Some More Business For Our Story So Far

 Bubby had some chicken and some bread and butter too, with a little saucer of milk, but no coffee.  I was relieved that he didn’t drink coffee.

After lunch, Roops said that the first order of business was to find a new place to meet and keep it secret, if we could.  He said personal connections were everything right now.  That in fact it was all personal!

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I went out into Roops’ kitchen later with Doug, to clean up after lunch. With my elbow on the counter, while he worked, I said “what about the high school gym on Cherry?  It’s just sitting there. School is out forever, right?”

He frowned a little, looking down into the sink as the water ran.  “That might be ok, Jen.” His dark hair was getting a little long and hung before his eyes. Turning off the faucet, swiping back his hair, he turned and leaned against the counter.  “The problem is always attracting the right people, which is hard enough, without notifying P-Sec goons. Always before we just did word of mouth.”

“We’ll have to see if we can get into the building, anyhow.” He wiped his hands and hung the towel up to dry.

We could hear a lot of chat in headquarters out there.  Roops was playing old Dead recordings.  Lou and Bubby were whispering about something.  I guessed that she had gotten used to the talking dog ok.   Elvin was reading something in hardcover about electronics.

 

Doug smiled a brilliant smile for a moment.  I had no idea he looked like that when he smiled.  I was momentarily flustered. Then we went back to our seats in the other room.

“How about using the high school gym to meet in, Roops, it’s only once a month.  It’s sure big enough.  A little more visible to downtown observers though. Can you think of anything better?” said Doug.

“You can sure try it and see what happens!  Might be just right.  Next question, how do you get in touch with your NO members?” He ran his fingers through his grey beard in a thoughtful manner, palm out, raking.   “Be nice if we could still just text people!”

Elf laid his book down and said “remember that girl checker in the store that is a friendly?  The little young one with black hair?  Her name is something like Denise?  I bet she knows which people are ok.  She watches them all day, every day.  Maybe she could just mention it to some of the customers.  Then they would spread it around.”

“She would only have to do that once.” He said.

So, we had two projects right then.  In order, they were checking out the gym and having a little conversation with Denise.

Roops heaved his considerable self up out of his chair in preparation for us leaving.  It was late afternoon and we needed to end up back at our house in time to get some sleep.  Doug and I thanked him for giving us a nice lunch.  We all put on backpacks.  Bubby stood at the ready by the door.

“Hey Bubs, see you out at Mom’s or maybe on the road, who knows!”

“You got it Rupert, who knows?” said Bubby and I still say that dog was snickering to himself, like Muttly. 

We all slipped out that old green door into a late afternoon in downtown Milltown.  Didn’t see another soul on the street.  I never got used to the ghost town effect of those empty streets.  I could remember people coming and going all day when I was young, and they would take us to town for something or other. In fact, we seldom saw a moving vehicle.  There were plenty of them rotting in backyards of empty houses though.

Four waifs and a smartypants dog, who did not sign on for any of this, headed on down Cherry St. to the big old empty barn of a gym.  We needed to see if we could break in unobtrusively.  On the front, facing the street, were two sets of big heavy doors with chains through the handles.  Well, if we had to, we could cut them of course, but that did not seem unobtrusive at all.  So, around the back, on the alley was a smaller door painted battleship gray.  It was unlocked.

“Wow, it’s dark in here,” said Lou, and it was gloomy indeed, as there were no windows.  I was thinking that there would be candles in jars again and since there were no chairs, everyone would have to sit on the wooden floor. That would be fine. Bubby walked perimeter for us.  Seemed like the gym was empty except for ourselves. 

Next was the store, some shopping and talking to the young checker, Denise, if she was working today.  It was already feeling like a long day, and we still needed to make it home tonight.  Not too long of a walk, but all walks take their time and their toll. 

It used to be an upscale supermarket.  Now, it was just the P-Sec food outlet.  It had been very nice.  Now, it was worn and actually dirty.  The parking lot was empty of vehicles.  Nobody enjoyed shopping here now.

While we were approaching, a dark green utility vehicle of a known type drove into the parking lot and parked up front by the entrance.  Two heavy set guys in dark green coveralls with patches on front and back stepped out of the van and walked lazily up toward the door.

P-Sec goons.

link to the whole shebang:In the tenth year of the pandemonium.docx