The Wally Hole (IQ Testing Book 3) Page 13

  Rincon nods, smiling. “I agree with Nephella’s explanation.”

  Duchie giggles, pressing the button her new necklace cell. She nods. “I have a scientific explanation for all the deep indentations, within the barrier wall, Ms. Mayor. An e-field produces an extremely lowest frequency band, throughout the air waves, kinda like your kitchen toaster, Marsilla. The low frequency allows both radio and telecommunication waves, coming through the e-field for entertainment of kids, not punishment of teens, intern Marsilla. Thus, a low frequency band extremely separates the existing invisible arrays of charged ions, not dense, like Marsilla’s neurons.” She giggles with Rincon and Nephella. “Thus, a low frequency band will scatter its ions, a little more apart, when it is violently assaulted with a hard object, like a soaring rock, or the edge of a trash bin. So, it is true and honest, that the ions have scattered, permanently. This is causing the rotating pings, inside the electronic maps, upon this wall. Over time, the ions might collide, if there is another violent assault from another soaring rock, from another little kid. The end!” She giggles and nods.

  Rincon nods. “I concur with both Nephella and Duchie. I would like to add that the black circles wavering around on the map, inside the outer townships of Albend and Hamlin are heavy manufacturing tubs and heavier lawn mower equipment carts, respectively. Therefore, we do not require a visual inspection tour of these particular outer townships. I would like to add, that I am most eager to begin the third assignment, so I may start training to be a medical technician.”

  The mayor nods and smiles at the interns. “Very good, interns! We have finished my second assignment.”

  “Ms. Mayor, I would like to speak, please.” Marsilla raises her hand.

  The mayor swings to her, nodding.

  Marsilla clears her throat. “I feel defeated, first and betrayed, second. However, I am a good sport, within my academic learning environment. So, I propose another easy and simple suggestion. We kick the barrier wall upwards into a higher band frequency that should deter any more pings into the colored barrier walls.”

  The mayor frowns with worry. “We cannot increase the power to the barrier walls. It stands at the maximum strength, now, without harming an animal or a human. No. That is a terrible idea, intern Marsilla.”

  Marsilla grins. “Then, we place a single row of me-chee machines around the border of the affected barrier walls, where the newest black circles reside. If someone attempts to tamper with the low frequency e-field, then the me-chees will both record the action and stop the act.”

  The mayor frowns with worry. “I don’t know, that seems like an act of terror to the citizens of the outer townships, intern Marsilla.”

  Marsilla leans into her chair, nodding and smiling. She places her hands on the glass. “Well, to me, I see this. The barrier wall strength cannot be increased, due to suffering. The me-chee machines cannot be placed along the barrier wall, due to suffering, too. The barrier wall stands, at present, with the extremely lowest band frequency which might, maybe, possible breach the e-field. So, I guess the nice citizens of Colfax will suffer the dire consequences, when a violent assault of another soaring rock punches through the barrier wall. Then, the weak e-field will fall. Well, an e-field doesn’t really fall, it collapses into nothingness. The ions split then scatter, like a nest of floor roaches back into the dark corner. Then, all the outer township population will pour over into posh and sweet Colfax…”

  Duchie chuckles. “Marsilla’s kitchen houses a nest of big, black ugly cockroaches. Honey, I lived in the countryside. I ain’t never seen a cockroach ,in my entire short seventeen years of life. Bring one, in here, to the map room, tomorrow, intern Marsilla. ” She laughs with Rincon and Nephella.

  The mayor frowns with worry, viewing the maps. “I concur with intern Marsilla. I will post a small unit of me-chee machines in front of the current whirling black circles. Then, we will discover the identities of the mischievous children, playing along the barrier wall. Then, their parents will be reprimanded for possessing mischievous children. That is an excellent idea, Marsilla.”

  Marsilla nods and smiles.

  The mayor types on her necklace cell.

  Chapter 12

  Burrville

  6:49 pm. home of Buffo’s grandparents. suppertime

  I wiggle side to side with excitement inside the chair. I ate all my food, watching and waiting for the rest of the family members to finish up supper.

  Buffo eats his third platter of food, along with the hunger farmers.

  I smile and giggle, watching for the exhibition show.

