Friday, January 11, 3014
I wake up in a cold sweat to my alarm. Rubbing my eyes, I roll over to my alarm clock to hit the snooze button.
“Why is my alarm clock set to eight o’clock on a Saturday?”
I just had the craziest dream. My dad became the Prime Chancellor and, my family had to move into the Pearl Palace. I look out my window expecting to see the orange and blue leaves fall from the large Pinak tree in our backyard in Palmer. Instead I saw an unnaturally bright green front lawn. The Pearl Palace front lawn.
“It’s not a dream”, I somberly whisper to myself
My dad is the Prime Chancellor of Antarctica. The secret service agent that pounds on my door confirms that.
“Wake up! You need to be in the limo in five!” Special Agent Parker barks at me.
I tumble out of bed and groggily drag myself over to my closet. Instead of my usual assortment of t-shirts and jeans, a single, freshly ironed tuxedo stood in their place. The extravagant tuxedo had a sticky note attached to it reading “Thawing day”.
“Great!” I sarcastically say to myself.
In memory of 1/11, the date that Antarctica recognized as a country, Dad was supposed to give a speech at the Palmer memorial. Then, I was going to have to appear at a boring senator's party with my dad. It sounds like it should be fun but, I’ve been to one of these things before. The press will be everywhere taking pictures of me, interviewing my dad, asking me questions about my “father’s policies”. Then, when we finally get into the senator's house, they play “Classical Music” from ancient civilizations like Saudi Arabia and Canada while all the adults talk about politics.
Now I had to meet with my parents to have a photographer take our pictures. I put the expensive tux on and fired up the Projo, my Projection television. My dad’s return from West Russia was all over the news. Apparently, He and the West Russian President had an argument in a private talk. My Dad went over to West Russia because West Russia had both made a threat to nuke some oil reserve in Victoria if the president didn’t remove Antarctican troops from Kazakhstan. The West Russian president, Tiran Volkov claimed that Antarctican presence in Kazakhstan was hurting the Russian economy. Even though, West Russia threatens to bomb someplace about once a month, The UN got involved and forced Dad to go to Russia to prevent another nuclear war. He came back to come for Thawing Day and was supposed to return to West Russia to talk it out on Monday.
Special Agent Parker pounded on my door.
“I’m coming, Barker!” I yell through the door
I gave Parker that nickname because he always seems to be barking something. He tells me to hurry up. I put on my shoes and walk out the door.
“You’re late, Zinc!” says Barker
“Fifteen seconds, calm down!” I retort
“You know your dad expects perfection.” as we burst through the door to the front car loop.
I shug. My dad was a huge perfectionist. If I got any less less than a 95.00 PGA score, He would ground me and take away my Thumb Tap for a month after I got my grade up.
As I approach the presidential limo and take the seat next to my mom, she whispers to me.
“Honey, you’re late,” she says without breaking her radiant smile.
She pushed a blond strand out of her emerald green eyes. Her clear, pale skin was like a mirror in the bright sunlight. My mom was a swimsuit model before she married my dad who was the mayor of Palmer at the time. She is older now but still looks good for her age. As the driver then pulled out of the driveway, photographers take pictures of our family waving to the crowds.
As we pulled to a stop, I looked out the tinted window to see the Scott memorial. Every year on 1/11, My dad gives a speech about the the history of our country. As my dad gets out of the limo, I take a good look at him. Before he became Prime Chancellor three years ago, Dad had perfect tan skin, pearly white teeth, chiseled chin, perfectly combed brown hair and pale blue eyes. He was basically Mr. Perfect. However, three years in office have taken their toll. His skin had major wrinkles, His brown hair was dotted with greys and no longer perfectly combed. Those blue eyes were now red due to a lack of sleep. The talks with President Tiran Volkov, must have really drained him.
As he stepped out the lime, he waved to people and flashed a blinding smile. He walked over to the barricade to talked to people and signing autographs. As he made his way to the podium by Palmer’s feet, the introducer announced:
“Prime Chancellor Charles Xavier is about to make his speech in memory of Thawing Day!”
