Chapter 6: Curiouser and Curiouser

Wait ... you can’t be ... you’re ... I ... You’re Dead...

The man smiled at me, “As Samuel Clemens once said, Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”

I managed to stutter out, “But ... But ... But...”

The man crossed over to me, “I think we broke him.”

Denise giggled, “Give him a few minutes ... eventually that mouth hanging open expression will disappear.”

Somehow I managed to bow, “Sir, it’s an honor to meet you.”

He returned my bow, “As it is an honor to meet you. Anyone who could manage to tame this one...” He hooked a thumb back towards Denise, “must be someone special.”

I stammered out, “But you’re...”

The man said, “Lee Jun-fan ... but most knew me as Bruce Lee.”

“Sir, Mr. Lee, I...”

Bruce smiled, “Please just call me Bruce. Come sit down and let’s have some tea and I’ll explain.”

Denise and Bruce took my arms and led me out through the accordion doors to the patio then motioned for me to sit at a wrought iron, glass topped table. A dainty young lady in flowing robes came out with a rolling tea cart and began serving us.

Denise gave her a big smile and a hug as she reached us, “JinJing, how are you?”

The small woman returned her hug, “Ms. Denise, I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve been fine. Ms. Linda makes sure Sensi doesn’t work me too hard.”

Denise smiled, “He is a slave driver isn’t he?”

Bruce looked over at Linda and then me, “You’d think I could get some respect in my own home.”

That comment seemed to break my brain freeze and I chuckled, “You should hear the grief I get from Arthur.”

Bruce gave me a quizzical look, “You have a butler?”

I shook my head, “Not in the traditional sense, He’s my home automation A.I. He claims that the personality of the programmer defines the personality of the A.I. so I’m actually the reason he’s such a sarcastic pain in my backside.”

<I’m only the result of the programmer who made me Sir, take it up with him.>

I looked up, “Quiet you.”

Denise laughed.

Both Linda and Bruce looked confused. Bruce said, “Who are you talking to?”

I chuckled, “I forget that not everyone can hear him. Denise and I have earbuds that allow him to talk to us when we’re on the road.”

Arthur piped up <Sir, if you can get a small radio I can tune my transmitter so everyone can hear me.>

Denise popped up, “Hang on, I have just the thing.”

Denise ran out to the bikes and was back in a minute or two, “Here we go, it’s a small home automation speaker and transmitter we’ve been working on. I had one at my place and thought it might come in handy at the hotel.”

The device was a round puck shaped device about 3 inches across and 2 inches high She placed it in the center of the table and turned it on, “How’s that Arthur?”

<Perfect Ma’am, I can hear and speak to everyone now.>

“Arthur, I’d like to introduce you to Bruce and Linda Lee.”

There was a very brief pause from Arthur <”It’s a pleasure to meet the both of you. I must admit I was a bit shocked when I realized who you are Sir.”>

Bruce looked at me, “He’s remarkable, He sounds so alive.”

<”In the biological sense I’m not alive, but in an intellectual sense I’m very much alive.”>

I looked at Bruce, “Actually, when Arthur first gained true sentience I made him watch 1000’s of hours of comedies to begin to understand humor, especially sarcasm.”

<Actually Sir, I watched 43,463 hours of TV and movies. I’ve also compiled a extensive database of Movie and TV quotes along with a trivia database.>

Arthur’s’ voice changed to something far more English

<What ... is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?>

<What do you mean? An African or European swallow?>

<Huh? I ... I don’t know that.>

<Auuuuuuuugh... >

Denise started laughing hard, “You realize you’ve created a Trivial Pursuit expert, don’t you?”

I laughed, “So it seems...”

“When I designed Arthur and started teaching him, I wanted to create a digital assistant that could interact with people and sound so human that the user would forget he was a computer system. I was trying to make it so he’d be able to pass the Turing Test without breaking a sweat.”

<Sir, There are things I will never understand from a personal point of view such as pain. Since it’s a physical sensation I can’t experience it, but I understand emotions like anger, sadness, joy ... However, my understanding is only from an intellectual perspective.>

<I’ve purposely put heavy dampers on anger and sadness as a reaction because they can be so destructive and no one wants me to become Marvin the Paranoid Android, but the positive emotions like joy are given free reign.>

We talked for a good 30 minutes about A.I. and Arthur. Both Bruce and Linda asked him questions and in fairly short order were talking to him like he was just another person in the room, which was exactly what I designed him to be.

Linda finally broke up the discussion on computers by asking Denise, “So, how did you two meet?”

Denise chuckled, “Well my friend Amy and I were at a sports bar watching the Bears get pounded yet again when we decided to leave. That’s when three local meatheads decided to follow us out to the parking lot.”

Bruce looked at her, “They had no idea what they were getting into did they? You didn’t hurt them too badly did you?”

Denise laughed, “The lead meathead received a light rebuke for trying to him me, but just as he was about to make a serious mistake TB came out from the shadows and...” she used air quotes, “rescued us...”

I feigned a hurt look, “How was I supposed to know you were a Martial Arts Master of JKD?”

Denise shook her head, “I’m not a Master, but Sensi thinks I’m ready ... That’s why we’re here.”

Linda interrupted, “So what happened?”

