ANOTHER NIGHT AT SID'S Part 5
A SIMON CREATION
Things Get Weird
The first chopper was called a Scorpion, I think, a small but very maneuverable
machine, followed by two Blackhawks, then three Hueys.
Each had an enormous spotlight on the front, the lights from which grew in
intensity as the sun faded. People were panicking now. I felt inclined to join
in the general screaming, but Sid wouldn't let me.
"Buckle", he said, "Orange. NOW."
I fumbled with the buckle as the dust cloud started stirring closer to us from
the choppers dropping altitude as they moved in.
I got it open, pushed the orange button.
We were all standing, kneeling, some still screaming, but now the screams were
echoing off vast, well-lighted concrete walls reaching very high above us.
Everyone stopped screaming.
"We're in one of the very few missile silos that survived the nuclear
nonproliferation treaty," Sid announced, "and no one, I don't care what else
has happened, can find us here."
The purple robot started projecting images on the wall and explaining that
there was plenty of food, the air was filtered and safe, there were facilities
here for all of us to be comfortable, and would we please follow the green
robot to the Assembly Room for a briefing?
Sid had slipped away, and was already there, furiously working on yet another
super console, but as soon as we came in and sat down, he began talking to us.
I noticed that everyone was staying close by their assigned NOVL. Devanti was
off to one side, opening up a large steel door, the AOL guys were sticking
together.
"Someone, from what I can learn so far, is trying to steal my invention," he
began. "Apparently, part of the plan is to control the number of people
involved in the project, even with knowledge of it. The AOL personnel who
didn't accompany us have all been killed."
This brought a general buzz of conversation, and a few people began crying.
"Wait, please, there's more."
Some people began hugging or cradling the most upset, trying to calm them.
"You", said Sid, pointing to me, "No longer have a house. Your father, pets and
valuables are safe. The robot anticipated the attack, moved whatever it could
save, and got the living out in time. Apparently, a small jet "accidentally"
crashed into your house.
"As a precaution," he continued, "I sent robots to all the NOVLs' homes, with
instructions to protect them when possible, to save your loved ones' lives as a
priority in the event of an attack."
"You regular members will be harder to attack, because I destroyed all records
of who you are throughout my systems and the AOL systems. Your accounts were
artificially terminated months previous to today for your protection."
People began firing questions, demands, accusations. I signaled the AOL guys
and started moving among the groups, trying to calm people, keep order. They
joined me.
"I'd very much like to start sending you home, either individually or in small
groups, but I can't." The noise level started rising again, and he raised his
voice to overcome it.
"At this point, I don't know how deeply my security has been compromised, and
transporting you might put you in greater danger, as well as your loved ones. I
have to make sure you can't be tracked."
Terry, known to one and all as Onefriendsreply, stood and said, "This is
another fine mess you've gotten us into, Ollie."
That broke some of the tension. Sid smiled and said, "It's not hopeless, and
I'll be working on this day and night until I resolve it. In the meantime,
Devanti is standing by the kitchen, the green robot is by the sleeping areas.
We have plenty of water, restrooms, laundry facilities, a small medical lab and
sick bay, color television, a game room and, once I've found a way to secure
them, computers so we'll be able to contact the outside. Right now, I need you
to divide up into work crews. The robots can cook, but there are simply too
many of you for them to handle it alone. The beds need to be made, dishes
distributed, food served in the mess, then a cleanup afterward. There are
massive military grade dishwashers, so nobody has full KP duty."
Sid paused a moment, looked down, and when he raised his head again, there were
tears on his cheeks.
"Saying I'm sorry doesn't begin to cover this, I realize. But you have my word,
I will get you all out of this and safely back to your lives."
We applauded briefly, then began dividing up into work crews. As NOVL Minx and
ATTA22D (Kristine) headed for the kitchen I yelled "Hey! I don't want no
vegetablearian food outta there." Minx grinned, Kristine called me something
TOSsable.
"Well howdy Pard" said a feminine voice, and sure enough, there was
MyAfricanSunrise, smiling wickedly.
"Come on, Cub Scout, I'll teach you how to make beds."
"Woman, I was checked out on fitted sheeting before you were potty trained", I
said, to which she replied, "And I'll bet you never did get one right."
I felt the rear of my kilt being lifted, and Heidi and Laura were giggling.
"Look, garter belt!" said Laura. I pulled my skirt back down and started
walking faster.
We passed Rightor, who observed that he should do laundry, specifically all
lingerie. Roger was insisting he needed an able assistant, Floyd was asking
what a meteorologist was supposed to do with himself in a crisis, Blondy was
announcing that she'd either cook or serve, but not both, and the same for her
crew.
I decided that the argument over who was going to give gynecology exams could
get bloody, so I wouldn't bring it up.
"Hey" I yelled, "Is Julie here?"
"Over here, Hoser," came the familiar and melodic voice.
"How about you grab a robot and take charge of the medical facilities?"
"Miles ahead of you as usual", she said, and she and the robot headed off
together.
The meal was served buffet style, and the variety and volume of food available
was heartening. Considering we were hunted animals in hiding, the mood was
upbeat, the conversation lively.
Someone had queried a robot about Bagpipe music, and there was a clamor for me
to perform a table dance. I'd have been a true wet blanket, but a summons from
Sid saved the situation. I wasn't going to dance, alone or with company.
Fortunately, the robots contained a wide variety of music, so as tables were
being cleared and moved from the center of the room, a dance was, indeed,
getting underway. People are people, and AOLers in general are a hormonally
blessed lot. It didn't take a Behavioral Psychologist to figure out what was
going to happen after the dance, especially since "volunteers" had taken over
Devanti's bartending duties while she took me to Sid.
When I got there, Sid was doing what he always seemed to be doing lately,
living behind a console.
Comments welcome at R2Wa...@aol.com