Mike fumbled his way to a chair, and sank into it. He seemed dazed. ‘This has got to be my confession,’ he muttered finally, ‘Though I didn’t have all the facts that Lee has now confessed, I did jack out of him that I judged that Dolores should have a week’s warning, and if she didn’t become a good little jabber again, that she should be reported for camp. But he was against it; and so I let it ride. I confess now that I judged Susan for her first offense - judged her harder than the rules require because Dolores was on my conscience. That tells me we’ve had a confusion building up for six months, and we need advice to save the Red Cats.’
Pause, silence, and everybody turned toward Lee. Martin Tate spoke the words, softly: ‘Well, Lee, what’s your judgement on yourself?’
The blond boy did not look at anybody. Like Mike, he seemed dazed. The abrupt turn the conversation had taken, had caught him by surprise. Now, he cringed a little — it was not a pleasant thing to see. ‘I confess,’ he mumbled, ‘that for different reasons than I stated before, I am not the proper leader of the Red Cats. I was wrong in the way I handled Dolores.’
‘And Susan?’ urged Martin.
Again a pause, and dead silence. Finally, Lee shook his head. ‘No. It’s a different situation. Dolores was wrong to begin with. Susan was not.’
The sandy-haired boy with his thick-built body and unusual husky voice, turned to face the others. ''Well, jabbers,’ he said, ‘my judgement is that Lee has confessed like a true jabber, and since it’s a first offense, I offer the rule that he should be warned but retained as leader of the Red Cats. Any no-sack?’
By this time Dolores had become aware again of what was happening, and it was her voice, strident and hostile, that now sounded from the back of the group. ‘What about Susan?’ Martin Tate glanced questioningly at Lee, ‘Can this Red Cat scab be allowed to ask a question?’
Lee stood up. As leader again, he braced himself, stood for a moment evidently scanning the rules mentally, and then said simply, ‘Mike brought her here as a witness. I pass the problem to him.’
Mike said, ‘Since Dolores was brought here on outfit business, she is in this meeting, only, entitled to ask questions as if she were still a jabber. I wish to point out that Dolores was given a warning several days ago, and has three days left of her week before judgement. So what about Susan?’
Martin Tate said, ‘The judgement remains. Suspension for one week counting today.’ He looked around. ‘Any no-sacks?’ ‘No-sack,’ said Lee firmly.
But no one else said anything. Also, no one moved. Everybody stared at him.
Slowly, Lee nodded. It was a movement that included his shoulders to a degree, and it was actually a gentle waving of the upper part of his body. As if the thought itself was completely involved with the body. ‘All right,’ he said finally, ‘I accept the judgement against Susan, but I intend to tell her that I don’t agree with it, though in my judgement her second offense needs to be confessed by her in greater detail than she told it to Mike.’ ‘Anybody no-sack?’ asked Martin Tate.
For a few moments there was not a sound. The smaller boy was about to turn away when Bud suddenly became aware (his expression said) of what was going on. His strange plaintive voice projected into the silence. ‘I don’t know why we’re going through all this. Susan told me on the phone that her father intended to send her to a private school outside of Spaceport, and that she wasn’t coming back to school here.’
The pause this time was longer. It was broken by Martin Tate. He turned to the blond boy, and said softly, ‘Well, Lee?’
Lee David stood very still. He was pale, but his expression presently showed that he knew his outfit duty, and intended to do it. But he nevertheless visibly braced himself, and then said, ‘It’s quite evident that Mr Lane will have to be faced, and asked some questions. What happens after that depends on his answers and his attitude. As for right now’ - the words came out explosively — ‘outfit meeting is concluded.’ He glanced at the other outfit leaders. ‘The Red Cats may ask advice on Mr Lane, but there is no further outfit business this evening. I urge you all to get home to your studying. Mike,’ he hesitated for just an instant over the name, then continued, ‘thank your mother for the use of this house.’
Mike said in a somewhat subdued voice that he would do so.
And then he accompanied them all to the door. Shortly after he had closed the door on the last to leave, a pretty brunette woman came down the broad staircase in the outer hall. There was a faint satiric smile in her face, ‘Well/ she said, ‘did you win or lose?’