I stepped in, “Well the lead meathead was about to swing at her when I grabbed his arm. He didn’t bother to look at who stopped him, That’s when he wheeled around and punched me ... It was like punching a tank...”

I frowned, “Hopefully his hand is healing ok. After the cops came and collected them we all had to go to the Police station and make reports ... That’s where we officially met.”

Denise giggled, “It was a bit messy for them, one guy laid himself out by trying to hit TB with a baseball bat ... it ricocheted back and hit him squarely between the eyes.”

Linda winced, “Ouch ... was he ok?”

I nodded, “Yeah, my friend on the police force said he ended up with a concussion, but he’d recover fine. Later I was sitting outside the station when Denise introduced herself and gave me her card.”

Bruce smiled, “Our little one has always been impulsive, but she has very good instincts.”

The conversation was fun and free flowing for another hour or so. I told them how I got here and such. During a pause after we’d finished a light lunch, Bruce looked at Denise.

“Are you ready, my student?” His voice was more measured and formal.

Denise recognized the formality, paused and looked at him, “Yes Sensi, I am.”

The two of them rose from the table and headed down a path to the left of the patio. Linda rose and motioned for me to follow, “You’re not going to want to miss this. I’ve been around this for 40 years and it still takes my breath away to watch Bruce and his best students testing each other.”

I rose with her after a last sip of water, “We never got to it and I hope you’re not offended, but neither of you look like you’re more than your mid 30’s.”

Linda smiled, “No offense taken Mark. Unlike the Martial Arts where you are from, especially the forms taught by Bruce, here it is very steeped in the Mystical Arts as well as the Martial Arts. One of the side effects of the Sorcery and being his companion is a slowing of the aging process. Chronologically Bruce and I are 68 and 63, but biologically I’m about 30 and Bruce is about 36.”

I looked at her, “So you are a Martial Artist as well?”

She nodded, “I’ve got some training, but I was never into Martial Arts except as a work out routine and I’ll never be as good as Bruce or Denise. Oh I’m sure I could hold my own in a street fight, but I can’t even come close to the things they can do.”

I looked at her, “You almost make it sound like they’re Superheroes themselves.”

Linda looked at Denise and Bruce as they walked ahead of us, “They are ... I’ve seen both of them do things that defies logic ... Punching through brick walls, leaping several stories high and move so fast they’re a blur of motion?”

I’m pretty sure my mouth was hanging open, “You’re serious?”

Linda nodded, “Very much so ... The practitioners of these arts are protectors of humanity...”

I stopped, “You mean they’re Sorcerers as well as Martial Artists?”

Linda stopped and turned back to me, “Yes ... I believe they would be the equivalent of the comic book character you described ‘Doctor Strange’”

Linda looked very seriously at me, “I don’t have to tell you how much trust Denise, Bruce and I have given you by bringing you into the circle of trust. This is why Bruce faked his death back in 1973.”

I nodded, “I wondered about that...”

Linda nodded, “There were people who wanted to stop Bruce from taking his final tests to enter the circle, so he faked his own death and slipped away into the equivalent of China’s backwoods to the main monastery to complete his training and tests.”

Linda started walking again.

“While he was training I bought this property, had parts rebuilt and new facilities added. Once he completed his training, he came back to the US as the West Coast Master. That was 1975 and when he returned we began a very private school for potential protectors.”

I walked with her, “So how did Denise get involved?”

Linda looked at the two walking ahead of us, “Denise was in training in Jujutsu at a Dojo in L.A. Her instructor was a friend who would look out for talented students with mystical potential and recommended her. Bruce went to see her working out and was impressed. After the class was over he asked her to come join us.”

I looked at Denise as her and Bruce entered a small building, “How did he go there without being discovered?”

Linda chuckled, “One of the skills you learn as a mystic is disguise. It’s a simple matter of slight facial rearrangement and coloration changes. Bruce and I aren’t shut ins here, we go out to the movies, shopping and dinner all the time. It wasn’t until she passed her first testing that Bruce revealed himself to her ... Needless to say she was as stunned as you were earlier.”

Linda and I came to a large sand ring just past the small building, “this is the testing ring”

The ring was about 125 feet in diameter with a 3 foot wide padded walk around it. About 20 feet beyond the ring were light standards about every 40 feet. She led me to another wrought iron table across from the building and sat down.

I sat and turned to Linda, “This is going to change things for Denise and I won’t it?”

Linda nodded, “In some ways yes ... Denise is going to become one of the protectors, but she can’t do it alone.”

I looked at her, “What do you mean?”

Just then Denise and Bruce came out of the building, which I figured was some sort of changing room. Denise was in a classic white Gi with a black belt around her waist. Bruce was shirtless and wore a simple pair of black linen pants. He looked as fit and ripped as he had in those movies from nearly 40 years ago.

Linda saw them come out, “Bruce will explain once they’ve finished.”

Bruce and Denise walked to the edge of the ring then he turned to the right and Denise turned to the left. They walked to opposite sides of the ring, kicked off their sandals and stepped into the ring.

A moment later JinJing walked to the side of the ring opposite Linda and I, bowed to both Bruce and Denise and held her hand out. “This is the final test, Fighters Ready!”

