Previous Post > --------------- > > A Parrodipolis Apartment. > 11: 45 a.m. > > Catherine is in bed, which isn't odd since she does work during the night shift which makes the Am her Pm. So the sound of her phone ringing this early in the day better mean someone has died, she's being audited by the IRS, the Zombie Apocalypse is upon us or it's half off Waffles day down at Der Waffle Haus. Catherine's arm reaches out from under the covers to stop that infernal ringing. She finds it brings the phone under covers & says. "Hello?" > > "Greetings. I am M.P.L. A.I. Construct Zero Zero Zero Zero Eight. One of my main programmed functions are communications between the Library & Planet Alpha Zero Zero Five Two Four Dickens Seuss Adams, otherwise known as Earth. Is this the human known as Catherine Rosario Gillespie?" The way to chipper voice said in a sing song manner. > > "What?" > > "Greetings. I am M.P.L. A.I. Construct..." the voice started to repeat. > > "Stop for a moment." Catherine says as she sits up. > > "Communication paused." The voice said. > > "Who are you?" > > "Communication resumed. I am M.P.L. A.I. Construct Zero Zero Zero Zero Eight." > > "What's an MPL?" > > "M.P.L.: Acronym for the designation of the building known as The Moon Public Library." > > "Why are you calling me now?" > > "According to our records, you reside in the time zone that designates it is now 11:50 a.m. Given most social normals of Planet Alpha Zero Zero Five Two Four Dickens Seuss Adams, other wise known as Earth: Business can been done as early as 7 a.m. and as late as 9 p.m. This communication is with in those perimeters." > > "But what about those people who work during the Night?" > > "Affirmative. This practice does happen but a very small number of the Human population fall into this category. Are you one of them?" > > "Yes." > > "Records updated. Would you still be able to receive communication from Head Librarian Lenard H. Bookman or shall we try you later in the day?" > > There was a few moments of silence, the voice started to repeat the message but Catherine cut them off. "Bookman. As in Lee Bookman, Member of the Lair Legion?" > > "Head Librarian Lenard H. Bookman does respond to that name. Head Librarian Lenard H. Bookman does maintain contact with the Planet Alpha Zero Zero Five Two Four Dickens Seuss Adams, other wise known as Earth, based group known as The Lair Legion." > > "Why does he want to talk to me?" > > "Answer unknown. Will you receive communication from Head Librarian Lenard H. Bookman?" > > "Sure. Why not?" > > "Response not understood. Will you receive communication from Head Librarian Lenard H. Bookman?" > > "Sure." > > "Response not understood..." > > Catherine interrupted it. "Yes. Yes. I will take the call from Lee Bookman." > > "Affirmative. Will you accept the charges?" > > "Are they reversible?" > > "Affirmative." > > "If you do that I'll take the call." > > "Affirmative. Transmission will follow shortly." > > There was a few moments of silence then Catherine could hear someone on the other end. "Hello?" > > "Is This Catherine Gillespie?" said a man's voice. > > "Yes." > > "Hello. This is..." > > "Yeah. Yeah. Lee Bookman, your operator told me that." > > "Yes. Well, I've been asked to check in on you." > > "Why?" > > "I'm not exactly sure but I've told by Visionary that he was told by Dancer to have me check up on you." > > "Ok. That still doesn't answer the Why question." > > "Yes, I know. This fact has puzzled me, too. In my memory & in the searching I did I couldn't find anything connecting you to her or her to you other then your both Female & are frequently in the same city. But, I've found it's best to do as she says or bad things may happen. I've seen how Dancer's sister is to Visionary." > > "What?" > > "Sorry. Rambling. It's just I've got a lot on my metaphorical plate at the moment. Along with this call, I'm doing about four other things plus I'm never truly liked the phone: they can seem impersonal, I'd rather have a face to face talk with the person I am conversing with. Now I would have normally had you come up to the MPL but our transporters are on the fritz. They seem to have problem competing the transport without turning whatever it's transporting into goo & not the good kind. " > > In the background on Bookman's end, the sounds of A.L.F.RED fighting off a massive Goo creature could heard. But Catherine didn't know that it was just background noise to her. > > "Now I could have met you but there are things up here that I've been putting off that need to be done. I could have sent A.L.F.RED for you but he's not really a people person. Plus, If I had him doing that he probably would thought you were some threat to the IOL & tied up. He may have tortured you, too." > > "What?" > > "Sorry. Rambling again." > > "So, going back why you called: a fellow Super Hero wanted you to check up on me?" > > "Yes. I think it's because we've meet before." > > "Yeah, when your robot clone kidnapped me & my friends." > > "Yes. Sorry about that. It's a glitch that happens." > > "And you still use them?" > > "Yes. That faulty routine is there but it doesn't get used all that often. I've been meaning to delete it from their programing but I just haven't gotten around to it." > > "So, why do you think she wanted me checked up upon?" > > "Not sure. The next time I see her & if it comes up: I'll ask her." > > "ok. If you find out: tell me." > > "All right." > > "So, anything else that needs to be said? Because I'd like to go back to sleep." > > "Well, I have stuff that needs to be done, too." > > "Ok." > > "Yes. Well, have a nice day." > > "You, too." > > "Thanks." > > They both hung up. Catherine went to back to sleep & Lee went off to help A.L.F.RED fight off the Goo: it was trying to eat the a portion of the east wing & that's just not done. > > --------------- > > THE END.