He jogged up to the podium and gave a wave as the hooted and whistled. Before the situation in West Russia came up two weeks ago, My dad was practicing this speech with me. He asked me what I thought of his final draft. As the crowd calmed down, he started his speech.
“Citizens of the Arctic States” he began with a silky smooth voice.
That’s strange, My dad always said “the Arctic” never “The Arctic States”. Dad continued,
“Today marks a glorious day in our history, a day where our forefathers founded this country on the land their forefathers would have never dreamed.”
His accent showed though when he said on “history”. It happens everytime he says a word that starts with an “H”.
“I remember growing up, looking up to Jacob Ross and John Wilkes.”
He continues. Another strange statement. His heroes were Ronnie Carter and Roger Jones. This just wasn’t adding up.
Once when I was eight or so, back in Palmer, My friends and were playing basketball at my house. My mom was tending to her prize Brisco Island Coneflowers in the yard. We were playing Horse and we were all tied up with H-O-R-S. When Kelvin failed to make his shot, it was just me and Sean. Meanwhile, my dad came out and started helping my mom weed out her garden. Then, my mom put her shovel behind her. As Sean missed his shot, I was confident that I had this in the bag. As I took the shot, the strangest thing happened. The ball bounced off the rim just as my dad turned around to get the shovel for mom. The ball landed on the handle of the shovel and flung itself straight at Dad’s nose.
To this day, if you look at his nose, you can see the scar where the shovel left it’s mark.
After he stepped down from the podium, we were escorted by Barker and his sidekick Special Agent Scruples aka Scowls. I don’t think I’ve never seen her happy a day in her life, much less smile. As the driver pulled away from the memorial, I sat across from dad.
Ever since Dad became Prime Chancellor, we have had an awkward relationship. I casually greet him. He smiles and replies
“Hello Zinc, how have you been.”
He seemed to be the same as he was when he left for West Russia yet, different somehow. I just couldn’t tell how. I ask him about his speech. He looked puzzled.
“What do you mean, Zinc?” Dad asked.
“What happened to the rough draft you showed me?” I ask him
“I lost the speech on Starship Alpha, I had to wing it” he meekly admits.
“What about Roger Jones and Ronnie Carter, Didn’t you tell me that they were your heroes growing up?” I questioned.
“Son, the public almost worships Jacob Ross and John Wilkes. Sometimes, it’s more important to appeal to the public than your opinions.” He says with a wink.
I thought about asking about “The Arctic States” thing but, we had just made home. Barker and Scowls then, escort our family out of the limo into the White House. Here the family all splits up. Scowls takes my mom to an interview for her foster care charity “Home at Heart”. My dad’s usual bodyguards got into a turtle formation and escorted him to the Opal Office. Meanwhile, Barker took me to my room. As he read off my to-do list for the day, I glanced at the clock to see it was quarter to two. By two o'clock, I had to get ready to shot a commercial for “Home at Heart” with my mom. I had to study my Esperanto from 15:30. I had free time from 16:30 to 18:00. I had to to go the party at Senator Kelly’s estate with Dad by 18:30.
When Barker left, I changed out of the tuxedo I was wearing and switched into a navy blue polo and khakis. I looked at myself in the mirror. My dirty blond hair was becoming more dirt than blond. My skin was a slightly darker shade of tan than it used to be. My eyes are a pale grey compared to my mom’s emerald green and my dad’s sky blue.
After I washed my face, Barker came to escort me. This time, I had to go to the Emerald room to shoot a “Home at Heart” commercial with my parents. As I made it there with Barker, Scowls and my parents were waiting.
“Sorry that I was eight seconds late, Dad.” I pre-empt him.
For the third time today, he looks at me with a puzzled expression. Just then, the director for the commercial showed up. He shook my dad’s hand and gave my mom a slight bow. He was lanky, in his mid-20’s, and Maryville accent.
“Okay, let’s get to work, Madame.” Just then, Dad gets a call.