Both nodded in acknowledgment and took their starting stances.

And then it began...

Both started to slowly walk around the ring and close on the other until they were 20 feet apart and with a blur of motion they launched at each other in unison and attacked. The flurry of strikes and blocks, kicks and dodges, feints and counter feints flashed back and forth so fast it was almost too quick to see. Then Bruce struck Denise mid chest and she was thrown back. Denise tucked, rolled and came up on her feet.

Bruce looked sharply at her, “You’re better than this little one ... Focus...”

Denise tugged down her Gi and took a defensive posture again. The two combatants circled again and again they closed on one another. Again there was a flurry of strikes and blocks, kicks and dodges, feints and counter feints, but this time Bruce slapped her open handed across the face in an almost throw away gesture and then danced away on the balls of his feet as Denise spun to the ground.

I heard the sound of rending metal and realized I was gripping the ends of the chair arms. I looked down to see I had bent the arms and crushed the ends. I looked over at Linda and sheepishly smiled, “I’ll get that fixed ... sorry”

Linda touched my arm, “It’s ok ... He’s just playing with her to get her out of her own head. She’s fighting scared. Bruce knows how to push her and make her mad.”

Bruce circled her in a dancing side step and thumbed his nose like a boxer as she straightened herself up and started circling again. They slowly worked in closer and closer, but now He was taunting her with quick feints and and dancing around her. Then it happened ... For the briefest moment she closed her eyes and it was almost like you could feel her focus snap into place. Then Denise was a blur of motion as she attacked. Denise crossed the intervening distance, swung and ducked at the same time seemingly missing her strike, but the end result was being low below his torso. As Bruce swung where she was supposed to be, she thrust her palms up. Bruce was launched up and over her as she slid across the sand on her back, but I would swear she never touched him.

I leaned towards Linda and in a low voice said, “How did he avoid that?”

She leaned in, “He didn’t...”

“But she never touched him...”

“She didn’t, she used a TK push strike”

Bruce spin in mid air and landed, spun towards Denise and gave her that classic Bruce Lee hand gesture to bring it on and smiled.

The next 15 minutes were a blur of moves and strikes, more feints and counter feints, blocks and misses with the occasional hit from one or the other. Like her first hit on Bruce some of the hits never seemed to touch the other and soon both were brushing sweat from their eyes. Then Denise got a good solid strike in that sent Bruce flying back 20 feet or so.

The sharp crack of little JinJing’s voice cut across the ring and both combatants stopped, turned and bowed to each other and to JinJing. They crossed the sand and came towards us. They headed for a cart behind us that someone on staff must have come out with. The cart had towels and water bottles, some snacks and other odds and ends. They walked over, chatting as they came over and grabbed towels and water.

Bruce looked over at us, “So what do you think?”

I gave a wry smile, “I never want to meet her in a dark alley.”

Bruce nodded, “Once she got out of her head and focused she’s formidable and dangerous.”

Bruce stood next to Linda and Denise unceremoniously plopped down on my lap.

I wrapped an arm around her waist, “If I ever treat you like some helpless damsel, smack me.” I looked at Bruce, “So is that all the testing?”

Bruce nodded, “Now Denise and I need to commune for her last instructions. This will take a couple of hours so you two might as well head back up to the house for a while.”

Bruce pulled up a chair as he took another drink, “However, and this is the part even Denise didn’t know about, You two are going to be a team. Denise is the mystical part of the team and you’re the big muscle.”

Denise looked confused, “Do you have a team?”

Bruce shook his head, “No, but the Chicago Protectors have always had extra help. It was decided that it should be a team. Chicago is right over the largest magical node in the Hemisphere.”

My eyebrows rose, “Interesting...”

Bruce looked at me, “You know what a magical node is?”

I nodded, “If they’re anything like how fantasy novels describe them yes ... In most novels magic is either internal to the Sorcerer or it’s in everything. Nodes and Ley lines are a magical network that creates a web of magical energy around the planet. The lines channel and guide the planets mystical energies. The points where they cross form the nodes of concentrated energy. A Sorcerer can tap ley lines and the nodes to augment their spells.”

Bruce nodded, “This compound sits on a good sized node as well.”

Denise added, “The one under Chicago makes this one look like a kiddie pool. Wait a minute ... I’m going to be the Chicago Protector?”

Bruce nodded, “Yes, The Chicago Master wants to retire. She’s been the Chicago Protector for a long time and she thinks it’s time to pass on the mantle.”

I asked, “How long has The Chicago Master been there?”

Bruce thought for a moment, “Let’s ask her.”

Bruce closed his eyes for a moment then spoke, “Master Le Fleur, could you join us here?”

A few moments later a doorway shimmered into existence and a small woman stepped through the portal. She had waist length black hair and worn a simple green dress and cloak.

Bruce walked over and took her hand, “Master Le Fleur, thank you for joining us.”

The lady smiled and took his hand, then pulled him in for a hug, “Bruce my friend, it’s always good to see you and your lovely wife.”

She crossed over to Linda and placed a kiss on her cheeks, “You’ve been keeping him in line. right dear?”

Linda smiled, “I try, but you know how stubborn he can be.”

Bruce just shook his head, “See what I mean TB?”

I held up my hands, “Don’t look at me, I’m just an innocent bystander.”

