Mr Popular #2
Simon Travaglia
I get in the taxi, simultaneously pocketing my Magnum Magnum AND humming the
chorus to "You're so vain". Three things at once. Remember that if anyone
asks.
"Where to bud?" the taxi driver rasps, stubbing his camel out on the "No
Smoking" sign.
"Hell AND back please" I smile.
"Huh?"
"Just drive, I'll tell you how to get there"
"Listen Buddy, I got no time fo..." The driver, struck by the simultaneous
thoughts of "I am providing a service", "The customer is always right", and
"Fuck! That's a big gun!" decides to cut conversation and drive.
I like that in a service person.
"Where to?" he whispers politely.
"Straight Ahead, Second right, pull over when you get to the Arabian tower
of jelly"
"Huh? Wh.." Longevity .vs. Curiousity. Longevity wins again.
We get to the Tower of Jelly and I get out. He hasn't got the guts to ask
me for the fare, but I'm Mr Popular - never rip off a serviceperson, that's
what I say - it gives them a bad attitude.
"How much?" I ask.
"Um, ah.. For you nothing"
"No" I say meeting his gaze with steely blue "I insist"
"Six Fifty"
I hand over the money and enter the tower. The doormen move to intercept
me, then see my Beta Card is almost red. Not much time. They back off and
nod knowingly. I like that in a guard.
I get to the elevator and press for Beta-Research and slide on up.
On the way up the intercom next to me chimes "Who is it?"
"Avon Lady.."
"I'm sorry?!"
"POPULAR!" I shout into the microphone
"First Name?"
"Mister"
"Please enter"
The stainless steel door slides across and I slip into the relative darkness
and discomfort of the Beta Center. I don't like that in a beta centre.
"Ok, We'll just run some checks on your card. Please remain standing and
try to move as little as possible. Name ReVerification?"
"Popular, Mister"
"Very good Mr Popular, would you close your eyes while we flash test your
card"
I close my eyes for the sudden heat of the flash test on my face and chest.
"Okay, lastly we'll do a recharge. Please insert your card into the recharge
slot"
I do as I'm told and minutes later I'm back to blue. I have no idea of what's
going on either, I'm just following the plot.
"Thank you Mr Popular, Do you have any other enquires before you go?"
"The Welbourne Plan. What became of it?"
"You know we can't answer that. You may go now"
DAMN! "Of course. Have a nice day"
"You're Welcome"
Hmmm. 'Have a nice day' yeilds 'You're welcome'. Inappropriate response.
This can only mean one thing, the tower has been compromised. I hate that
in a Jelly. Once in the elevator I slip out my Magnum Magnum out of view
of the Closed Circuit TV.
Party Time.
To throw me off, the lift stops on the first floor and not the ground, but
I was ready for that, AND the two restraint droids that come at me. I smoke
them and pull out my Billy Idol CD. What a waste. Still, I spose they have
to put something on them or all you'd hear was a slight hiss.
--
+-----------+ +--__ Simon Travaglia. A/Prog
\ \ \ \ \ \ \ | --__ I.T.S, Waikato University
\ +--------------------+ --__ Privt Bag, 3105, Hamilton
> > > > I'M STUPID, HE'S WITH ME __-- New Zealand.
/ +--------------------+ __-- Fax: +64 7 838-4066
/ / / / / / / | __-- Send me your Pentax K1000
+----------+ +--
Science is the refusal to believe on the basis of hope.
-- C. P. Snow