CHAPTER 170: Moving Out

 

"Well, we're almost packed up...let's get the last few boxes into the truck and then we'll head off to our new home!" said Neil, with a trace of excitement in his voice.

Suzy looked around the nearly empty house she'd been living in these last six months and sighed. "Yeah, goodbye old house.  Goodbye groovy wallpaper, goodbye kitchen...oh, Neil, we forgot to pack up the coffee machine!"

"Relax, honey, I'll put it in a box and put it in the truck." he said, reassuringly.  "Are you very anxious about our house move?"

"A bit...it's funny:  I'm supposed to be this up to the minute, it-girl who's into the latest things and yet I feel nostalgic for this old place.  This is my first home as an independent woman, away from Mom and Dad and I grew fond of here."

Neil held her in his arms and looked into her bright blue eyes.  "I know.  I went from the family home to art school to a bunch of short term and cheap garrets until I met you.  This place has fond memories for me as well but we're going to make a whole bunch of new ones...together...in our new house." and with that he gave her a reassuring kiss on the cheek.

The last things were packed up and whatever they didn't want to take with them got left behind.  As they left the house and stood on the porch, Suzy turned around to look into the house one last time.  Closing the door was an act of finality:  Onwards to the new.

It was a short drive to their new home and they arrived there early enough to help the removal guys unpack the truck and unpack all the furniture to put it into place.  The previous week Suzy and Neil had hired painters and decorators to paint and carpet the place.  Now they were ready to begin the next chapter of their lives.

"It looks great!" said Suzy, looking around the house.

"Well, it was bound to with an artist and a fashion expert in charge" replied Neil, with a smile.

"Let's relax in our new home!" she added.

The living room was designed to Suzy's tastes:  Mod style with white walls and furnishings and black highlights.  Neil joked that she could camouflage herself whenever she wore her favourite black and white outfit.  Meanwhile he was pleased at how his sketches for the new place had been implemented by the decorators.

"How about we admire our new abode over a cup of Joe?" he asked.

"Sounds good to me" replied Suzy.

As they sat on their brand-new couch sipping some freshly ground coffee Suzy stretched out her legs and took in the surroundings.

"Do you know I think this is the kind of place suitable for my current status with work" she said.  "I can see myself entertaining the editor, interviewing celebrity guests, that kind of thing." 

"I can just see you swapping jokes with Twiggy in this room" joked Neil.  "I wonder what I'll be doing now...working in a shop isn't cutting it anymore."

"You got promoted not long ago to assistant manager" said Suzy.

"Yeah, but I want to develop my painting more.  I've sold 3 more of my works in the last month...I now earn just as much money from painting than I do at the shop.  Plus, two split shifts keeps us apart too much...I want more time with you, darling.  How many chances to we get to go out on a date these days when I have to work an early morning plus an early evening shift?"

"I would love to spend more time with you...and, hey, I'm a follow your dream kind of girl."

"You certainly are!  Anyway, I'm still rostered on for today and I'll have to get ready for my first shift so I'll give it some thought.  Before I go, I want to christen our new sink!"

"Are you going to be this reverential with all our appliances?"

"Behold!  Hot water on demand!" 

"Oh my hero!" Suzy exclaimed sarcastically.  "The wonders of plumbing!  What next?  Ode To The Floor?"

"You might jest..." said Neil, wagging his finger playfully at her.

"Thanks, I will" she replied.

"I'm going to get changed now" said Neil, changing the subject.  "What are you up to today?"

"I'm going to finish off an article and then do some sketches for the fall fashion issue of "Hey, Wow!" Suzy replied.

"Well, all the best with that"

"I tell you what, Neil, this street is a lot quieter than our old one.  I can't hear any passers-by out there"

"Then have a productive, and quiet, day...I'll see you later" he said, getting up and kissing her cheek.

Suzy then settled down in their new study...finally, she lived in a house that had a study...and began typing up her next article.

If anything, the current trends are only going to become more accepted in the mainstream and that American designers can compete with European ones...

Her writing was interrupted by the sound of the new doorbell ringing and the muffled sound of a woman's voice shouting "Coo-eeee!"

"So much for a peaceful neighbourhood..." muttered Suzy to herself.  She stopped typing, stood up and went to see who it was at the door.

"Hello neighbour!" said a very exuberant Eliza Pancakes on the front porch.  Right behind her was the slient figure of her husband, Bob.

"Hello, this is a nice surprise" replied Suzy.  "Come on in, I'll show you what we've done to the place."