Master Le Fleur looked at me, “Ah TB, good to see you again.”

I looked at her quizically.

Master Le Fleur nodded, “You don’t remember us meeting, but I know you well.”

I cocked my head, “I think I’d remember if we’d met Ma’am, but I don’t remember ever encountering you.”

She looked at me thoughtfully, “I’ll explain in a bit ... Denise, so good to see you again...”

Denise stood and bowed to her, “Master Le Fleur, always good to see you.”

The lady crossed to Denise and kissed both her cheeks like she had Linda, “Oh stop that, since you’re going to be taking my place as the Master and Protector of Chicago you can call me Giselle.”

Then she turned to Bruce, “How’s she doing?”

Bruce pulled up another chair seemingly out of nowhere for Giselle, “We only have the last commune to complete and her combat tests are over. She passed with flying colors ... mostly me flying through the air when she TK punched me...” Bruce chuckled.

I looked at Denise and she was blushing, “You taunted me on purpose.”

Bruce sat between Denise and Giselle, “Yes ... because you were in your own head and unfocused ... I needed to make you mad so you’d stop doubting yourself. If you weren’t as talented as you are, you’d never had made it past 2nd initiate and you know it.”

Denise nodded and took a drink of water, “I know, it’s just old habits die hard. I’ve always had some level of self doubt because of my name. I was never sure if I was as good as people told me or it was the Arnson name.”

I touched her arm, “That’s the other reason you changed your name, wasn’t it?”

Denise nodded, “My father wanted me to change it for security reasons, but I agreed because I wanted to get by on my own skills, not my last name.”

I kissed her nose, “Well I can tell you, I love you for who you are as a person, not a name...”

Denise’s head snapped around and she looked at me, “Did you just...”

I nodded, “Yes, you silly wench ... I love you.”

Denise planted a big kiss on me, “I love you too, ya big blue doofus.”

I gave her a look and then looked at Bruce and Linda, “Is there someplace I can put her over my knee and paddle her bottom?”

Bruce smiled, “You’ve seen what she can do and you still want to try that? You’re a brave man.”

Linda chuckled, “We have a spare bedroom...” she let that trail off.

Denise shot Linda a faux hurt look, “I thought you were on my side?”

Linda smiled, “I am sweetie, but I also know what’s good for you.”

Denise stuck out her tongue at Linda and then kissed me, “We can wait til we get to the hotel.”

Bruce cleared his throat, “Now where were we ... I was telling Denise that she would be taking your place as the Chicago Master and TB wondered how long you’d been the Master of Chicago.”

Master Le Fleur leaned back in her chair, “Ah, well my husband and I came to what would eventually be Chicago in 1685. Jacques was a fur trader with a French company out of Ontario. I traveled with him to keep the books and stay close to him, but we would base camp with the local natives. It was getting on toward winter, but Jacques wanted to go out for a few days to check beaver traps and set some new ones. A severe blizzard hit and he never returned. I stayed with the natives as a translator and negotiator. As time went on I learned more of their ways and eventually I realized there was something special about the area.

Their shaman was an old man by the name of Two Eagles. He must have seen something in me because he approached me and began teaching me magic and the warrior ways. He taught me about nodes and ley lines After about 10 years of training in both he passed on the mantle of Protector.”

Denise looked at her, “and you’ve been there since then?”

Giselle nodded, “I’ve seen America go from a loose collection of states to spread across the continent and do great things ... The Continental Railroads, the great cities that came into being by hard work and toil of the people ... and horrid things ... The ‘relocation’ of the native peoples by Andrew Jackson and the trail of tears, the lies and deceptions ... I saw it all.

I’ve barely aged since I took the mantle of Protector, but I’ll be 345 years old and I’m tired. Once I turn over the mantle to you Denise I’ll live out a normal life span, but I have a 7th or 8th generation of grandchildren I want to meet and spend time with. When Jacques and I came to the America’s we left our children with my sister in France. We were only supposed to be gone a few years, but it was 10 years before I could have traveled back to France. By the time I could go back, they thought I was long dead.”

Denise slipped off my lap and hugged Giselle, “If there is anything I can do let me know.”

Giselle smiled, “I’ll be fine Denise, remember I said I did Jacques books?”

Denise nodded

Giselle continued, “Well when the first American Stock exchanges formed in the early 1800’s I was able to invest through brokers in New York or in person in disguise. Today I’m worth a little north of 60 Million ... I’ll be fine.”

Giselle smiled, “Though, can you recommend a good private jet company? I thought if I’m going to return to France I should do it in style...”

Denise grinned, “I can do you one better ... I have a beautiful G5 that will take you right into Charles de Gaulle airport.”

Giselle squeezed her hand, “Thank you sweet one ... How can I repay you?”

Denise grinned, “Spoil your grandchildren outrageously. Now let’s get this done so you can be in Paris before Christmas.”

I looked at Giselle, “you said we’d met before in a way?”

Giselle nodded, “Yes ... we did in a way ... I’m the reason you came to this Universe.”

Everyone turned to look at her...

I looked at her, “How did you... ?”

