The Third Ten

by Jacqueline Druga

  “Not at this time.”

  “What about the others that ate the same thing?” Joe asked.

  “These men were the late diners last night. The ones that eat after their eleven PM shift.”

  “Ah, so more than likely the food went bad.”

  “Precisely,” Elliott added. “Although we can’t figure out how they all got sick on Oodles of Dan noodles. They don’t go bad.”

  “You’re right, but, you never know. Forty-two men.” Joe whistled. “That’s a lot. Well, then I guess it was a good thing after all that Dean was there.”

  Elliott immediately looked at Dean and didn’t respond.

  “Elliott?” Joe called him. “Still with me.”

  “Yes, it … is a good thing Dean was here last night. The timing is remarkable.”

  “Where are you going with that?”

  “Um … nowhere.” Elliott released a nervous chuckle. “Mr. Slagel, I’ll have the Captain call you when he wakes, right now, I’d like to speak to your daughter.”

  “Rushing me off the phone, Elliott?”

  “In a sense.”

  “Have Hal call me.”

  “Will do.” Eyes still focused on Dean, Elliott disconnected the call. He knew where his thoughts were going. It was remarkable timing that Dean just so happened to be there at the same time they had a freak outbreak of dysentery.

  But after some staring and some thought, Elliott let it go. Even with Dean being the mutilator, to infect forty-two men was just too farfetched.

  ***

  Joe had heard about it, but couldn’t believe it was true. He was a bit frightened by the thought of Frank monitoring containment. The biggest issue was why?? He made his way there and, truly believing that he’d hear a racket, perhaps pandemonium, because he knew how Frank liked to tease the residents, Joe was surprised.

  All was quiet.

  In the doorway of the skills room, he saw Frank sitting in a chair. Frank wasn’t reading, writing, or really doing anything. Just sitting there. Elbows on his knees staring into the skills room. But to Joe, as he walked down the hall, it didn’t look as if Frank were staring at anything in particular in that skills room. Maybe his thoughts were so far ahead of him, Frank was focused there.

  That kind of made Joe chuckled. He jingled his keys as a warning.

  No reaction from Frank.

  A few feet from his son, he called out. “Please don’t tell me you killed them and you’re just watching the bodies.

  Over his shoulder Frank peered and smiled. “No, they’re alive and well.”

  “Where are they?” Joe asked.

  “In here.” Frank pointed.

  “Why are they so quiet?”

  “Richie has them doing a coloring exercise. I’m here in case they fight over colors.”

  “I see.” Joe stepped closer. “Where is Richie?”

  “Getting his haircut.”

  “Got to tell you, Frank. I’m surprised you’re here.”

  Frank shrugged.

  “You Okay?” Joe asked. “You don’t seem your usual abrasive self.”

  “Fine.”

  “You and Ellen are good.”

  “Actually, great,” Frank said. “We almost had sex last night. She passed out before I got out of the bathroom.”

  Joe winced. “Did I need to hear that?”

  “The bathroom or the sex part?

  “Both.”

  “Yeah, because she offered me sex because she didn’t want me to check the lab.”

  “Really.” Joe stated.

  “Really.”

  “Did you check the lab since she’s in Bowman?”

  “No.”

  ‘Why?”

  Frank smiled.

  “What?”

  “Well, I’d rather wait until she’s there.”

  “Maybe she’ll offer you sex again.”

  Frank grinned.

  “Something wrong with you.”

  “No, something is in that lab.”

  ‘You have a point.”

  “How’s Bowman?”

  “Better. Forty-two cases of food poisoning or something like that.”

  “Fuckin’ Dean.” Frank shook his head.

  “Why would you say that?”

  “Well, he’s there, isn’t he?”

  “True. Listen what I’m here to tell you, when Hal gets back with Ellen we’re gonna have a meeting.”

  “A family meeting?”

  “Sort of.”

  “If we have a family meeting, don’t forget to invite Jimmy.”