"Oh I can't wait to see!" exclaimed Eliza.  Bob seemed more circumspect, so Suzy had to do a bit more coaxing to get him to step inside.

 "I am loving it already!" said Eliza, clapping her hands.  "This is so you...the black and white, the sleekness of it all.  It's all so mod!"

"That was the intention" replied Suzy.

Bob was looking around as well but less at the decor and more at the large stereo system they had.

"Hey, this is a good model...do you mind if I switch it on to check the sound?" he asked.

"Sure" said Suzy "I'm not sure how it switches on yet"

"I got it; used one of these babies before" said Bob.

"YEAH!  TOTAL SOUND!" Bob said, excitedly.

"Bobby...would you turn that down a little?  Suzy and I can't hear each other speak!" said Eliza.

Bob muttered something and turned the volume down.

"Oh this place is just divine!  I want to be nosey and look all around!" said Eliza, jumping to her feet and scuttling off down the hall.  That left Suzy with Bob and she tried to engage him in some light conversation.

"So........how's the baby?  His name is Armand, isn't it?" said Suzy; her opening line.

"Sure is...he's OK." said Bob, nodding.

"And where is he today?"

"At home...with a babysitter.  Say, I'm a bit hungry.  Do you have anything to eat?  Just a little snack will do?"

"Erm yeah, some little bits...we haven't gone shopping yet but I think there's a slice or two of cake in the fridge" said Suzy.  Bob didn't seem like a man of many words but the paunch of his stomach told her he was a man of much eating.

SLAM! Went the fridge door as Bob slammed it a little too hard.  Eliza came striding into the living room to see what the cause of the noise was.

"Bobby Pancakes!  Treat our neighbours' house with a little more respect!" she said, scolding her husband.

"Dang it, woman!  This is a solid and well-built appliance!  I know what I'm doing." he gave a surly reply.

"I doubt that...and you've still got the stereo on way too loud!"

"Quit nagging me, Liza!  I'm warning you!"

"Oh you're warning me, are you?  Ooh, I'm scared" she said, sarcastically.

The tension in the room suddenly ramped up and Suzy felt anxious sitting between the feuding Pancakes.  

"How about I make us all a coffee?" she asked, both as a way of trying to calm things down but also to give her an excuse to get out of being in between them.

"Got any more cake?" asked Bob.

"I'll see...Eliza, coffee...or...cake?" asked Suzy, nervously.

Eliza shrugged her shoulders but said nothing.  Suzy took her chance and scampered off to the kitchen whilst Eliza sat down in a chair that was opposite the couch.  Bob looked at his wife and saw she was upset...he didn't know what to do so he made an awkward attempt at flirting to try and make amends.

Eliza just gave an indignant huff and turned her head away.

Suzy returned a few minutes later with coffee and more cake.  "Eliza, wouldn't you be more comfortable on the sofa?" she said, not wanting to be in the middle of those two.  Eliza got up and sat down next to Bob whilst Suzy sat in the single chair opposite them.  Bob didn't seem happy about the seating change.

"So...Bob was telling me a little about Armand?  How is parenthood, Eliza?" asked Suzy.

"Busy, busy, busy!" Eliza replied.  "Has Bobby told you about our babysitter?  Oh she's wonderful!  She makes little Armand giggle; it's so cute...you must come and see him again, I think he likes you." replied Eliza.

"He likes anyone who gives him milk" said Bob.

There was a bit more chat about things that wouldn't set the Pancakes off and then Neil returned home.

"Oh, hi Eliza and Bob...how's it going?  What do you think of our new home?" he asked the guests.

"We love it!" said Eliza.

"It's pretty neat" said Bob.

"You've got a nice place" remarked Neil.  "So...what else is new with you guys?" he added.

"Oh this and that..." replied Eliza.  "...mainly the baby though"

"Always the baby!" added Bob.

"I can imagine" said Neil.

"No you can't...unless you've experienced it, you can't imagine..." replied Bob as though he was reliving some traumatic memory.

"But he keeps us on the go and, yes, it can be a lot of fun, can't it, Bobby....I said, CAN'T IT, BOBBY?" said Eliza.

"Oh yes...say, Neil, I dig your stereo system" said Bob, desperately trying to change the conversation to something guy related.

"Thanks, man" replied Neil.  "Go ahead, find something cool to play"

Bob scuttled off to have a bop whilst Eliza sat next to Neil.  "Do you know I don't think we've really gotten to know each other...I didn't actually meet you until the wedding.  I hope we can spend more time getting to know each other..." she said.