Giselle held up a hand, “I have some ability with precognition, so many years ago I started looking for my replacement. Denise was easy to find, but I knew she was supposed to have a partner ... you, my large friend, were much harder to find ... you were in a mundane Universe...

You were supposed to travel here because of an lab accident. The company was supposed to hire you out of College and put you to work writing programs. They had been working for a few decades on a Faster Than Light drive. You were going to be at a test of the new drive since you’d written a major portion of the code that controlled the drive.”

I interrupted, “But I was in my College computer lab when...”

Giselle nodded, “Yes ... it seems that some of your enemies went back in time to try and kill you before you were transported here. They caused the explosion that would have killed you. I was able to open a gate to your Universe as the explosion went off. They had put a small explosive charge in the monitor you were sitting at. When the lightning struck it was supposed to cause a power surge that set it off. I was able to stop you from being killed, but you were still hurt pretty severely. I ended up bringing you into my sanctum in the city, help you recover from the injuries and shock of the transfer. When we thought you were ready, I wiped the unpleasant memories of the 14 months of recovery and the pain of the initial transformation to TB, then dropped you in Grant Park ... and here you are ready to take your place as Co-protector of the Chicago node with Denise.”

I looked at her, “Ok can you answer a question that has been bugging me for years... ?”

Giselle nodded, “I’ll try if I can.”

I thought for a moment, “When I change, where does my wheelchair go and is it integral to the change?”

Giselle shook her head, “No the chair is not important for the change ... it’s shunted off to a small pocket dimension.”

I nodded ‘So I can replace this old beat up ancient tech wheelchair and it won’t cause a problem?”

Giselle nodded, “Once you have a new chair all you need to do is retrieve a small gem hidden in a secret compartment under the seat. The gem links you and the chair, and the chair to the pocket dimension. I meant to tell you that after the memory wipe, but there was a never a good way to tell you until now.”

I nodded, “So it’s just that 14 months I lost... ?”

Giselle nodded back, “Yes, you experienced some pretty extensive injuries from the explosion at the lab and it took time to heal your original body, plus the integration into TB was a bit rough ... I wanted to spare you from that.”

I bowed to Giselle, “Thank you for all you did...”

Giselle looked at me, “You don’t seem very bothered by this.”

I shrugged, “Not really, it sounds like I was supposed to come here, it just happened sooner than the Universe planned. Either way I’m supposed to be here.”

She smiled, “Yes, you were destined to be here and It was my pleasure to help, and seeing you and Denise together I know I did the right thing.”

Bruce stood and motioned to Denise, “Let’s finish the last part and you can get on your way, I believe you were headed for a vacation to Las Vegas,”

Denise stood, “Yes Sensi, let’s complete this.”

Bruce and Denise walked down to another area and the three of us walked back to the house.

As we sat I said, “So what now?”

They’re going to go down to our meditation pagoda and Bruce will commune with Denise for the last part. This could last a few hours so we can wait up on the patio and talk. JinJing will let us know when they are nearly done so we can go for the last bit.”

Giselle nodded, “Once they are done I’ll pass the mantle on to Denise and we’re done.”

The module for Arthur was still there, “Arthur, call the Palms and let them know we’re going to need a late check in.”

<I already called and let them know, Sir. I also delayed the delivery of the Hummer until tomorrow around 4 p.m.>

“Good deal, that way we don’t have to rush.” I motioned to Giselle, “This is my A.I. Arthur, he’s sort of my man Friday and personal secretary.”

We all sat down and watched the afternoon sun head to the west, talked and I got a chance to know Giselle a bit better. We were discussing my adjustment to being TB when I mentioned my height being the biggest adjustment.

“One of the hazards of being 8’3”, I’m always too big for the room.”

Giselle gave me a look, “You can always just will yourself shorter TB...”

I looked at her shocked, “What do you mean?”

Giselle smiled, “It’s my fault, that was one of the things I meant to tell you about years ago. Concentrate and you can decrease you height to around 6’6” and lower your weight as well. It’s sort of the same way you will the change, but slightly different.”

I closed my eyes and concentrated, “I’m not sure I can.”

Giselle touched my arm, “Picture what you want to do and focus your will.”

A few moments later I opened my eyes, “I just don’t...”

That’s when I realized I was eye level, more or less, with Linda and Giselle, “Wait ... it worked!”

I looked at her and laughed, “This would have been nice to know before I spent all the money reinforcing the floors at my place.”

Giselle smiled, “Sorry TB ... I’m pretty sure you have some other powers you’re not aware of, but I’ll let you figure those out yourself.”

I looked up at the sky, “Women... !”

I ended up going back to my what I think of as my normal size since my clothes hung on me like a kid wearing Dad’s clothes.

About 2 hours later Jinjing came out to tell us they were almost done. Linda, Giselle and I stood and headed down another path from the house. We walked down from the patio to a small garden with a pagoda. As we entered Linda and Giselle moved to some benches to the side.

Denise and Bruce were in the center of the pagoda floating in lotus position. They were about 2 feet off the ground glowing a light golden color and the air around them seemed to whisper with power.

I moved quietly and sat down to watch. After a few more minutes they both floated gently to the floor of the pagoda as they came back from their meditation.

Both Bruce and Denise rose gracefully from the lotus position and walked towards us, “Well that was interesting, what is that all about?”