Mike said politely, ‘Now, mother, nobody loses in an outfit.’ He surveyed her critically. ‘You expecting somebody?’
She shrugged, ‘Oh, one of my boy friends. You know I don’t sit around when you’re father is hiking,’
‘Yep, I’ve sacked it,’ he said.
His mother shuddered. ‘Mike, dear don’t use that horrible outfit language to me. As you know, I surrendered my parental rights to the outfits with many misgivings as to what they might do to you. But I must admit it seems to be working out all right, I don’t think I could have done any better.’
‘Thanks, mother,’ said Mike, in an even voice.
A faint frown creased the pretty face. ‘You do seem to be a little colder,’ she said finally, ‘but at least - ‘At least I’m out of your way.’
The woman seemed totally unaware of the possibility that his words might be slightly satiric. ‘That’s absolutely true. I must say that is one good thing about the outfits. I used that very argument with your father. I told him that it’s like having a permanent baby-sitter. Really,’ she finished, ‘the advantages of the outfits outweigh the disadvantages by a great deal.4 ‘Thanks, mother,’ said Mike in that same even tone.
At this point the woman’s face showed that for her the conversation was concluded. She waved at him by wagging the back of her right hand with a mild impatience. ‘All right, off with you to wherever you’re going. It’s Henry that’s coming tonight, and it bothers him to see you around. He has a feeling you might not approve of his being here. I’ve told him that’s absolutely ridiculous, that you and I live our own lives.’
Another pause. The lean boy’s face was briefly tense. Then, abruptly, he relaxed. ‘Good night mother,’ he said, ‘I’ll be in my room, studying.’
‘Good night, dear.’
She was speaking to his back. For he had turned, and was scooting up the staircase. Within seconds he was out of sight, A distant door slammed.
Soon after the meeting at the Sutter home, Dolores Muriroe phoned Captain Sennes. Although she did not know it, the young officer was in his apartment courting the good-looking brunette wife of a man on a long hike. And so at first he was half-minded not to answer the ring. But a thought evidently struck him. ‘May be a message for my roommate,’ he said. With that thought, he lifted the receiver. Instantly, after Dolores introduced herself, Sennes anticipated an unpleasant dialogue.
However, the girl merely reported her conversation with Bud Jaeger. Concluded, ‘I don’t remember seeing him, but obviously he saw us.’
‘And what did you say he wanted from me?’ Sennes asked in his even, unhurried, unalarmed voice. ‘Repeat, please.’
‘A space ride - like Susan got.’ She laughed in a brittle, nervous fashion. ‘I told him you only took pretty girls. But he’s going to come to see you in the morning - probably before school. I thought you’d better know that he’s got something on us - which would be dangerous for both of us if the outfits ever found out about it.’
'Wel-l-ll’ - at his end, the officer shrugged - ‘I have a permanent requisition, permitting me to take up to two persons from Spaceport as .riders. Beyond that, I have to check in. So, under all the circumstances — including the fact that this family is leaving town shortly - why don’t I just act friendly, and give him a ride on Wednesday? And I’ll do the same for you next Sunday, as we agreed. Sack?’
‘Sack.’ The girl was relieved. 'But now, I�
��d better sign off. I’ve got homework to do for tomorrow’s computer test. Good night.’
As he replaced the receiver, Sennes sat still for a bit. He was realising with relief of his own that the conversation had not been unpleasant at all. He walked back to the woman, stooped over, and kissed her on the arm - and then he picked up his drink, and sank down on the bed close beside his love for the night.
Desmond Reid was waiting for Lane, as the later emerged from the elevator. He stood by with a faint smile as the commander of the fleet stepped into the identification booth. Again Lane received an ‘all clear’ from the attending security officer.
‘Well,’ said Reid heartily, ‘your precautions seem to have scotched that problem. No more K energy.’ Lane nodded, and with his friend beside him walked down die hall. ‘Sort of suggests,’ Reid continued, ‘that the enemy is not overwhelmingly powerful, that we can defend our planet, and that there is hope,’ ‘It’s really quite a puzzle,’ replied the younger man. ‘They seem to be more interested in information about us than in a fight to the death. Which, of course, we don’t want either - the fight to the death, that is. If, on the other hand, we could discover what information they wanted, it might be simpler to give it to them, and then say, “Okay. Now, what?” ’
They had arrived at the door of Lane’s office as these words were spoken. The two men stopped, and Reid said admiringly, ‘Whenever I listen to you on fleet matters, I always have the feeling I’m listening to an astute reasoning mind that is somehow getting closer to the facts all the time. But right now, I want to ask you a question about an area of your life where I’ve never had this sense of admiration ... How’s Susan?’