"Yeah, OK then." said Neil, innocently.  Suzy was out of earshot, however...

Neil made an excuse to clean up the plates and cake crumbs whilst Suzy re-entered the room and sat next to Eliza.

"It's certainly nice to move to a new neighbourhood and have people you already know there" said Suzy.

"Oh we're going to be in and out of each other's houses, I'm sure!" Eliza replied.

"Yes..." said Suzy, a slight hesitation to her voice.

Bob walked over to them and looked at his watch.  "We'd better be getting back, we're paying the babysitter by the hour" he said.

"Alright, Bobby, don't fret...anyway Suz, let's meet for coffee sometime soon" said Eliza.

"Sure thing" said Suzy.

"I'll just head back now and pay the sitter...you join me when you can pry yourself away.  Thanks for the cake, guys" said Bob.

After the Pancakes had left Neil and Suzy could, at last, get a bit of peace and quiet.

"They're quite full on, aren't they?" said Neil as he checked out a work in progress that was on the easel. 

"Eliza's got a heart of gold but she does come across as brash...Bob, I don't know so well but he seems like he carries the burdens of the world on his shoulders." replied Suzy.  "But they're our neighbours now..."

"I'll never complain about Action and Julia ever again" said Neil.  "How do you like this drawing?  It's just charcoal on canvass at the moment but I want to move from just doing landscapes to doing portraits"

"I love it!  And we get to work together in this room as well!  Me on my typewriter and you at your canvas"

"I'll work on this later...Right, I'm just going to get a bite to eat...that is, if Bob hasn't eaten us out of house and home.  Then I have to briefly pop into the shop to hand in my notice and work out my remaining time there." said Neil.

"You're serious, you're going to quit your shop job and turn full time artist?"

"Yep, made up my mind and I want to do this.  Are you OK with that?"

"I think that's wonderful news...your talent shouldn't go to waste." said Suzy, kissing him on the cheek.

That made Neil's day.

Once again Suzy found herself alone but only briefly...there was another knock on the door.  "Who is it this time?" she sighed.

It was a woman; an auburn haired, tall and slim woman in her late 20s who had an air of refinement about her.

"Hello, there" she said.  Her accent was English and sounded very upper crust, almost aristocratic.  "My name's Emma and I live just across the river there.  I see you've just moved in and I wanted to say hello."

"That's kind...you're English, aren't you?" asked Suzy.

"Correct.  I've only just moved to Sim City with my...erm...associate; Steed."

"Steed?  The name rings a bell...wait, I met a man named John Steed at the Humour and Hijinks Festival recently.  Dapper chap, wears sharp suits and a bowler hat?"

"That's the fellow.  So you've met Steed, eh?  Interesting..." said Emma with a wry smile.

"Well do come in...I still have some fresh coffee in the pot" said Suzy.

"I do say I like the decor here...did you choose all the furnishings?" said Emma, looking and sounding impressed at the surroundings.

"I did...I work in fashion and my husband is an artist so we chose all the decor and furniture with an eye for a total look." replied Suzy.

"I can tell you work in fashion; you're up to the minute in style." Emma said, looking Suzy up and down.  "That dress:  Cardin?  Quant?"

"J.C. Penney, I'm afraid.  I can't quite stretch to getting an original Quant." replied Suzy, sheepishly.

"But I love your boots!  I have the same pair...they have to be originals!"  Said Emma, showing off her white go-go boots which she wore with beige and tan pants.

"Yes, these I did get from a boot makers in Chelsea...but I had to mail order them though.  Did you get yours there?"

"In Chelsea, yes, it must have been the same boot maker.  So you're interested in Carnaby Street fashions, are you?"

"Oh yes!  I'd love to go there one day"

"It's worth it.  I used to go there every weekend before our work, that is, Steed and myself's work, took us to America."

"What line of work are you in, if you don't mind me asking, Emma?"

"Oh we're troubleshooters you might say.  We go wherever we're needed." was Emma's nonchalant and uninformative answer.

"And what about yourself, Suzy, what do you do in fashion?"

"I'm a fashion reporter for a magazine but I sometimes dabble in other kinds of journalism...you know, investigative."

"Wait, are you Suzy Kent?  I read your article about Malcolm Landgraab!  I found it very informative."

"Yes I am and thank you"

"You should do more investigative pieces...I'm sure there's a lot in Sim City that could do with an expose."