“I have to go. If you need me, I’ll be in the cabinet room.” he told the director.
As he sashayed through the door, I was still trying to figure out why Dad seemed so different.
The director beginning to shoot the commercial, interrupted my thoughts. I just sat there smiling like a fool as my mom pleaded for donations. Finally, at 15:30, when the commercial was finished, My tutor, Tarny Tamps with Special Agent Barker whisked me away up-stairs to the sitting room right next to my bedroom.
Tarny Tamps was a tall man in his mid-forties. He had clean-cut brown hair and always wore an orange sweater with blue blazer. He teaches practically everything, because he has a degree in practically everything. To say that all those degrees have gone to his head is an understatement.
“Bonan matenon, Mr.Smartypants”
I greet him when he enters the room. I call him Smartypants because his name that’s an anagram for his name. Tarny looking very unamused.
“I had told you not to call me that, however, your Esperanto is very much improved. To bad, we can’t make further progress, as I’m sure you already know.”
By the puzzled expression of my face, he could tell I had no idea what he was talking about. He sighs and begins to explain.
“Special Agent Barker pulled me aside in the Cool hall and told me that your father requested that I should start teaching you Russian.”
My expression of surprise was enough to tell Tarny that I had no idea that this was happening. Tarny just shrugs and immediately starts teaching me the Russian alphabet.
That entire hour, I couldn’t stop thinking about my Dad. Forgetting his speech on Starship Alpha, skipping out on mom’s commercial, making me learn Russian. This was not making any sense. When Smartypants left for the day, I asked Special Agent Barker if my mom was available. If anyone would have noticed anything weird about Dad, it would be Mom.
As Barker ushered me to my parents bedroom, My mom was asking the maid which earings looked better on her. I asked to speak to mom in private.
“Sure, honey, Just make it quick. I have to be in Paris by midnight.”
She asked the helpers to give us some privacy. As the last helper left the room, my mom sat down in a nearby chair.
“What’s wrong, kiddo?” she asks
“It’s about Dad… before the whole thing with West Russia, Dad had read his speech for Thawing Day to see what I think. The speech he gave today wasn’t the same one as he he showed me before he went to West Russia.” I respond
“Honey, with the situation in West Russia, Dad is under a lot of pressure. Don’t take it personally. I understand it’s hard, but what your does father is extremely important. Remember, The most expensive thing in the world is sacrifice.” She tells me
I took my mom’s advice to heart. I came out of her room feeling much better.
By 18:00, I had just put on the custom-made tuxedo that was mandatory for any “formal gathering”. Barker comes into my room as I look at myself in the mirror, feeling stupid wearing a tux.
“Knock much, Barker?” I say while he rushes me out to the front loop into the limo. My dad is waiting waiting for me there.
As we pull up to Senator Kelly’s estate, I take a look around. It’s nighttime now. The amber leaves fall every which way in the stiff breeze. As we step out of the limo to approach the chutney colored brick structure. I noticed a figure standing in the upper balcony window. In the night, I couldn’t see their face, but something about their manner made me suspicious.
As Barker opened the door to the home, the agents got into formation to squeeze me and my dad inside the circle of Secret Service agents. As the huddle moved inside, The quiet atmosphere of the night turned in a mob affair of press. Dad is used to the constant spotlight on him, He has had to deal with it for the past few years since the day he was elected. I was just twelve years old at the time, with the day after to be my Birthday.
The large hall was filled with important political figures. There was the man my dad beat out by two points in the 3011 election, James McConnell. The former Vice Chancellor, Matt Rome, was also there. My dad’s cabinet members, Congressmen, and wealthy entrepreneurs all gathered together to mingle.
As we enter the reception room, the National Anthem plays. everyone who was in attendance stood. As my father took his seat and I took the seat next to him, Dad’s secretary of state rose from his seat and gave a toast.
