless.

"Imagine, Mita, how Mrs. McCleer and Jane Ashton are so, so in the wrong, and don't realize it. I think my Uncle does whatever needs to be done for the good of the World of Hope, and if some citizens go bad, they pay the consequences. It is that simple. So, his approach is misconstrued in a bad light, and Uncle Xavier is made into a bad man. But I also think Mrs. McCleer is crazy, due to her loss, but that doesn't excuse her for backstabbing Uncle Xavier- nor does it excuse Al and Jane, for that matter. My Uncle has done so much for the people, and those Earthers won’t recognize this. Look how Earth never sends enough robots, so Uncle Xavier must take the robots that are supposed to be doing things like garbage and recycling collection, and instead he uses them in other places where they are more needed, like being guards at the mines or working with hazardous materials in the Enviro-Gens. Of course, the streets look a bit ratty here and there, and the sanitation is lacking, yes, but the fuel ore is being mined, and our climate is becoming more and more friendly for us."

Mita Morgan empathized. She had heard all this before, when Sheila had told Osmo Martin the same things time and again, many times, but she agreed with her whole-heartedly. "Some folks just have no common sense, Sheila. I don't know what accounts for it, but some people are dumb as rocks! Oh, what I wouldn't give for some chocolate right about now."

"Good idea," Sheila Bright agreed. "Too bad we finished the chocolates Osmo had gotten me for my birthday. Let's buy some more. And let's find a place to sit for a bit. My back's killing me. I guess it's good we are getting new shoes- my old shoes must be wearing out and that's why my back hurts. I know of a place in the seedier section of town. It's near the sea, and almost as old as Sparkle City itself."

"Sounds wonderful. The sea is very relaxing. Let's go!"

Sheila and Mita found Sheila’s truck and X-9 dumped their wares into the vehicle. All three got in, and Sheila Bright peeled out, heading for the tiny, rundown shop near the sea.

In the locality of the shop, many of the nearby buildings exhibited much signs of wear and tear. In the early days, many buildings here were made of whatever was on hand. Native rock, so plentiful all about, had been quarried from the nearby hills and mountains to the west to provide much of the construction material. However, a very large building in the background, next to the sea, proved the exception, having been made mostly of pre-fabricated materials brought from Earth. At one time the building must have looked very efficient and cost-effective, but now it sagged and rotted tin the open air adjacent to the large Sea of Fun, which, incidentally, was now full of breeding fish- those imported from Earth, and also new species fashioned here on Hope.

Sheila Bright tried to ignore the annoying structure by the relaxing sea. A blight even on this rundown neighborhood!

The two young women entered the chocolate shop. Ah, now here was a true delight! They bought some candy bars and got some mochas and sat at a small cafe-style table and chatted. X-9 stood by, listening, awaiting for any orders to help in any way he could. Mita Morgan sipped her cup. "Mmmm. I haven't had anything this good since the day I came here on the Space Dart- Hey-" She spit out the mocha in surprise, jumping up from her seat and staring out the grimy, streaked shop window at the pedestrian traffic along the walks in front.”

“What- what is it, Mita?" Sheila Bright hopped up also and peered out the pane, puzzled. "I don't see anything. Just the everyday people going about their daily routines. And a really dirty window that needs cleaning."

"See that lady in the blue sweater? I know her. When Albert Zoeniga invited me to help out at the hospital awhile back, he and Jane introduced me to some other volunteers, including that lady there. I think her name is Francis. Anyway, he let it slip and mentioned that she attended some church he went to. I bet she is one of them, one of the trouble-makers. She might even know where the whole gang of them congregate! This could be a big break in catching them!"

"Let's make a citizen's arrest, then, and get Security Leader Clyden to find out!” said Sheila Bright. She shot out the door. Mita followed. The ladies left behind their chocolates and mochas at the table. X-9 gathered up their stuff and hastily left the shop, right behind the pair.