"Oh there is...I'm working on something right now but I need to get my facts straight with it because some of it sounds fantastical on the surface."

"Now that does sound interesting!" said Emma.

When Neil came home from his second shift he found Suzy with some strange Englishwoman sitting, laughing and conversing in their new study.

"Hello, Suzy, another visitor?" he said.

"Oh yes, this is Emma from across the river...she came to say hello.  Emma, this is Neil, my husband."

"Pleased to meet you: Suzy's had a lot of nice things to say about you." said Emma, with an effortless grace and charm that was accentuated by her accent.

"Well, I must be heading off now...no doubt Steed's got some problem that needs dealing with urgently and I must help him.  Goodbye, Suzy and Neil.  Lovely to meet you." she said, getting up to leave.

Once she had gone home Neil looked at Suzy and said "It's like a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company has graced our home."

"Now, now, she's lovely and such an interesting person...she's actually married to a test pilot but he went missing two years ago and no trace of him has ever been found!"

"This sounds like the basis for your next article..." he said, drolly.  

"Now let's lock the door, pretend like we're not in so no more people will disturb us, and let's snuggle down to some nice dinner and a cosy night in." she replied.

"I like the sound of that" said Neil.

"I'll just go and freshen up" she said, leaving the study and going to the bedroom.  There, she checked herself up and down in their new, large wall mirror.  She felt great and excited by their house move and after all the chaos of having visitors she had only one thing on her mind...Neil.

By way of coincidence, Neil had only one thing on his mind and it wasn't dinner... When Suzy sauntered back into the study he grabbed her by the waist and drew her close to him.

"Neil!  This is most unlike you!" she said.  "But I like it"

"Only you can get me all hot and not bothered at all" he replied.  "Let's skip dinner..."

CHAPTER 169: Downer

"Ewww, what's that smell?" asked Barbara, as she entered the kitchen to see Jeremy at the stove.  He was creating a lot of smoke cooking whatever it was, perhaps eggs?

"I might have put too much Tabasco in the eggs" he muttered as he looked on the frying pan with some concern.

"Tabasco?  In eggs!  Phht, you Americans shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a stove.  How about adding a touch more milk to the eggs before scrambling them so that they have a creamier flavour and texture to them?"

"I'll bow to your expertise." said Jeremy.

Barbara noticed that Jeremy wasn't his usual, cheerful self this morning and worried that something might be troubling him.  However, all attempts to get him to open up were met with small talk or shrugs and she concluded that whatever it was that was bothering him he didn't want to share it.  He didn't say much over breakfast either and avoided eye contact with her as well.

He was preoccupied with a lot of things in his mind.  He had broken the hold the Landgraabs had over his mind but he hadn't returned to his old self.  He was now more anxious, letting all kinds of thoughts bother him...and at the moment he was wondering how did he end up living with a gorgeous strawberry blonde who was always so kind, so affectionate and understanding whereas he was a bumbling, uptight nerd who wasn't so good looking?  Surely it was only a matter of time before someone better, smarter and more handsome would show up to whisk her away.  He had noticed that men started showing up at their house trying to either sell them something or promote a cause...and it was always Barbara that they spoke with, never him.  Babs was not quite 20 yet, she lived in a fashionable world that often went way over his head and the lure of more exciting adventures was surely just around the corner...

He had an adventure of his own this morning at work.  He intended to discover more about the Landgraab's brainwashing programme and knew the exact place to look for evidence.  Damn those two!  They opened up his eyes to a whole world of darkness and malevolence and struck at his core being.  Well, he'd show them but on the surface he had to act the loyal and dedicated employee whilst secretly he was committed to their downfall.  

Meanwhile Barbara was busy with work concerns of her own.  Business last week was brisk and so many of the mannequins needed dressing and the pace of change in the fashion world meant that she had to look at a vast swathe of fashion magazines, wholesalers and designers to make sure what she was selling was up to the minute.  She pushed her concerns about Jeremy out of her mind for now as she counted down the seconds to opening time.

Her first customers didn't fill her with much joy either:  A couple that kept on bickering about having to go shopping.  She wanted him to look smarter, he was resentful he was giving up his spare time to go clothes shopping.  As Barbara tried to help them find something suitable, the man wandered off gazing at nothing in particular whilst his girlfriend bad mouthed him.

"He's always like this when we have to do a 'must do' job.  His one suit...ONE...is full of moth holes and is about 10 years out of style, he'll wear the same shirt for days on end AND he wears odd socks!" she explained, at length.