  Joe snapped his finger. “Thanks. I won’t. Hey …” he laid his hand of Frank’s shoulder. “Didn’t get a chance to ask you. How was the time test?”

  Frank didn’t answer.

  “Frank?”

  With a heavy exhale, Frank stood up. “Weird.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Frank lowered his voice. “I’ve been thinking about it all morning.”

  “Hence, the reason for the mood. What happened?”

  “Well,” Frank pulled his father farther from resident earshot. “We were supposed to go eleven months on the future. Only we get there and nothing is there.”

  “What?” Joe asked.

  Frank nodded. “Of course, Jason is fine with it, had an explanation, and said we were blowing it out of proportion.”

  “But you don’t buy it.”

  Frank shook his head. “Nope. My gut is screaming that something went wrong. You should see the pictures.”

  “Well, I’ll tell you what. Why don’t we send Jimmy and Ellen off to do something inane, and you, me, Hal and Robbie will discuss this.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Me, too. And I’d better get going. I’ll call you when Hal gets here.”

  Frank nodded.

  Joe started to leave but stopped. Frank’s whole demeanor was off. What he saw, really was affecting him. “Frank? You said pictures?”

  “Yeah, we took pictures.”

  “Jason’s not gonna give them up for our meeting unless he’s there.”

  “Jason will never give them up,” Frank said.

  “That bad?”

  “No, he doesn’t have them. He has one. We have the rest. He never asked.”

  “Can you bring them?”

  “Absolutely, I have them hid.”

  “Good. Good. See you in a little while.” Joe walked away. Slagels worked on gut instincts better than anyone. If Frank’s gut was saying something was not right about that future trip, than it didn’t matter what explanation Jason gave, to Joe something wasn’t right.

  ***

  It wasn’t even noon Lodi time, and already, Mike had a lifetime’s worth of work ahead of him. An emergency meeting of his town bred a pretty much unanimous vote. All but three men said, ‘Pack it up, let’s go.’

  To say Mike was not happy was an understatement.

  After the vote, Mike put up a volunteer schedule for men who would help lead the move … to wherever that would be, told them he’d let them know what Beginnings had to say, and then dashed out. He really didn’t want to speak to anyone, and the last person he wanted to speak with was Lars.

  Didn’t Lars know that? Why was he following him? Mike wondered.

  “Mike Manis, if you don’t stop, I swear to God, I will inject you with something lethal while your big ass sleeps.”

  In the middle of the street, Mike stooped. “What!”

  “Ouch.”

  “Lars, I am not in the mood.”

  “Like a little boy who lost his baseball game I see.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Mike asked.

  “Michael Manis, you threw together that vote this morning. You half heartedly gave all the facts, I saw through what you were doing. Not but a few days ago, the men voted with you. I firmly believe you expected them to say they’d fight it out. But, Mike, you have to remember. This isn’t the Society, something they can beat, it’s a meteor.”

&n
bsp; “I know.”

  “So they voted against what you wanted and now you are pouting.”

  “I am not pouting.”

  “Am too.”

  “Fine, I am.” Mike paused for a breath and looked up. “But I’m still pissed at you.”

  “For what now?”

  “For messing with my balls last night.”

  A passerby stopped at that comment.

  Mike grunted and kept on walking.

  Lars followed.

  Into the municipal building they walked, straight to Mike’s office.

  Disgruntled, Mike sat down.

  “It’s a task. A big one, I know.” Lars stated as he too took a seat. “But we’ll manage.”

  “It’s not just the Society, the move, the meteor.”

  “It’s Johnny.”

  Mike nodded. “Ellen is coming next week to meet up with the Society doctor to do the surgery. Johnny has to deal with the surgery. Plus, his father is coming. He has to face the man he shot.”

  “Twice mind you.”

  “I hate when you do that.” Mike said. “But, yes. Twice. He doesn’t need that stress.”

  “How do you know Frank isn’t coming here to make amends? After all, it is his kid.”