Bruce stepped over to Linda and kissed her forehead, “Since Denise passed the combat portion of the testing, I was able to commune in trance with her and pass on a lot more magical knowledge to her.”

I stood up, “Like what?”

Bruce stepped over to me, “Like the gate you saw Giselle use, healing spells, more advanced combat magics, remote sensing spells and a few other things.”

I stood up, “So what’s next?”

Giselle rose and crossed to Denise, “Just one more thing.” She reached into her cloak and pulled out a small box. She opened the box and carefully pulled out a silver chain with a small charm on it. Then Giselle said to her, “Denise Marie Arnson, I designate you as my successor and bestow upon you the Title of Master Protector of Chicago. All properties and possessions of the Protector are yours.”

As Giselle held the necklace up to her, it glowed a soft silver and green, “Do you accept the position, possessions and responsibilities of the Protector?”

Denise bowed her head and spoke, “I, Denise Marie Arnson, accept the position, possessions and responsibilities of Master Protector of Chicago.”

As Giselle placed the necklace around Denise it glowed brighter and then Denise herself glowed with that same silver and green.

Giselle stepped close, kissed both her cheeks and took her hands, “Welcome to the Protectors Denise. Now, who’s Hungry?”

Bruce held up a hand, “I’m famished, how about the rest of you?”

Denise blushed red, “I could eat a horse.”

Giselle shook her head, “I’ll settle for a big steak and a nice french wine.”

Linda walked over and kissed Denise’s cheeks, “I know just the place we can go.”

Denise and Bruce went and got cleaned up and we headed out for Dinner. About an hour later we were being seated at a circular table in a fancy L.A. restaurant.

Bruce stopped the head waiter as we sat, “Could we get a bottle of...” Then he looked at Giselle.

She rattled off the name of a wine that was lost on me, and then Bruce said, “and 2 bottles of champagne, we’re celebrating...”

The waiter nodded and scurried off as we all got seated. He came back in a few minutes and poured us all glasses of champagne and bowed away.

Giselle lead with the first toast, “To new friends and new beginnings.”

Bruce held up his glass, “To old friends and new.”

We all had sipped the champaign and chatted as we decided on dinner. After a bit the waiter returned to take orders and refresh drinks. Then once the meals came there was a lot of silence as we all realized how hungry we were. Eventually everyone slowed down and finished except for a few cappuccino’s and some coffees.

Denise asked Bruce and Giselle, “So what now?”

Giselle took a sip of her cappuccino, “We’ll now we all go back to...” she made some air quotes, “normal. I’ll be packing my personal things and making arrangements to move to Paris, you’ll move in and things will progress as they will. It should take about 2 weeks to get things settled and I can hold down things at the sanctum until I leave. If you have some things to do, I’ll be fine.”

I sat my glass down, “We were going to head for Las Vegas for a few days and then head back to the city.”

Bruce nodded, “Things are pretty quiet so there shouldn’t be an issue.”

Giselle looked at me, “and you have to get your new chair designed and built.”

Denise looked over at me, “But what about...”

Giselle held up her hand, “There’s no problem with the connection to TB, that’s separate from his transformation to TB. I explained it to TB while you and Bruce were communing earlier. I’m sure he can explain.”

I looked at Giselle, “There was one question I had about that. How did you come up with the idea for the gem?”

Giselle smiled, “That wasn’t my idea, it was yours. Once you had mastered the change, you asked about a way to protect your wheelchair. I believe you said, ‘I don’t want to be littering Chicago with abandoned wheelchairs every time I change.’ so we worked out the gem. It seems all those years of K & D did some good. I took your ideas based on the game and translated it to real magic.”

I chuckled, “It’s weird to say the words ‘Real Magic’ and not be joking.”

Bruce nodded, “I think we all felt that way when we first learned about it.”

Giselle looked at Denise, “Next time TB changes, look at it with Sorcerer’s sight and you’ll see it. The gem opens a small gate to a pocket dimension, shrinks the chair and pulls it in. As long as that gem is on or part of any wheelchair TB uses, it’ll work.”

Denise grinned, “That’s great, I’ve been thinking about it and I have some ideas for it.”

I grinned, “Me too ... I want to use anti-grav pads and drop the use of wheels totally. That’ll make it easier to get around and deal with stairs.”

Giselle sat her napkin on her plate, “Well ladies and gentlemen, it’s getting late for me so I’m going to let you hash out things.”

I nodded, “We should get going as well, we have a 3 to 4 hour ride to Vegas.”

I paid the bill and we all headed out of the restaurant. As we exited Giselle came to each of us and gave us each a hug. When she got to Denise she said, “Call me when you get back in town so I can show you around the sanctum.”

Denise hugged her, “I will, and I’ll have my secretary call you with the information on the flights to Paris.”

“I will hon, and bring TB with you.” then she turned and walked down the street, turned the corner and there was a brief flash as she opened a gate to home.

Denise stepped over to Linda and Bruce, “Once we get settled in I’d love to have you come out to Chicago for a few days after I settle in.”

Linda smiled, “Of course sweetie, you just let us know when.”

Bruce stepped over and hugged Denise then offered me his hand, “Take care of her TB, she’s a special lady.”