"Well, let's see if we can find something he'll really like..." said Barbara, diplomatically.

"I doubt it" said the man, glumly.

"There you go again, Tony: Moan, moan, moan, complain, complain, complain..."

"Maybe if you didn't make every little thing such a drudge I wouldn't have so much to complain about, Keira!"

...it dawned on Barbara that it was going to be one of those days.

Meanwhile, over at the Landgraab Corporation building, Jeremy decided to do some snooping around during his mid-morning coffee break.  The room which contained the computer was the obvious destination:  Action had said he'd seen something suspicious in there.  Jeremy had only the very basic instruction on the machine, but he knew enough to start it up and try to find information on it.  He was well known and senior enough to gain access to the computer room without raising an eyebrow so all he had to do was supress his nerves and go there as if he were perfectly entitled to.

There was a clipboard with the start-up checklist for the computer lying on a desk nearby and Jeremy picked it up and followed each step meticulously.  Once the computer was up and running, he tried to find out whatever information about the brainwashing programme he could find.  He began by requesting a copy of his own employment file, so he filled in the requisite punch card, inserted it into the computer and waited while it did its work.

The results came out on the printer next to the computer, so Jeremy's next task was to request a complete floor plan of the entire building, especially the downstairs basement area.

The time on the wall clock told him he had only minutes to go before one of the regular staff members assigned to the computer room returned from their coffee break.  He found some files that looked promising and then filled in a punch card to get them printed off.

Meanwhile Barbara was trying to extricate herself from the bickering couple and she saw her chance when one of the young, fashionable set among the local high schoolers entered the shop.  Barbara tried to remember the young lady's name as she had seen her in the shop before:  She was a friend of regular patron Gillian Hills.  Collette, Catherine?  Ah, Collen!  That was it!

Barbara was only able to greet the teenager before she was pestered by the arguing couple again.  "I don't need a suit!" said the man.

"Yes you do!" said the woman"

"Don't!"

"Do!"

"Don't!"

"Do!"

And then they both went quiet; indignation written across their faces.  

Back at the Landgraab Corporation Jeremy returned to his desk after lunch to discover a small, sealed envelope on it.  It was unmarked so he opened it up not knowing what it was about or from whom.  Inside was a neatly folded sheet of writing paper which contained a simple, if cryptic, message.

Your actions are being observed, watch your back.

I have information that you seek.

Meet me at the tree...you know the one.  Tonight 7pm.

A friend.

Neil folded the letter, put it back in the envelope and quietly placed it in his inside jacket pocket.  Things were taking a strange turn once again...

Meanwhile the squabbling couple, Tony and Keira, had managed to patch up their differences momentarily and he had agreed to try on a few smart suits in exchange for only having to buy one and it was going to be 100% his choice.  Tony approached Barbara while his girlfriend was busy looking at all kinds of outfits.

"Listen, lady, I don't want you to waste any more time on me.  What's the best suit you have and I'll say I like it to keep Madam over there quiet and then we can exchange cash for goods and I'll be out of your hair?"

"Sounds good...step right this way, Sir, I think I have exactly what you want..."

In less than five minutes Tony had emerged wearing a double-breasted grey plaid suit, cut in the mod style.

"Are you sure this is good?" he asked Barbara, dubiously.

"This is top of the range, with it and cut in the classic Saville Row style with mod stylings.  Let's show your girlfriend"

Keira was, by now, sitting down on one of the shop's bench seats getting increasingly frustrated at how much of a fuss her boyfriend was kicking up.  However, when he emerged from the changing room she was stunned by how he looked...and she wasn't the only one:  Even Colleen, the teenage it-girl was impressed.

The couple were satisfied and wanted to buy the suit.  Barbara rang up the sale on the till and then got straight back to work trying to deal with the other customers.  Because she had taken up so much time with one client, she'd put the others on hold and now there was a backlog.  First up was one customer she really wanted to please:  Colleen...a good word from her and all her hip teenage friends would flock to the shop.

"Hello there, I'm Barbara and I own this shop...how can I help you?" asked Barbara.  

"Wow, fab, the owner!  Wow!  I'm impressed at what you've got here...my friend Judy says this shop is where it's happening!" replied the extremely pretty, green eyed and raven haired girl.  Barbara reckoned she would be fighting off the boys at school.

"Are you looking for something specific, like for a special occasion or just browsing?" said Barbara.

"Well, yeah...something a bit special.  In fact, something I saw in the window" replied Colleen.