In the middle of the party, I got tired of talking to senators and told Barker I had to use the restroom. In the stall, I got out my Thumb Tap and started to check for communications from friends in Victoria. Still none, Just a commercial for the Thumb Tap Mini Micro. Meanwhile, I hear a guard entered the restroom. The new guard starts speaking to Barker.
“Is the kid in the can?” The guard says in a voice so deep it was on the floor.
“Yeah, He’s really taking his time in there.” Barker sighs
“Is this what you thought being in the service would like?” The guard asks
Baker sighs again “Let’s just say, I this is not exactly what I signed up for.”
Around eleven my dad started to leave, when one of the entrepreneurs approached. My Dad recognized him:
“Hello Ivan, how are you?”
This was the wealthy oil tycoon from Victoria, Ivan Putin. His grandfather first discovered renewable natural oil in Victoria. Now he is one of the wealthiest people in the world.
“My illustrious Chancellor, I must say thank you for inviting to this gathering.” Ivan tells my father.
My father tells me to go on ahead without him, something he only does for only really important people.
By 20:00, I’m back in my room and in bed. Tired from the the long day, I closed my eyes.
I find myself outside my house in Victoria. As I entered the house, I see my mother and father seated on the couch. The strange thing is that My father is wearing a mask that resembles his face. I walk toward them.
“Mom!” I say to her.
She does not answer.
“Dad?” I call to him.
He also does not answer.
Suddenly, I see Kelvin and Sean walk through the door In unison.
“Hey guys, What’s going on?” I demand
They both stare blankly at me and say:
“The Mask is too perfect, The Guardian is the enemy!”
“What do you mean?” I ask them
They take a step closer and again they both stare blankly at me and say louder:
“The Mask is too perfect! The Guardian is the enemy!”
“I don’t understand?” I yell at them
They take another step closer nearly pressing against my face and scream even louder:
“THE MASK IS TOO PERFECT! THE GUARDIAN IS THE ENEMY!”
I wake up in cold sweat. I see Agent Barker standing over me.
“Sweet Dreams, kid!”
A mask comes over my face. I try to scream but I feel numb. I
I black out
I wake up in a cold sweat to my alarm. Rubbing my eyes, I roll over to my alarm clock to hit the snooze button.
“Why is my alarm clock set to eight o’clock on a Saturday?”
I just had the craziest dream. My dad became the Prime Chancellor and, my family had to move into the Pearl Palace. I look out my window expecting to see the orange and blue leaves fall from the large Pinak tree in our backyard in Palmer. Instead I saw an unnaturally bright green front lawn. The Pearl Palace front lawn.
“It’s not a dream”, I somberly whisper to myself
My dad is the Prime Chancellor of Antarctica. The secret service agent that pounds on my door confirms that.
“Wake up! You need to be in the limo in five!” Special Agent Parker barks at me.
I tumble out of bed and groggily drag myself over to my closet. Instead of my usual assortment of t-shirts and jeans, a single, freshly ironed tuxedo stood in their place. The extravagant tuxedo had a sticky note attached to it reading “Thawing day”.
“Great!” I sarcastically say to myself.
In memory of 1/11, the date that Antarctica recognized as a country, Dad was supposed to give a speech at the Palmer memorial. Then, I was going to have to appear at a boring senator's party with my dad. It sounds like it should be fun but, I’ve been to one of these things before. The press will be everywhere taking pictures of me, interviewing my dad, asking me questions about my “father’s policies”. Then, when we finally get into the senator's house, they play “Classical Music” from ancient civilizations like Saudi Arabia and Canada while all the adults talk about politics.
Now I had to meet with my parents to have a photographer take our pictures. I put the expensive tux on and fired up the Projo, my Projection television. My dad’s return from West Russia was all over the news. Apparently, He and the West Russian President had an argument in a private talk. My Dad went over to West Russia because West Russia had both made a threat to nuke some oil reserve in Victoria if the president didn’t remove Antarctican troops from Kazakhstan. The West Russian president, Tiran Volkov claimed that Antarctican presence in Kazakhstan was hurting the Russian economy. Even though, West Russia threatens to bomb someplace about once a month, The UN got involved and forced Dad to go to Russia to prevent another nuclear war. He came back to come for Thawing Day and was supposed to return to West Russia to talk it out on Monday.