  “I know.” Mike, exhaling buried his face in his hands and pulled his fingertips across his face. “The move will take a couple weeks. So that gives Johnny a couple weeks.”

  “Mike, he’s young. I feel he will be fine after the surgery. A few weeks are plenty of time.”

  “That’s not where my concern is,” Mike said. “He screwed Beginnings. We’re heading that way. Will Beginnings even have him? If not, what becomes of Johnny Slagel if they refuse to allow him there?”

  “Only one way to find out. Do the inevitable.” The phone sat center of his desk and Lars pushed it Mike’s way. “Call Beginnings.”

  ***

  The word ‘nifty’ was not a word Frank used often, nor was it one he used in a long time, if ever. But he kept thinking of the word as he stood in Mechanics.

  It was a ‘nifty’ idea.

  It made perfect sense. After all, three communities and Mechanics had grown to handle them. Beginnings was the operational hub for them all. Of course they had to plan ahead, think of ways to make things more organized.

  Nifty.

  Take a number.

  Admittedly, Frank was taken aback by the red number dispenser, but after thinking about it, he ripped off a ticket and stood in the line. He had number seventeen. The board showed they were only on number nine. But Frank didn’t mind the wait. It was a break. He stood there listening to Danny and Henry talk.

  Danny had convinced Henry that the new bald look as the way to go. They discussed rumors, gossip, the monster and meteor.

  Everything under the sun.

  “Frank?” Danny called out to him.

  “Yeah.” Frank replied.

  “Is there something you needed?” Danny asked.

  “Just waiting my turn,” Frank held up his number. “Still got a ways to go.”

  Danny looked at the board, then to Frank as he stood in the line all by himself. No one else was around. “Frank? Why didn’t you just come right in?”

  “That would be rude,” Frank said. “You put the numbers out to be organized.”

  “A-huh,” Danny nodded.

  ‘Frank?” Henry snickered out his name. “What did you need?”

  “I’ll wait.” Frank nodded at the digital number on the wall.

  Danny and Henry looked at each other. Finally, Danny stood up, walked to the counter. He flipped the button. “Ten.”

  Frank didn’t move.

  “Eleven?”

  Frank looked this ticket.

  “Twelve.”

  Frank still didn’t move.

  Danny clicked the button fast, changing the number as he rattled quickly, “Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen …”

  “Fuck!”

  “What?” Danny asked.

  Frank pointed to the number eighteen. “You skipped me.”

  Danny started to speak, but watch Frank go to the ticket machine and grab two. Danny held back the laugh. “Seventeen?”

  “That’s me.” Frank held up his number and walked to the counter.

  “What can we help you with today, Frank?”

  “Danny, do you guys have the plans to the tunnels that run under Beginnings. Including all the labs and storage.”

  “Yes, we do.”

  “Can I borrow them?”

  Danny hesitated. “Um, did you fill out a requisition?”

  “No.”

  “You need to fill out a req and we’ll be happy to loan them to you.”

  “Okay, thanks, I’ll be back.” Frank turned and walked out.

  “Danny?” Henry stood and walked to him. “Why did you tell him that?”

  “Because he’ll come back.”

  “Okay.”

  “And he’ll take another number.” Danny shrugged. “I just think it would be amusing to see him wait in line again.” Danny snickered, and just to ensure his amusement, reset the number counter back to zero.

  ***

  When Joe received the phone call from Mike, he knew he had to get moving on a plan. When Mike turned down Joe’s offer, Joe all but concentrated on Creed and his people moving closer to Beginnings. He had stopped by Agriculture and spoke to Hector regarding getting a few men together and prepping some fields for late growth, along with green houses.

  “How about I put together a projection, Mr. Slagel and get that to you later today.” Hector suggested.

  “Hector, if you can get it to me in an hour. I would be forever grateful.”

  “An hour!” Hector said.