"Ah, would that be the blue floral dress with orange sleeves?  The sky-blue chiffon cocktail dress or the black and white mod dress?" 

"None of those...I want...that!" and Colleen indicated a black lace Basque and stocking set.

"Erm...that's something we keep in stock for our more...erm, 'mature' customers" said Barbara, who thought the lingerie set was far too sexy and provocative for a high schooler.

"I'm almost 18!" exclaimed Colleen "and I need something like that for a special occasion" she added, coyly.

She's got a date with a cute guy lined up, I bet.  Thought Barbara.  However, there was no age restriction on lingerie so Colleen's money was as good as anyone else's and the sale was made.  A few customers, one in particular, thought it strange and suspicious that a young teenage girl was buying a racy set of underwear...

At nearly closing time Barbara was cheered to see Jeremy had stopped by instead of going straight home.  He looked nervous and ill at ease about something and she became concerned for him.  She announced to the remaining customers "I'm closing up shop in five minutes".

Then she turned her full attention to her boyfriend.  "Jeremy, lovely to see you.  You came by on your way home, sweet.  Are you OK?" 

He nodded.  "Yeah, sorry about being tetchy earlier: I have a lot on my mind"

"That's OK, Cherie, but you know you can talk to me about these things?" Barbara replied.

Jeremy looked to the ceiling and then to the floor.  He couldn't find the words to describe what was bothering him.  "It's that..." he began, stumbling over his words.  "Well, the other day at the party...and just now when I see you with the customers...you get on with people so well and there are all these cool, handsome guys around...and...I can tell they like you..."

"Jeremy, are you jealous?" she asked.

He didn't answer at once.  He looked down at the floor again and kicked his shoe against the carpet.  "Maybe..." he mumbled.  

Barbara stroked his arm gently.  "You shouldn't be...I love only you!" she said.

"It's that we don't spend as much time together anymore.  At the party you were in one room and I was in another and you were dancing with that Burr DeBenning..."

"I hardly know Burr." she replied.  "I was just being friendly to him as he is the one man in the world who's shyer than you!  You know, I'm saving a dance for you...a very special one"

"That's kind but I'm too exhausted to go to a nightclub tonight" he replied.

Barbara looked at him and battered her eyelashes at him, in a flirtatious way.  "I wasn't talking about actual dancing..." she said.

"Ohhhhh" said Jeremy, getting her point.

After shutting up the shop the two of them went home.  As they arrived at the front door Jeremy checked his watch and saw it was nearly 7pm and time for his clandestine meeting with a mystery person.  

"You go on in and I'll catch up with you soon...I'm just going for a brief walk around the block" he said to Barbara.  She looked confused.  "Don't worry, I'm just going to deal with something, but I'll be with you soon." he said, trying to reassure her.

Jeremy walked over to the tree and stood around, anxious as to who would show up.  Soon a man in a large, grey-blue jacket and sporting a goatee beard showed up and approached him.

"You Saint?" he asked.

"I'm Jeremy Saint...and you?"

"Darrin Lew, I work at Landgraab's as well.  So, I noticed you accessed the computer to retrieve some data that is strictly for upper management's eyes only!"

"How do you know that?" 

"Computers, unlike rifling through filing cabinets, keep a track on who's looked at what.  They're electronic stoolpigeons that way.  When I checked the system after lunch, I noticed the discarded punch cards and had the machine run them again to see what was accessed."

"OK, what's your angle on this?  If you thought it was a serious security breach then you'd have reported me already."

"True.  But I want to know what your angle is on this as well.  We could be working to the same end, or we could be working at cross purposes.  Which is it?"

"I want information on what's in the basement" said Jeremy.

"Did you find it?" asked Darrin.

"I did...what do you know about it?"

"I know all about it" said the mysterious Darrin Lew.  "And just to let you know, I don't like it either."

"That's reassuring to hear" said Jeremy.  "So why do you want to meet me tonight, and by this tree?  Do you know all about that as well?"

"I know some things about it...like how Nancy and Geoffrey are very protective towards it, hence their plan to buy up this whole neighbourhood."

"Once they've done that, what then?"

Darrin looked all around Foundry Cove before answering.  "All this..." he said with a sweep of his arm "...will be the site of a massive research facility dedicated to the study of that tree"

Jeremy looked at the impressive but odd-looking tree.  "Then they don't know what it is either" he mused.

