More like a trip to the funny farm, she thought coldly. “You, sir, have a sick sense of a humor. I demand service this instant, or I shall insist on speaking with your supervisor!”
Suddenly, a young boy, no older than thirteen, came from the other room. “I’m the supervisor, George P. Rails, at your service Ma’am.”
Miss Pinwick looked the boy up and down. “Aren’t you a bit young to be a supervisor, young man?” She asked, not hiding her annoyance. Miss. Pinwick knew all about children, as she was the president of the school board back home. Come to think of it, she didn’t much like children at all.
George shook his head. “I am young. But I’m out of school, ma’am. I already learned everything.”
Miss Pinwick smirked, set her bags down on the floor beside her, and crossed her arms. My, this should be interesting. She mused.
“Oh, have you now? Well, do tell all.” She challenged with mockery in her tone.
George took in a deep breath and boy; did he tell all. The youth began with history. He compared and contrasted several Native American tribes, then he gave a brief biography of a number of well-known figures who played a role in the Revolutionary War. Next, he explained just how the North won the Civil War. George moved onto World War II, giving a chronological timeline. After that he told Miss Pinwick all about the frightful working conditions in factories and coal mines in the 1800 and early 1900s. Finally, he went on to give his personal detailed theory on the JFK assassination.
Without even breaking a sweat, the boy went onto the subject of science and told her the exact distance between the planets in our solar system. Then he moved onto the process of photosynthesis and the water cycle. Following that, he rushed through how the human brain works.
George took a second to catch his breath and Miss. Pinwick waved her arms, urging him to stop. Her expression was no longer confident, but now crestfallen.
“Please stop, boy! How did you… where did you…” She couldn’t even begin to form her questions. Finally, she asked, “Why on God’s green earth are you the supervisor at the depot? You could be a doctor, or a lawyer, or an astronaut!”
George modestly shrugged. “Someone has to run the depot,” He pointed over at the man behind the window, “Cornelius over there can’t tell time.”
Miss. Pinwick was utterly flabbergasted, baffled, and befuddled. Before she could respond, a woman entered the room and rushed over to Miss. Pinwick, embracing her tightly.
“Oh Prissy! It’s so good to see you! I’m sorry I’m late.”
George gave a shy smile at the reunion and quietly ventured back behind the counter.
Miss Pinwick frowned and somewhat roughly pushed her sister away. Priscilla smoothed down her white blouse, adjusted her wire rim glasses and cleared her throat.
“It’s Priscilla if you would, Abetha. And you are aware of my distaste of human affection, are you not? While you were off procrastinating in collecting me, I was in the middle of an important conversation, which you just rudely interrupted.”
Abetha’s grin didn’t fade. She knew her sister loved her deep down, even if she didn’t show it.
“I’ve missed you so much! I was so excited when I heard you were coming for a visit!” Abetha reached down to take her sister’s carpet bag.
Priscilla swatted Abetha’s hand away. “I am perfectly capable of handling my own belongings.” She announced sternly as she collected her things.
Abetha shrugged and linked her arm in Pricilla’s, much to Priscilla’s horror, and lead her outside. “I have really been looking forward to your visit. I know how busy you are back in the city. At least, I assume you’re busy because I never hear from you.”
Priscilla didn’t answer. Her mind sped back to her prim, proper, and neat house. Inside an old oak desk, in the back of a drawer, Priscilla had stuffed all of Abetha’s unopened letters, cards and notes. It was true that Priscilla was a busy and important woman in her town. Much too busy to reply to silly letters.
Abetha continued, “I think you’ll enjoy your stay here. Ludicrous is a nice town. Nice folks live here.”
Miss. Pinwick snorted and bluntly removed her arm from Abetha’s grasp. “What sort of name is Ludicrous? Not a very flattering name for a town.”
“Oh, it seems to suit us just fine.” Abetha replied genuinely, not taking notice of her sister’s movement.
“Indeed.” Priscilla murmured. She thought back to what she had witnessed of the town thus far. An absolute child prodigy, and an elder man who can’t tell time and spends the business day laughing over tasteless riddles. She sighed and shook her head.
The two women headed down the sidewalk, passing small, yet fine homes and businesses. One shop that Priscilla noticed, was the florist. It was a quaint little whitewashed building. Window boxes were simply overflowing with splashes of colorful flowers.
Abetha noticed Priscilla admiring the flowers and sadly shook her head and let out a sigh. “It’s a shame those are the only real fresh flowers you can buy in this town.”
Miss Pinwick turned quickly and shot Abetha a strange look. “Whatever do you mean?”
Abetha gave a shrug. “Violet, that’s the florist. She’s allergic to flowers. Everything inside her shop is artificial.”
Priscilla cast a confused glance back at the little building. “A peculiar occupation for that one.” She mumbled mostly to herself. She shook her head and frowned.
As they continued down the sidewalk, Priscilla’s feet started to ache.
“I say, you do own a vehicle, don’t you?’ Priscilla inquired somewhat nastily to her sister.
“Of course, Prissy. But it’s silly to drive when you can enjoy this lovely spring air.”
Priscilla rolled her eyes. “Only if one wishes to catch their death of cold.”
Abetha chuckled mostly to herself. “You always were one to worry about your health.”
“And why shouldn’t I?” Demanded Priscilla.
Abetha knew there was no point in continuing the conversation so she changed the topic. “Besides, I would like you to meet some of my friends. I think you would like them after getting to know them.”
Miss. Pinwick was appalled and opened her mouth in shock. “The proper hostess would allow her guest to rest before any social callings.”
Abetha stopped in her tracks and gave her sister a strange look. “You’re not tired, are you?”
Priscilla gave Abetha a calloused look. “On the contrary, I’ve never been more energized!”
Abetha frowned slightly. “You’re not familiar with our town, Priscilla. But we never ever use sarcasm. Ever.”
Now it was Priscilla’s turn to frown. She was surprised to see her once bubbly sister act so serious and offended. Although, she was now intrigued and just had to ask the question.
“Why not? The use of sarcasm is quite healthy.”
Abetha gently explained, “Sarcasm is somewhat of an outlawed thing in Ludicrous. It’s not right to say things you don’t really mean.”
Priscilla scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Fine. I am tired and wish to rest.”
Abetha nodded and led her sister in the direction of her house.
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The Roman Road
Romans 3:23
Romans 5:8
Romans 6:23
Romans 10:9-10
Ephesians 2:8-9
24 Hour Lockdown Page 14