  “I have a meeting, but, if you can’t …”

  With a whistled, Hector shook his head. “Tell you what, I will try. Only because you deserve a favor, especially for what you’re doing for this community tonight.”

  “Thanks, Hector,” Joe said with a swat to his arm and left agriculture. It didn’t dawn on him what Hector said until he was out of the door.

  What he was doing tonight? Hector had to be confused, and so as not to embarrass either of them, Joe went on his way. He didn’t have much time; he received a phone call from Hal stating that he, Jess, and Ellen would be arriving in town within an hour.

  Joe had to be ready. He had to not only assign Jess a job, but housing. The housing part was easy. Robbie wanted his own place again … and with that thought, Joe picked up the phone.

  Robbie sounded groggy when he answered.

  “Are you sick?” Joe asked.

  “No.”

  “Sleeping.”

  “Trying.”

  “Robert.”

  “Dad, come on. I haven’t gotten much sleep in a few days, plus I had that early morning flight to Bowman.” Robbie defended.

  “Did Frank find you?”

  Robbie chuckled. “No, I’m hiding, because I’m trying to sleep. Why?”

  “Can you meet me in my office in an hour and a half?”

  Robbie whined.

  “Robert.”

  “Fine. What’s it about?”

  “A couple things that deal with the community, then you can say we’re having a family meeting.”

  “Family meeting? Don’t forget Jimmy.”

  “Nah, he’s gonna sit this one out.”

  “I’d ask why, but I’m too tired. Can I go back to sleep now.”

  “I really don’t think you should. I have one more thing to ask you.”

  Robbie grumbled.

  “Feel like housing with Jess again.”

  “Dad, Jess and I didn’t exactly part on good terms,” Robbie said. “He wasn’t honest with me.”

  “Be that as it may, the man also hit on you, but will you house with him?”

  “Fine.”

  “Thank you.”

  “And just for this interruption, I’m not wishing you luck tonight.”
<
br />   Click.

  “Robert. Christ. What the hell is he talking about?” Shrugging it off, Joe hooked his phone to his belt, and continued on. He had a couple stops to make before dropping off the newest posting at the Joe-Board. Which he hated doing?

  Mechanics.

  Frank.

  History.

  By the time he posted on the board, he would have to make a quick dash and meet Hal.

  Mechanics was his first stop.

  The dinging bell made Joe pause. But not as much as seeing Frank just standing there.

  “Frank? Glad to see you here.”

  “Uh-oh.”

  “What?”

  “You’re never glad to see me.”

  “True,” Joe said. “I have a favor. Since you’re the copy king, I need you to make some copies for me.”

  “Fuck. I hate doing that.”

  “I know. But if you do it later this afternoon, you can get Ellen to help you.”

  “Fine. What am I copying?”

  “I’ll give it to you when you come up for the meeting.”

  “Sounds good,” Frank said. Then turned his back to his father.

  “Frank? What are you doing?”

  “Waiting.”

  “Waiting?” Joe asked.

  “In line.”

  “For?”

  Frank held up the slip of paper. “My number to be called.”

  Joe looked at the number twenty and then to the board that said ‘two.’ “Christ, Frank. I can see the dynamic Asian Dou in the back office, just call their names.”

  “Dad, they’re busy, and it’s new rules. Are you hear to speak with them?”

  “Yes.”

  “You have to take a number.”

  “I’m not taking a number.”

  “Dad.” Frank was insistent. “You have to take a number.” He reached to the number dispenser.

  “I don’t want a number.”

  Frank ripped one off. “Take a number.”

  “Frank! Christ! I don’t want a number.” Joe grabbed it, ripped it and tossed it.

  “Litter bug.”

  “Frank.”

  “Now, you wasted a number.”

  “Frank.”

  “Danny and Henry will be calling that number and …”

  “Frank.”

  “No one will answer. They’ll say, ‘what the fuck happened to the person’ and think …”

  “Frank!” Joe yelled his loudest.

  “That they pissed someone off.”