"What does that mean?" asked Darrin.  "I know it's important to them, but I'll be damned if I know why"

Jeremy snapped to his senses once more.  "Mr Lew...what are your intentions?" he asked.

"Like you, I grow worried about the company I work for and the people who run it.  I've seen things...dark things, things that shouldn't be.  For months I've felt isolated, alone and looking over my shoulder but now I think I might have found an ally.  What are your intentions?"

Jeremy drew a deep breath.  "I want revenge for what the Landgraabs did to me:  They brainwashed me into hating the people I care about, they've used me to push their lies!"

"Then I think we can work together, Mr Saint" said Darrin.

"Call me Jeremy"

Meanwhile Barbara was smartening herself up whilst waiting for Jeremy.  She saw that he was talking to someone she didn't recognise but the conversation appeared genial enough so she didn't worry about it.  Just so long as he didn't take up too much of their precious time spend talking to some random guy.

Poor Jeremy, she thought, jealous, nervous and insecure.  She thought about all the rough stuff he'd been through recently, especially the brainwashing by the Landgraabs.  She warned him not to work for them but his honour and decency overrode his judgement.  Well, as a loving partner she saw it as her duty to help him feel valued and treasured.

Then Jeremy came indoors and made his way to the bedroom.  "Sorry about that" he said, "that was a work colleague I had to talk to." 

"Oh, did it go OK?" she asked.

"Oh yeah...fine.  In fact, it was very productive.  Interesting guy which I will tell you all about at another time.  Now, you have my complete attention" he said.

"I'm glad about that.  I'm so sorry you've been feeling down, darling, but you do know I love you and I would never do anything to hurt you.  Phht!  Burr can't hold a candle to you...no man can"

"I feel like a jackass" he said.

"Don't be so hard on yourself...come, let's sit down together on the bed and...see what happens"

CHAPTER 168: Guitar Boy

 

"Jamie, I think it was rude of you to embarrass Mrs Sneedley like that yesterday" 

"Mom!  I just asked a simple question about, well, you know, how they did it in olden days...that's all!"

"It was a sex question, Jamie.  Don't pretend it was otherwise."

"Well the Baby Boom seemed to pass them by...I notice they don't have kids and never mention any.  Maybe they just don't...."

"Stop that now, Jamie!" 

"Just sayin'..."

"Colin, have a word with your son"

"Me?  Oh, well, you see when a mummy bee and a daddy bee love each other..."

"Dad!  We've had this talk like back in Grade 5!"

"Nothing like a refresher course, though..."

"Oh, is that the time?  I have to get to school...Dad, it's been really interesting, really it has."

That's the first time I've been saved by the bell to go TO school!  But a day of algebra, ancient history and Spanish grammar is far preferable to having dad fumble around telling me about the birds and the bees!

School was OK, though.  I didn't see Julie...or her friend, Colleen or even wild Morgan either but nevertheless it was OK and I'm maintaining a B average which is an improvement.  My music teacher was positive though...told me I had some talent at playing guitar and that I should stick at it.  That would be great but right now I don't own a guitar...I have to borrow them from other people.  But if I want to impress my music teacher, and the girls, and win friends and influence people then I'm going to need one all of my own and that means getting money to buy one.

Time to hit the Bank of Mom And Dad...

"And I'm making so much progress at music, I'm very nearly an A student, but I need to practice more so it makes sense to do that from home instead of using the school's own musical instruments, see?"

"I'm glad you're doing well at school, Jamie, but money's tight at the moment:  We sunk a lot of our savings into buying this house and your father's only been at his place of work for a few weeks so he can't ask for a raise yet."

"Aww, Mom, can't we...you know...dip into our savings?"

"Why not dip into yours?"

"Well...that's....a good question...but...but...how about I get a part time job?"

"Your studies, remember?"

"Oh...that.  It's just that I'm on the verge of getting an A in music, that's all."

"Jamie...I tell you what.  We'll start a collection fund for getting you a guitar.  Save a little here, a little there and in no time you'll have enough."

And with a shrug of my shoulders, I have to agree with her.  I can't magic up money none of us have.  Time for the grind of homework...

Now that's done, I'm at a loose end.  Next to the telephone is a flyer for something called the Humour & Hijinks Festival downtown.  Now that sounds interesting...a bit of stand up comedy, some clowning around and competitions based on practical joking.  OK, I'm game for a laugh...I think I'll wear my new shirt and you never know, some groovy chicks might there there.  But my hopes are dashed when I see that the rules stipulate OVER 18s ONLY.  I don't have any I.D. to get me in!  Man, this just sucks...