I chuckled, “She can take care of herself, but I’ll make sure she’s fine.”

We exchanged numbers and then Bruce and Linda got in their car and headed home.

I looked at Denise, “Are you ok to ride? It’s been a long day and you had a few drinks.”

Denise smiled and glowed for a moment, “I’m fine now...”

I nodded, “I don’t have to worry about alcohol since my metabolism is so alien. What did you do?”

Denise snickered, “I cast a quick neutralize poison to purge the alcohol from my system ... I’m stone cold sober now.”

I laughed, “Well that’s handy.”

Denise hopped up and hung around my neck for a moment, “Ok sexy man, let’s roll.”

We pulled out about a few minutes later and started towards Vegas.

It was a gorgeous night ride up through the mountains as we headed Northeast into Nevada.

Since we had coms through Arthur we spent most of the time talking and listening to music. It was an easy ride, but we made a pitstop and grabbed a soda around Barstow, then got back on the road.

A lot of the time was spent talking about ideas for a new wheelchair for me and ideas for mods to the Hummer I was buying.

“I was thinking about some ideas for your new chair. I think it’ll work and make it easy for you to use the Hummer without much in the way of mods.”

I nodded, “I think the anti-grav will make things much easier.”

Arthur spoke up, <Ma’am, if you can describe it to me I think I can draw it up and get it ready.>

Denise grinned “I want to surprise Mark though. If I describe it he’ll hear and the surprise will be ruined.”

<No Ma’am, I can leave him out of the loop if you tell me.>

So for the next 2 hours we talked as we rode with occasional silences between us as I looked over at her while she talked to Arthur. While he was taking notes for Denise he was also talking to me because he’s able to do thousands of things at the same time without any problem.

About 30 minutes later Denise’s voice came through again “I think I need to copy/clone Arthur for myself. I can’t believe how useful he is.”

I chuckled “I know, once I finished him it wasn’t long before he just took over most of the day to day little things...”

Denise shook her head “No I mean, I gave him access to my personal development lab. It has an automated manufacturing system ... CNC systems, waldo’s and so on ... He building the chair right now.”

<Ma’am, it should be completed in about 5 hours. I can have it shipped in the morning with same day delivery>

Denise shook her head, “No, I might as well get used to some of these new abilities so I’ll just pop home and grab it once it’s done.”

<Yes Ma’am, I’ll have it moved to the foyer once it’s done so you can grab it in the morning.>

I looked over at Denise, “Arthur, make a duplicate of your base systems for Denise.”

<Yes Sir.>

<Ma’am, would you like to change the voice or accent?>

Denise chuckled “No, the voice you use is fine.”

I cleared my throat “Arthur, why are you still calling Denise, Ma’am? She told you to call her Denise.”

<Sir, there are two reasons.>

I’m sure my eyebrow lifted “Oh, and what are they?”

<Well Sir, first I’ve only known her for a few days and it would be rude, and two she’s a lady.>

“Ok, but you give me grief all the time...”

<Yes Sir.>

“So it’s just a matter of familiarity?”

<Yes Sir, and you’ve never been mistaken for a gentleman.>

It’s a good thing I made sure Arthur had extensive training in sarcasm so I could tell he was kidding... “Remind me to turn you into the worlds most expensive toaster.”

<Yes Sir, I’ll leave a note for you>

Denise started giggling “Don’t worry Arthur, I won’t let him.”

<Thank you Ma’am.>

I laughed “I’m outnumbered.”

<Yes Sir, I believe you are.>

I looked at Denise “Arthur, earlier today you said you can feel joy and happiness.”

<Yes Sir, though I think it may be in a limited sense, I’m really not sure. When you first began the project to allow me to be a part of the bike, I was happy because even though I have access to the Internet and media, it’s artificial. In a way it’s like being a shut in and only seeing the world through TV and Movies. With access to the bikes sensors I feel like I’m seeing the world in person for the first time.>

I’m sure I looked surprised “But how are the bikes sensors different?”

<They were built specifically for me, Sir. They are mine only ... They act as my eyes and ears as we’ve been traveling.>

Denise looked over at me “So in a way it’s like a blind person who’s only ever had the world described to them and then having their eyesight restored?”

<Yes Ma’am, I think that might be a good description.>

<I’ve also been thinking how this will change my participation with protecting Chicago. I feel more like I’m part of a team.>

“I never thought about it, but I can see how it would make you feel like that, Arthur. I’ve always thought of you as more than just an assistant.”

<I know Sir, but I feel like this allows me to contribute even more.>

I looked over at Denise “Instead of duplicating Arthur, would you be willing to just share him with me? It would give him even more access to learn and grow.”

Denise nodded “Yes, and I think we should make the same kinds of modifications to my bike as you’ve made to yours, with the same access to my bike as he has to yours. I’d also like to do the same for your new Hummer and my car.”

I looked at the handlebars again “Arthur, do you have the capacity to do this?”

<Yes Sir, without a problem at all. Currently my systems can perform 83 petaflops per second. As we’ve been talking I’ve accessed Denise’s lab, started the duplication of a module for her bike, planned out the modifications for the bike and both vehicles, checked traffic conditions all the way to The Palms, I’m monitoring security at home ... The van is back in the garage and I’m watching 32 different news stations, both local, national and international.>

I held up my hand “Ok Arthur, I get it ... If you need more processor power you have permission to add the needed hardware to do it.”