Special Agent Parker pounded on my door.
“I’m coming, Barker!” I yell through the door
I gave Parker that nickname because he always seems to be barking something. He tells me to hurry up. I put on my shoes and walk out the door.
“You’re late, Zinc!” says Barker
“Fifteen seconds, calm down!” I retort
“You know your dad expects perfection.” as we burst through the door to the front car loop.
I shug. My dad was a huge perfectionist. If I got any less less than a 95.00 PGA score, He would ground me and take away my Thumb Tap for a month after I got my grade up.
As I approach the presidential limo and take the seat next to my mom, she whispers to me.
“Honey, you’re late,” she says without breaking her radiant smile.
She pushed a blond strand out of her emerald green eyes. Her clear, pale skin was like a mirror in the bright sunlight. My mom was a swimsuit model before she married my dad who was the mayor of Palmer at the time. She is older now but still looks good for her age. As the driver then pulled out of the driveway, photographers take pictures of our family waving to the crowds.
As we pulled to a stop, I looked out the tinted window to see the Scott memorial. Every year on 1/11, My dad gives a speech about the the history of our country. As my dad gets out of the limo, I take a good look at him. Before he became Prime Chancellor three years ago, Dad had perfect tan skin, pearly white teeth, chiseled chin, perfectly combed brown hair and pale blue eyes. He was basically Mr. Perfect. However, three years in office have taken their toll. His skin had major wrinkles, His brown hair was dotted with greys and no longer perfectly combed. Those blue eyes were now red due to a lack of sleep. The talks with President Tiran Volkov, must have really drained him.
As he stepped out the lime, he waved to people and flashed a blinding smile. He walked over to the barricade to talked to people and signing autographs. As he made his way to the podium by Palmer’s feet, the introducer announced:
“Prime Chancellor Charles Xavier is about to make his speech in memory of Thawing Day!”
He jogged up to the podium and gave a wave as the hooted and whistled. Before the situation in West Russia came up two weeks ago, My dad was practicing this speech with me. He asked me what I thought of his final draft. As the crowd calmed down, he started his speech.
“Citizens of the Arctic States” he began with a silky smooth voice.
That’s strange, My dad always said “the Arctic” never “The Arctic States”. Dad continued,
“Today marks a glorious day in our history, a day where our forefathers founded this country on the land their forefathers would have never dreamed.”
His accent showed though when he said on “history”. It happens everytime he says a word that starts with an “H”.
“I remember growing up, looking up to Jacob Ross and John Wilkes.”
He continues. Another strange statement. His heroes were Ronnie Carter and Roger Jones. This just wasn’t adding up.
Once when I was eight or so, back in Palmer, My friends and were playing basketball at my house. My mom was tending to her prize Brisco Island Coneflowers in the yard. We were playing Horse and we were all tied up with H-O-R-S. When Kelvin failed to make his shot, it was just me and Sean. Meanwhile, my dad came out and started helping my mom weed out her garden. Then, my mom put her shovel behind her. As Sean missed his shot, I was confident that I had this in the bag. As I took the shot, the strangest thing happened. The ball bounced off the rim just as my dad turned around to get the shovel for mom. The ball landed on the handle of the shovel and flung itself straight at Dad’s nose.
To this day, if you look at his nose, you can see the scar where the shovel left it’s mark.
After he stepped down from the podium, we were escorted by Barker and his sidekick Special Agent Scruples aka Scowls. I don’t think I’ve never seen her happy a day in her life, much less smile. As the driver pulled away from the memorial, I sat across from dad.
Ever since Dad became Prime Chancellor, we have had an awkward relationship. I casually greet him. He smiles and replies
“Hello Zinc, how have you been.”
He seemed to be the same as he was when he left for West Russia yet, different somehow. I just couldn’t tell how. I ask him about his speech. He looked puzzled.