The strong face of the younger man broke into a faint, satisfied smile. ‘Everything is proceeding according to my plan,’ he said. ‘As of now, Susan is on a week’s suspension from her outfit, beginning today. By the end of the week, I have an idea she’ll be completely and neatly ejected by those little automatons. They respond like robots. It’s amazing, but’ - he nodded complacently
‘to be expected.’
Reid stood silent as the door was opened. When Lane asked, ‘Want to come in?’ the older man shook his head gravely, and said, ‘Perhaps I should send a member of the psychology staff of the Outfit Training Institute over to talk to you, John, and explain - ’
He paused there. Because the other man’s gray, steady eyes met his own. ‘Dez,’ said Lane firmly, ‘Susan is my daughter. I would prefer that you let me handle her future my way.’ He smiled grimly. ‘My feeling is, if I were to meet one of these psychologists, my impulse would be to tell him what I think of him, and then punch him in the jaw.’
There was a faraway look in the older man’s eyes. Finally, he nodded as if in agreement with a thought of his own, Then he said gently, ‘Well, I’m a supporter of the outfits, so I won’t say anymore since I can see that our friendship would suffer if I did. But don’t be surprised, or shocked, or outraged, if you suddenly find what your little game can lead to in the way of a clash with the outfits over what you’re doing to Susan.’
They separated a few moments later. Lane went into his office, a tight, stubborn smile on his face, and closed the door. Reid walked thoughtfully to the nearest phone booth, and called Lee David. There was a long wait while the phone at the other end rang. Finally, Mrs David’s voice answered listlessly, and said that Lee would be home about eight thirty.
I’ll call him then,' said Desmond Reid.
He replaced the receiver, emerged from the phone booth, and walked rapidly, and purposefully, back toward the elevators.
At the Lane residence, the phone rang shortly after eight o’clock. Estelle was in the kitchen, reading, while she sipped a cup of coffee. She turned the book over, got up and walked to the corridor door. As the second ring sounded, she raised her voice, Would you like to get that, Susan?’ she called. There was a muffled ‘No!’ from the faraway bedroom. So the blonde woman walked back to the kitchen extension, picked up the receiver, and said hello. It was Lee David for Susan.
Once again, Estelle went to the kitchen door. ‘It’s for you, Susan,’ she called. ‘It’s Lee.’
There was a slight pause. Then, the same muffled voice as before, said, ‘I don’t wish to talk to him or anyone else.’
Her mother stood for a moment after that rejection. Then she shook her head slowly and wonderingly, and with the first faint frown of returning disturbance in and around her eyes, walked back to the phone. ‘Lee,’ she said earnestly, ‘I seem to have a very disturbed girl here. She doesn’t want to talk to anyone. Is there anything new?’ Pause. ‘Oh, she said that to Bud? That was very foolish of her, because there’s nothing to it. So don’t you let the Red Cats go off on any wild tangent. All right, I’m going to go in now and talk to her and see what’s going on in her little noodle. I intend to try to get her to school tomorrow. If she doesn’t show, you phone me again, will you? All right, good-bye.’'
