Chapter 2

Seven said, “You know. Two is keeping Tyche safe in Austin and keeping Alice as safe as she wants to be.”

“So that’s why you seven are Six?”

That took a minute. Not a Real minute ... but a long enough pause that the instructors at the Columbia School of Broadcasting would call it, ‘Dead Air.’ ‘Dead Air,’ is a bad thing. The average American listener has an attention span of not quite 15 seconds. As crazy as it seems, Broadcast Golf is popular because there is enough action going on at 27 Tee drives, fairway shots, approaching shots and putting greens that ‘filler’, the interaction between announcers, is kept to a bare minimum. In a ‘final round of foursomes’ ... someone will fuck up enough to keep the interest of the American Public viewing audience ... and that interest creats ‘impulse buying.’

Impulse buying means jingle in the pockets and America runs on money.

“Yes,” said Seven, “And don’t you be calling me Six ... my life was more than quite boring when I was Mary.”

The pair of women exchanged a knowing glance.

“Mom,” said Seven at the same time as Surprise said, “How you been, baby?”

They hugged like a mother and daughter who have ‘moved on’ in life. They grinned, disengaged and Surprise said, “You be good to your older sister.”

With the chagrin that she always felt when some one said, “What is your birthday?” Seven mumbled, “Yes, mom.”

Tyche was ‘almost five’ when Seven was born. Time Travel can, and often does, make life confusing. Interesting but confusing.

They both looked stern and then chuckled. Usually, when the subject came up, the chuckle devolved into belly-laughs and tears.

There are times when nothing else works ... laughter Is the best medicine.

They both wiped their eyes, shared a knowing grin and got on with life. Surprise went home and started packing the necessary, Junior went back to the deep sinks and Seven went to where ever Advanced Scientists go.

Why did Surprise only pack the necessary? Flintkote money. Surprise was about to out-spend her substitute salary seven fold ... she was going on vacation ... to Texas. Tyche was going to be surprised. (Should that be capitalized? A Surprise surprise?)

Part of her stipend from the University included accommodations. As a temp Surprise Me Flintkote could be alloted an apartment in a ‘NO STUDENT’ apartment complex ... or, should she so choose, housing in one of many of the university’s legacy homes. Many professors took that route.

Neither.

Surprise was buying ... maybe. Depends on whether or not a rental vacation property in a ‘decent’ neighborhood could be found on short notice.

No.

Flintkote’s seldom rented ... marina space? sure ... but buy the place if you like it. One can always use the use of the unit as an executive bonus vacation.

Surprise had ‘people’ for that ... the hunt for housing.

Texas is in the Princessapality and ... well ... Junior.