“What do you mean, Zinc?” Dad asked.
“What happened to the rough draft you showed me?” I ask him
“I lost the speech on Starship Alpha, I had to wing it” he meekly admits.
“What about Roger Jones and Ronnie Carter, Didn’t you tell me that they were your heroes growing up?” I questioned.
“Son, the public almost worships Jacob Ross and John Wilkes. Sometimes, it’s more important to appeal to the public than your opinions.” He says with a wink.
I thought about asking about “The Arctic States” thing but, we had just made home. Barker and Scowls then, escort our family out of the limo into the White House. Here the family all splits up. Scowls takes my mom to an interview for her foster care charity “Home at Heart”. My dad’s usual bodyguards got into a turtle formation and escorted him to the Opal Office. Meanwhile, Barker took me to my room. As he read off my to-do list for the day, I glanced at the clock to see it was quarter to two. By two o'clock, I had to get ready to shot a commercial for “Home at Heart” with my mom. I had to study my Esperanto from 15:30. I had free time from 16:30 to 18:00. I had to to go the party at Senator Kelly’s estate with Dad by 18:30.
When Barker left, I changed out of the tuxedo I was wearing and switched into a navy blue polo and khakis. I looked at myself in the mirror. My dirty blond hair was becoming more dirt than blond. My skin was a slightly darker shade of tan than it used to be. My eyes are a pale grey compared to my mom’s emerald green and my dad’s sky blue.
After I washed my face, Barker came to escort me. This time, I had to go to the Emerald room to shoot a “Home at Heart” commercial with my parents. As I made it there with Barker, Scowls and my parents were waiting.
“Sorry that I was eight seconds late, Dad.” I pre-empt him.
For the third time today, he looks at me with a puzzled expression. Just then, the director for the commercial showed up. He shook my dad’s hand and gave my mom a slight bow. He was lanky, in his mid-20’s, and Maryville accent.
“Okay, let’s get to work, Madame.” Just then, Dad gets a call.
“I have to go. If you need me, I’ll be in the cabinet room.” he told the director.
As he sashayed through the door, I was still trying to figure out why Dad seemed so different.
The director beginning to shoot the commercial, interrupted my thoughts. I just sat there smiling like a fool as my mom pleaded for donations. Finally, at 15:30, when the commercial was finished, My tutor, Tarny Tamps with Special Agent Barker whisked me away up-stairs to the sitting room right next to my bedroom.
Tarny Tamps was a tall man in his mid-forties. He had clean-cut brown hair and always wore an orange sweater with blue blazer. He teaches practically everything, because he has a degree in practically everything. To say that all those degrees have gone to his head is an understatement.
“Bonan matenon, Mr.Smartypants”
I greet him when he enters the room. I call him Smartypants because his name that’s an anagram for his name. Tarny looking very unamused.
“I had told you not to call me that, however, your Esperanto is very much improved. To bad, we can’t make further progress, as I’m sure you already know.”
By the puzzled expression of my face, he could tell I had no idea what he was talking about. He sighs and begins to explain.
“Special Agent Barker pulled me aside in the Cool hall and told me that your father requested that I should start teaching you Russian.”
My expression of surprise was enough to tell Tarny that I had no idea that this was happening. Tarny just shrugs and immediately starts teaching me the Russian alphabet.
That entire hour, I couldn’t stop thinking about my Dad. Forgetting his speech on Starship Alpha, skipping out on mom’s commercial, making me learn Russian. This was not making any sense. When Smartypants left for the day, I asked Special Agent Barker if my mom was available. If anyone would have noticed anything weird about Dad, it would be Mom.
As Barker ushered me to my parents bedroom, My mom was asking the maid which earings looked better on her. I asked to speak to mom in private.
“Sure, honey, Just make it quick. I have to be in Paris by midnight.”
She asked the helpers to give us some privacy. As the last helper left the room, my mom sat down in a nearby chair.