The woman hung up, hesitated, and then button-pressed another number. A woman’s voice answered presently. ‘Is that the Jaeger home?’ Estelle asked. At the other end, the dull-eyed creature who was Mrs Len Jaeger, said, ‘Yes, what is it?’ Estelle said, ‘This is Susan Lane’s mother. Susan and Bud are both in the Red Cat outfit. May I speak to Bud?’ The apathetic Mrs Jaeger said, ‘I think I heard him come back. I’ll see.’ A minute went by, during which time the woman went to the boy’s bedroom. Bud was bending over his books at a desk, laboriously writing. ‘It’s for you, Bud,’- said Mrs Jaeger. ‘Susan Lane’s mother.’ The boy climbed awkwardly to his feet, and was presently mumbling into the phone. At her end, the blonde woman said, ‘Bud, I’d like to know exactly what Susan told you about her father sending her to a school outside of Spaceport.’ Perfect recall was a corollary to Bud’s mind reading ability, and so he repeated Susan’s words exactly as she had spoken them. When he had done so, Estelle hesitated. There was a thought of censure in her mind at the swift way Bud had passed on the information. And abruptly she had to say it. She worded it diplomatically: ‘Bud, I realise you’re new to the outfit, and still fairly young - thirteen or fourteen, isn’t it? - so I’d like you to consider what I’m about to say as not personal. I don’t think you should have passed that information about Susan on to the outfit so quickly. You should learn to take into account whether or not a person who says something to you is in a disturbed state of mind. Susan has been upset ever since she was put on probation, so you shouldn’t take seriously everything she says. By telling it so quickly, when it didn’t really mean anything, you’ve caused her another problem. Bear that in mind for the future, will you?’
Bud was apologetic. Tm sorry, Mrs Lane,’ he muttered, ‘I didn’t mean to cause problems.’
‘It’s all right.’ The woman spoke hastily. ‘Thank you. And good-bye.’
As Bud replaced the receiver, Mrs Jaeger said with just an edge more animation than was normal for her, ‘What did she want?’
Slowly, the alien boy with his face that he kept for looking like that of the real Bud Jaeger, turned around. On this eve of his departure - almost — something of his curiosity about and in the many unexplained human behaviors, motivated him to go over to her. He said, ‘You people puzzle me. How could human beings have done what they did?’ He stopped. He seemed to realise it was not exactly the proper way to word what he wanted to say.
For the first time since he had known her, intelligence stirred in the woman’s eyes and face. She had seated herself at the table in the small dining room alcove adjoining the living room. Now, she stared at him, and said, ‘That’s a strange way to talk, Bud. But, then’ - she frowned, as if trying to penetrate some mental fog - ‘you’ve been very strange ever since you came back. Running away . . . changed you. Your eyes have become so bright. It seems wrong,’
The alien boy gazed at her with eyes that became even brighter. He said slowly, ‘There’s a kind of beautifulness about the way that human beings feel. At first, I didn’t understand, bu
t now" - long pause - ‘that poor girl, Susan. She’s really all mixed up. And it happened to her so fast . . . People are too sensitive. Human children need help the moment anything goes wrong. If they don’t get it, they start to do something automatic that they can’t stop. It’s just as if their intelligence is suddenly pushed aside, and all it can do after that is justify the automatic actions.’
Something struggled for expression in the woman’s face. Awareness? But of course that was impossible. In this hypnotised mind, the breakthrough could not take place. But, like all human thought, what happened was a striving to make sense out of perception, however distorted. . . . Her eyes widened as he spoke what could have been giveaway words. But instead of grasping the truth, she experienced a flow of warmth. The sound of that warmth was in her voice as she said, ‘This is the first time I ever realised that perhaps you inherited the intelligence I used to have before I married that man because I thought he was a real masculine type, and not a softy like so many other young men I knew at that time. That was my mistake, and it was such a big one that I gave up all hope for my own happiness. But if you come out of it all right, then I won’t mind so much.’
‘You see what I mean,’ said Bud. ‘People are really beautiful. Life on earth is actually full of details, isn’t it? Even,’ he hesitated, ‘dad... is complicated.’
A negating smile lighted the sad face of the woman. ‘I’m afraid that’s carrying beautifulness too far,’ she said. She broke off. “You’d better get back to your homework, dear,’ she said.
Bud hesitated. He stood with his hands and arms held slightly above his hips and in front of him, bent at the elbows, as if he wanted to express more of his thoughts in some concrete way. But he clearly thought better of it, because after a moment he turned and shuffled off to his room. The door closed.
After Estelle replaced the receiver of the kitchen phone, she turned, and walked purposefully to Susan’s bedroom. The girl undoubtedly heard her coming. Because, as her mother appeared in the doorway, Susan began, ‘Mother, please don’t pressure me to talk to Lee, or anybody. The way I feel, I can’t seem to do or say anything right.’
Children of Tomorrow Page 18