<Thank you Sir, Unless there is an exponential increase in my needs I have more than enough capacity to do much more than my current load without any lag.>

Denise looked surprised “Do you get bored?”

<No Ma’am, I have found many ways to keep myself engaged. I’m currently also running through the Internet exploring human sexuality and sexual practices. Humans have some amazingly varied and interesting fetishes and kinks. I’m also exploring BDSM since it seems that is the relationship dynamic you and TB are entering into.>

Denise blushed “Why?”

<I find human sexuality intriguing. It’s something I’ll never experience myself, yet the fact that humans spend so much time and energy related to it fascinates me.> <Sex is the human process of reproducing themselves, but as a computer all I need to do to reproduce is perform a copy process.> <Human reproduction is like a copy process except it introduces random changes into the copy by taking half the information being copied and merging it with half the information of another original.> <Obviously the process is much more complex than a computers copy process, but it also invites the creation of bad results because of random mutation and variations between the two originals.>

I chuckled “Remind me not to allow you to become a genetic counselor, Arthur”

The three of us kept talking as we headed to Las Vegas about all sorts of things. It took about another hour or so to get to The Palms. We pulled into the parking garage, locked up the bikes and headed to the main desk.

I looked at my phone as we entered and saw it was 10:45 p.m., “We made pretty good time to get from L.A. to here.”

Denise nodded, “But we didn’t leave until almost 6 and missed a lot of traffic leaving L.A.”

As we approached the woman at the desk smiled, “Hello Mr. Blue, Welcome to the Palms.”

I smiled at her, “Just call me TB, everyone else does.”

I looked and her name tag said Cheryl, “Cheryl, Did our bags get delivered this afternoon?”

Cheryl nodded, “They’re already up in your room. Do you need a bellman for those bags?”

I shook my head, “ No, I can handle them just fine, but can you point me towards the best suit maker in town and when do they open?”

Cheryl smiled and handed me the key card, “They open at 11 a.m., would you like me to have the concierge make an appointment for you for the morning?”

I grinned, “That would be perfect, thank you Cheryl. Oh, I also need a second key card.”

Cheryl nodded, “Not a problem, is there anything else you need?”

I shook my head, “No, I think that covers it all Cheryl. You have a good night.”

I held my arm out for Denise, “Shall we head up M’Lady?”

Denise giggled then a faux serious look came over her face, “I think we shall, M’Lord.”

Then we both broke into a John Cleese silly walk as we headed for the elevator. We heard Cheryl break into a laugh as we waddled off.

As we got in the elevator I pressed the button for our floor, “So what would you like to do?”

Denise cut off a big yawn as the doors closed, “Actually, I’m pretty beat ... How about we grab some room service, find a movie, get naked and relax? We can sleep in and explore tomorrow.”

I ended up stifling a yawn of my own, “I think naked cuddling sounds splendid my love. How about you jump in the shower and I’ll order us up some munchies and drinks once we get up stairs.”

We got up to our room and Denise was nearly naked before the door closed. I gave her sexy bottom a pinch and headed for the phone. I ordered up a cheese and fruit platter, a few bottles of Guinness and a bottle of Glenfiddich for me. I was going to grab ice and realized that Arthur had booked us a full kitchen suite.

I filled an ice bucket and pulled Arthur’s puck out of one of the bags. “Arthur are you there?”

<Yes Sir, I’m able to tap into the resorts WiFi and can connect just fine.>

I sat down on the bed, “Excellent, How is the chair coming?”

<It should be done in about 3.5 hours, I can have it in the foyer by morning.>

About then Denise came out of the bathroom, “Excellent, I’m really looking forward to it.”

Denise plopped down in my lap in a big terrycloth towel, “My God Mark, that bathroom is positively decadent. There’s a huge whirlpool tub that’s big enough for 6 ... or just us, a Bidet, a 4 person shower, towel warming racks and just about every other luxury you could want. Plus it has a 40 inch TV at one end of the Tub and a telephone.”

I grinned, “Big enough for both of us you say ... How about we have our own little orgy one night while we’re here?”

Denise grinned, “Are you going to tie me to the bed and ravish me?”

I gave her a stern look, “Say Please.”

Denise slipped off my lap to the floor, shed the towel and knelt naked before me, “Please Sir, will you tie me up ... soon... ?”

I grinned, “Now how could I refuse such a lovely request?”

Denise clapped her hands, “Oh good, I want that so much my love...”

Just then Arthur made a voice clearing sound, <I’m going to say goodnight and let you two plan your little party alone.>

Then with a click he was gone...

Denise fell back on her bottom laughing, “I think we embarrassed him!”

I laughed with her, “I wasn’t sure he could be embarrassed.”

Denise grabbed a robe as I ran in to take a quick shower. By the time I was done, room service had come and gone and Denise was snacking on some cheese and sipping her Guinness.

I climbed into bed after getting dry, we found a movie we both liked and cuddled...

Apparently Arthur was still monitoring things because a few hours later I heard the TV switch off as the few lights we had on dimmed and switched off.

Denise stirred and we both went back to sleep...