“What’s wrong, kiddo?” she asks
“It’s about Dad… before the whole thing with West Russia, Dad had read his speech for Thawing Day to see what I think. The speech he gave today wasn’t the same one as he he showed me before he went to West Russia.” I respond
“Honey, with the situation in West Russia, Dad is under a lot of pressure. Don’t take it personally. I understand it’s hard, but what your does father is extremely important. Remember, The most expensive thing in the world is sacrifice.” She tells me
I took my mom’s advice to heart. I came out of her room feeling much better.
By 18:00, I had just put on the custom-made tuxedo that was mandatory for any “formal gathering”. Barker comes into my room as I look at myself in the mirror, feeling stupid wearing a tux.
“Knock much, Barker?” I say while he rushes me out to the front loop into the limo. My dad is waiting waiting for me there.
As we pull up to Senator Kelly’s estate, I take a look around. It’s nighttime now. The amber leaves fall every which way in the stiff breeze. As we step out of the limo to approach the chutney colored brick structure. I noticed a figure standing in the upper balcony window. In the night, I couldn’t see their face, but something about their manner made me suspicious.
As Barker opened the door to the home, the agents got into formation to squeeze me and my dad inside the circle of Secret Service agents. As the huddle moved inside, The quiet atmosphere of the night turned in a mob affair of press. Dad is used to the constant spotlight on him, He has had to deal with it for the past few years since the day he was elected. I was just twelve years old at the time, with the day after to be my Birthday.
The large hall was filled with important political figures. There was the man my dad beat out by two points in the 3011 election, James McConnell. The former Vice Chancellor, Matt Rome, was also there. My dad’s cabinet members, Congressmen, and wealthy entrepreneurs all gathered together to mingle.
As we enter the reception room, the National Anthem plays. everyone who was in attendance stood. As my father took his seat and I took the seat next to him, Dad’s secretary of state rose from his seat and gave a toast.
In the middle of the party, I got tired of talking to senators and told Barker I had to use the restroom. In the stall, I got out my Thumb Tap and started to check for communications from friends in Victoria. Still none, Just a commercial for the Thumb Tap Mini Micro. Meanwhile, I hear a guard entered the restroom. The new guard starts speaking to Barker.
“Is the kid in the can?” The guard says in a voice so deep it was on the floor.
“Yeah, He’s really taking his time in there.” Barker sighs
“Is this what you thought being in the service would like?” The guard asks
Baker sighs again “Let’s just say, I this is not exactly what I signed up for.”
Around eleven my dad started to leave, when one of the entrepreneurs approached. My Dad recognized him:
“Hello Ivan, how are you?”
This was the wealthy oil tycoon from Victoria, Ivan Putin. His grandfather first discovered renewable natural oil in Victoria. Now he is one of the wealthiest people in the world.
“My illustrious Chancellor, I must say thank you for inviting to this gathering.” Ivan tells my father.
My father tells me to go on ahead without him, something he only does for only really important people.
By 20:00, I’m back in my room and in bed. Tired from the the long day, I closed my eyes.
I find myself outside my house in Victoria. As I entered the house, I see my mother and father seated on the couch. The strange thing is that My father is wearing a mask that resembles his face. I walk toward them.
“Mom!” I say to her.
She does not answer.
“Dad?” I call to him.
He also does not answer.
Suddenly, I see Kelvin and Sean walk through the door In unison.
“Hey guys, What’s going on?” I demand
They both stare blankly at me and say:
“The Mask is too perfect, The Guardian is the enemy!”
“What do you mean?” I ask them
They take a step closer and again they both stare blankly at me and say louder:
“The Mask is too perfect! The Guardian is the enemy!”
“I don’t understand?” I yell at them
They take another step closer nearly pressing against my face and scream even louder:
“THE MASK IS TOO PERFECT! THE GUARDIAN IS THE ENEMY!”
I wake up in cold sweat. I see Agent Barker standing over me.
“Sweet Dreams, kid!”
A mask comes over my face. I try to scream but I feel numb. I
I black out