I go outside and kick a small rock down the road as I contemplate the inherent unfairness of live on today's young man.  

"Hey, Jamie!  How's it hanging, man?"

"Oh, who's that?  Ah, Mr Zest...I mean, Johnny.  I'm OK, I guess"

"I've got a favour to ask you...I've written some new jokes and I need a test subject.  You free for the next hour?"

"Sure.  I am free and in need of a distraction"

"I thought you'd be at the Humour & Hijinks Festival, Johnny"

"Oh I'm boycotting that!"

"Why?"

"Well, I say 'boycott' but it's more accurate to say I'm banned from there.  I've got powerful enemies in this town, Jamie.  Do you want a beer?"

"A beer?  Well, gee, I don't know..."

"Do your parents not approve?"

"I've had a beer with Dad before...at home.  But, hey, sure.  Just one; I don't want to go home smelling of liquor you know"

"Quite wise.  Anyway I don't want to get bogged down in details but I'm not welcome at the Festival due to falling out with two of its prominent patrons"

"For a moment I thought it might have been some kind of Mafia gang you'd fallen foul of when you said 'powerful enemies'"

"That's not a million miles away from the truth....but like I said, I don't want to talk about that.  It would be criminal to waste these jokes, though, and I won't get Ma-fee-ah! HONK!"

"You can't trust atoms...they make up everything! HONK!  I used to live a hand to mouth existence...then I discovered cutlery!  HONK!...How's it sounding, Jamie?"

"Yeah, very funny...say, I didn't know you played guitar?"

"Oh I dabble now and again.  I should really play the thing instead.  Do you play guitar?"

"Yeah, I do...do you mind if I have a go on yours?  I don't have a guitar of my own yet."

"Go ahead"

"You're pretty good...maybe you could be a warm up act for my comedy?"

"Do you think so?"

"In another year...that's not to slight your playing, it's just that most venues I play at are strictly over 18 or 21."

"The story of my life...just too young to do anything really interesting"

"Say, have you seen that cute blonde chick you dig since we last talked?"

"Oh Judy...yeah, man, I met her just over a week ago and I introduced myself to her....thanks for the advice about just going for it."

"And?...."

"And what?"

"Have you asked her out?"

"Phhht...no....I mean, I'm playing it cool right now.  I told her my name, said I played guitar in a band..."

"And do you?"

"No...but that's not the point!  The point was to make a good impression on her"

"So did you swap phone numbers?"

"No"

"Do you know where she lives?"

"No"

"Does she know where you live?"

"No"

"Did you agree to meet up again?"

"Not exactly..."

"Then how did you leave a good impression on her?"

"Well...you know...in a kind of initial introductory kind of way"

"Your homework for next week is to go up and talk to her, have a conversation filled with the wit, banter and repartee and get her phone number"

"But...what if she says no?  That would be too much to bear!"

"Then you move on to the next bird.  It's not rocket science!"

"Rocket science I can handle...it's girls that require some kind of advanced PhD to understand"

I don't think Johnny knows how tough the dating scene is in high school these days.  Sure, back in his day it was all bobby socks, cruising in cars and doing your hair like Elvis...girls in 1966 are complex: They want more, they judge you more and they've evolved into a superior species.  Like back in my parent's day it seemed like if you were a young guy you could just walk up to any girl, ask them to marry you and they'd have to say yes.  That's the impression I get from my folks and the Sneedleys anyway.  In Johnny's high school days it was probably a little more complicated but if you said and did the right things you'd land a girl as well.  Now, the chicks look better than at any time in history but there's like a million things you can get wrong just trying to know them. I have to evolve to become attractive to them....the problem is I don't know how!

I head home, but up ahead I see Mrs Sneedley out on a run...I'd better duck down and sneak back to the house before she can see me and give another lecture about morals...

Dad's home and he wants to talk to me...I hope it isn't either a morals lecture or the birds and the bees talk.

"Son, your mother and I have had a conversation and we've decided on something..."

"Look, whatever it is I did wrong I'll pay for it with my own money!"

"No, it's not that...although what did you do wrong?  Oh never mind!  It's about the guitar.  We'll pay 50% of the cost; I've just got a raise at work.  You save up the other 50%.

"That sounds fair, Dad.  You gotta deal"

Yes!  Just got to do a few more paper rounds and deliveries to get some money and away we go!  Then I can put together a band and THEN I can make some serious moves on Judy!