Mita Morgan and Sheila Bright saw Francis turn down an alley. They also turned down that way, and were surprised to see that so many vendors had set up booths and kiosks there in this unfamiliar passageway- no doubt without the proper permits. But that couldn't concern them now. They tried to keep up with Frances, but she had had a big lead on them. Still, she seemed to be unaware they tailed her, but she must be a fast walker, very fast. She turned to the left. They kept her in view. X-9 kept them in view, rushing to keep up with them.

After several twists and turns, Sheila and Mita rounded another corner, and came to a dead end, and yet they could swear Francis had gone this way, but now she was gone. X-9 caught up with them, as they were discussing this perplexing outcome of events.

"Where did she go? Where can she be?" wondered Sheila Bright.

"I suspect she knew we followed her, and shook us somehow off her trail,” suggested Mita Morgan.

"Here are your chocolates, ladies. I made sure to bring them with us," X-9 informed them.

"Good, X-9, at least that's something." Not really panting, since she kept in shape, nonetheless Sheila breathed heavily, annoyed all over again, thinking of the house church group and their illegal activities and protests. "Now we must find our way back to the truck."

"If you fear getting lost, I am sure I can find it for you, Ma'm," X-9 told her.

But Sheila Bright located her truck herself after about five minutes of searching. Mita took a chocolate bar from X-9 and chewed it. She said, "What do you make of that, Francis got away! What bad luck is that?!"

Frustrated, Sheila answered, "Let's change the subject. That little jog got us nowhere, and now I am all mad again, thinking of Mrs. McCleer's treachery. I want to instead think on pleasant things."

"Okay, Sheila, I know where you're coming from."

X-9 was about to say, Of course you know where she is coming from; we just came from there- but then the robot realized Miss Morgan merely used an idiomatic phrase, and luckily stopped himself in time from commenting.

When the girls returned to the mansion, X-9 retrieved all their things from the truck while Sheila and Mita went on ahead into the Governor’s House.

Mita Morgan smiled when she saw Security Leader Clyden in the hall with Gov. Bright and Osmo Martin, going over security matters. She greeted Tretl Clyden with a big hug that made Clyden uncomfortable.

Sheila said "Hi" to everybody and grabbed some boxes and purses from X-9 as he came in. She hurried upstairs and try on some outfits and see how her newly purchased accessories brightened her new outfits. "X-9, bring up the rest of my things, please,” she ordered on the way up the steps.

"Yes, Ma'm.”

Sheila Bright rightly assumed Mita wouldn't join her immediately, because Mita Morgan wanted to greet Sec. Ldr. Clyden first.

Clyden asked Osmo, meanwhile, "Is your ankle better? When are you going to be able to get back to regular duty?"

"It feels fine, now, Sec. Ldr. Clyden. I think I can go back to regular duty anytime," Osmo Martin replied.

"That's good news," said Gov. Bright. He asked Mita, "Have you ladies had a nice day of shopping?”

“Oh, yes, it was a nice day," she answered. She said nothing about chasing Francis, but she inquired, "What is that big old claptrap building in that seedy area, where there are the older, original buildings and homes from when Sparkle City began?"

Gov. Bright found her question interesting. "Why, Mita, I didn't realize you were that interested in the history of Sparkle City. How refreshing. I wish Sheila felt more concern for the history of our fair city, instead of merely enjoying the here and now. Unless it's a story about something I did to help make our little world better, I suspect she couldn't care less."

X-9, meanwhile, had paused at the foot of the staircase, listening to what Miss Morgan had to say. Why did she ask about that old building? Why did that concern Miss Morgan? What if- that was where that Francis- and Mrs. McCleer- were holding secret meetings with the church group? If he were human having illegal meetings, that’d be the place to use. Perhaps this Francis ducked into the large, sagging building to lose the tailing young women- Was that idea in Miss Morgan’s brain- and was it why Miss Morgan asked? And- why did it concern X-9? He was only a robot, after all. But he realized he felt concern for Mrs. McCleer.

Did he- - have Seymour's Syndrome, that robot disease?

From above, Sheila Bright called, "X-9, where are you?! Bring me my shoes and purses!”

“Yes, Ma'm, right away, Ma'm." The robot hurried up the steps, carrying the packages.”

(c) drk 2012