by DRK
"Please excuse the tight space in the limousine," Xavier apologized. "It seems the World of Hope is not regarded so highly with Earth, as frequently my personal requests for supplies are ignored, and instead we are sent only what the Leaders deem is necessary."
Agent Samm chauffeured Gov. Bright and the McCleers through the streets of Sparkle City. The streets needed better asphalting, potholes needed filling, and many buildings, made of the splotchy greyish red stones native and so plenteous of this planet, came right up to the curbs, constricting the street passage terribly. The city was very crowded in its residential sector. Much of the buildings in this area were made of easily gotten, cheap materials, rather than those cheezy slap-together structures first brought here in pre-fabricated sections for the first miners, These sorry stone dwellings consisted mostly of many-storied apartments, and a few singles for the more affluent.
Litter covered many streets because of overflowing trashcans which, apparently, were emptied on a whenever-we-can-get-to-it basis. Only one or two uniformed Security Agents made an appearance, unlike the whole tribe of them at the rocketport. Here and there, on apartment building walls and light posts, hung more posters of Gov. Bright.
The limo finally got free of the congested quarter, and then made fine time past the city limits toward the Governor's Mount a half mile away, finally chugging uphill toward the mansion on top of the steep rise. Security Agent Samm could have taken the outer fringe of the city limits, through the business and tourist sections, but the governor had previously asked for Samm to take this course, so the McCleers could get a first-hand view of the citizens' sufferings, thanks to the tight-fisted ways of Earth when responding to their needs.
"We are all having a hard time, Xavier," George reminded. "You haven't been back on Earth for a number of years. Yes, I see Sparkle City might benefit from more financial help, but maybe also your money managers made some unwise choices."
Xavier just stared at first, giving George the evil eye. Then, "Over the next few days I will show you just how the money is spent. I practically live like a pauper- I, the governor!- so the people can have some luxury. Believe me, it is hard to squander the small amount of money we get from Earth. We mine the ore, but you on Earth reap the profits. But you shall see I speak the truth."
Nina changed the subject. "Xavier, I look forward to seeing Sheila. I still can't believe your sister has been gone these past few years. I know you at least gave Sheila a good home here after the accident. It must be hard for you two. I know how close you all were."
"Yes, I still miss her. In fact, she had spent many months of the year living at the Governor's House with Sheila. But I get by. Running a small planet takes up a lot of time, and one doesn't always have time to mourn properly. Anyway, I accept that, as we travel through life, we sometimes lose some of those we love along the way."
Nina said, "I bet Sheila's grown quite a lot by now. She was so tiny the way I remember her. Was that she at the rocketport? I told George I think we saw her greeting that Osmo Martin and his friends."
Xavier beamed. "It was indeed she. She has been a comfort to me, and she helps me with public relations. If we can generate more tourism, as well as more goodwill from Osmo's father, I think that will help improve our situation."
At the top of the mount Clyden's man pulled into the driveway and stopped the limo at the large house's front entrance. He opened the car door for Xavier and his guests. X-9 hopped out the trunk and took out the Mccleer's luggage.
A robot held open the large brass door for Gov. Xavier and Mr. and Mrs. McCleer. Xavier directed the butler robot to show the McCleers to the guest suite, and X-9 carried their luggage. "Dinner will be ready shortly. Refresh yourselves and I will call on you when all is ready. I hope you don't have rocketlag."
In their rooms, George smiled to Nina. "Well, Xavier hasn't changed much, except I think he seems more intense about things. And, of course, I suppose he is even more pompous."
"Like he said, it's no small job running a planet," Nina replied.
George noticed X-9 hanging about. "Okay, you brought our luggage. You may go now.”
X-9 spoke. "No, sir. I am ordered to be your personal assistant. Whatever you need, please let me know."
"We need some privacy is what we need. You go wait outside for us."
"Yes sir, Mr. McCleer." X-9 obeyed.
Nina appreciated the well-furnished rooms. "I have to say, I am impressed with Xavier's taste."
George kidded, "You aren't full of regrets now, are you?"
She laughed. "We do okay for ourselves. Besides, a well-furnished room is no substitute for a loving husband. I believe Xavier loved his sister and loves his niece in his own way, and I would hope if he had a wife he would love her in his own way, but I think I prefer your way of loving."
At dinner some robots served a wonderful meal. Xavier explained that the chef was human. He didn't think robots had enough initiative necessary to make a decent meal. Sec. Ldr. Clyden also showed up for dinner. He and the governor discussed a few items off to the side, and then the governor dismissed Clyden for the night, saying he didn't expect to need him. Xavier told Nina, "We don't like him hovering about, do we? Sometimes he is a bit of a nuisance. The robots at least keep out of the way."
Thinking of X-9, George raised his eyebrows. "Don't you find them also a little too obliging?"
"No, not at all. I guess, since I am in authority, I expect a certain amount of obliging behavior from others. Maybe all leaders feel like that, and we just take it for granted."
As the dinner continued, Xavier lavished much attention on Nina. "How do you like this humble meal?"
"Very nice, Xavier. But I think you overdid it with a dozen different kinds of salad dressing."
Xavier frowned. "Oh, you think so?" He called over the robot butler. "You take that last salad dressing back to the kitchen. Tell the chef I said it is ridiculous to have so much salad dressing. There, see, Nina? Now we only have eleven dressings to choose from. Better?"
She giggled at his joke, but George rolled his eyes. Xavier caught that. "Oh, I am sorry, George. I presume you want to discuss business. I only wanted my old friends to relax for the night before we go over all that. But if you want to see the books already, I can do that. I, too, hate to waste time. But before I show you the books, I had hoped to show you all about Sparkle City, and show you the mines, as well as our environment-generators, etc., in order for you to get the proper context of the books."
"No, no, I think I can wait," George replied. "The bosses want me to take that tour, anyway, and see how things look up close."
Xavier stared at Nina. "I think things look fine up close."
George had had enough. "Well, if you will excuse us, Xavier, we are still on Eastern Time, so I am getting a bit too sleepy. Come, Nina, we better get some rest."
"Um, okay." Her husband's abruptness caught her off-guard. "Okay, good night, then, Xavier. Nice seeing you again. It almost seems like old times."
He watched them go. "Yes," he muttered to himself. "It almost does, doesn't it?"
Later, as Nina unpacked some of the luggage in the guest suite, she noted George had a case full of papers and things. She wouldn't touch that. He didn't like his papers messed up and out of order.
X-9 waited outside the suite, patiently hoping to be needed.
Nina heard George in the shower. It sounded like he was... talking with someone?! "George, are you talking to me? If you are, I can't even hear you," she called to him.
"Huh? Oh, haha, I guess you hear me singing!" he called back.
"Hmm. Is that what you call it?" she muttered.
Inside the bathroom, George hadn't even gotten into the shower yet, but he had it running full blast. He spoke into a small black plastic square. "Okay, then, I must be signing out," he whispered. "At least we know this communication device works,and, I hope, Xavier can't pick up the transmissions. This stealth technology is great! And, even if he can eavesdrop, his communications crew
won't be able to decipher it. I wish you could hear me better, but I am not sure if Xavier has this suite bugged, so I have on the shower. I'll be getting the grand tour of Hope starting tomorrow. I will keep you folks on Earth posted with secret reports of how much progress I make regarding my true purpose for coming to this place."
A tinny voice on the other end signed out, and George looked around for a place to hide the black square while he grabbed a quick shower. Afterward, he intended to hide it back in his suitcase of papers. Nina would be none the wiser.
The Tourist Trap