  Buffo’s grandmother and her daughters clear the dinner dishes then bring inside the dining room the dessert plates.

  I bounce side to side with anticipation inside my chair. I gobble my dessert, watching and waiting for the exact right moment.

  All the mouths are full of food. The cups are filled with either cold or hot beverages.

  I view the three pre-teen girls.

  They barely eat their food, watching it lay on the platter. Dead.

  I stand, giggling and trotting towards the wall corner. I jerk the long table, holding the objects into the dining room.

  All the mouths stop chewing with food. All the utensils slam down to the plates.

  I giggle, standing at the side table then say. “I got three fancy dresses, here. Maybe, there are three girls that might, could, probably wear them, for some special occasion, this week. What do you think, ya’ll?”

  The three girls squeal then cheer. They scoot from the chairs, running towards the table.

  Buffo’s grandmother stands then yells. “Stop! Do not touch those pretty fancy dresses! Where did those fancy dresses come from? How did you order those fancy dresses from Montag? We had a supply shipment on Monday. There weren’t any dresses. Can you sew or something, Ketona?”

  “I sew. I did it.” Jara appears from the wall corner, smiling and nodding.

  I gasp with shock.

  Buffo stands, dripping with cake from his mouth.

  I giggle and finger Jara, saying and nodding. “This is my good…new friend from the other farm.”

  Buffo’s grandmother frowns with suspicion. “What other farm?”

  Jara smiles and nods. “I’m from the other farm, near the barrier wall, way over yonder, near the barrier wall.”

  Buffo’s grandmother nods. “I know there are other crop farmers and farms, near the barrier wall. What’s your name, girl?”

  She nods. “I’m Jara…from the family…”

  “Farmer Green.” I say and nod.

  Buffo’s grandmother nods. “Farmer Green, I don’t know his name, but I heard of his farm. Where’da the dresses come from, Jara?”

  Jara smiles and giggles. “I made them. I mean, my mama made them, mostly. I helped her, a lot. She’s very talented, making stuff. I just help…”

  Buffo’s grandfather chews. “How come ya, not farming on the tractor? Everyone farms the tractor, being young and healthy.”

  Buffo’s grandmother exhales and sits, frowning. “Only the older women-folks sew…”

  Jara raises her kneecap, showing the object on her body. “I broke my ankle. See my pink cast. My ankle is broken or maybe, strained from farming on the tractor. So, I was helping my mama with her sewing duties, since I strained my ankle from farming. Ya’ll see my broken ankle…”

  I giggle and finger Hatch.

  Hatch rolls into the dining room the other table.

  I giggle. “I have three birthday cakes for the three birthday girls, too.”

  The three girls run to the table, looking at the cakes.

  Buffo’s grandmother yells. “Don’t touch the cakes, either, girls.”

  Jara nods and smiles. “I helped my mama make the cakes, too.”

  Buffo’s grandmother frowns. “Why ya do all this?”

  Jara smiles. “For our friends, Ketona and Buffo, they’re our friends. Ketona, she told us about the special birthday party, so we wanted to hel
p. Ya know help our neighbors and such. We all met inside the Cubby Hole on Citizenship Day…”

  I nod. “Okay. We got three fancy dresses. We got three pretty birthday cakes. And, now, we’re going to have a birthday party for three birthday girls, on Saturday, too.”

  The red headed pre-teen claps and jumps, saying to her mama. We need to decorate the barn, Mama. Can we do that, now?”

  Buffo’s grandfather eats the cake, chewing. “Naw. We can’t decorate the barn for the party. We gotta finish the plowing and then the seeding. It’s going to rain, all day on Sunday. The seedlings need the thunder and rain to grow tall and big for food, for them Colfaxians and their hunger mouths. Naw, no time for a party…”

  I exhale, nodding and smiling. “I can…”

  Buffo’s grandfather looks at Ketona. “We cannot stop, plowing the fields…”

  Buffo’s grandmother says. “So, we will have a nice big party on Friday night, right here, in the dining room. The girls can wear their fancy party dresses and then eat their pretty fancy cakes, too. How’s that, girls?”

  The three girls nod, without speaking.

  I frown with fury, without yelling. I exhale, biting my lower lip.

  Buffo slides to Ketona, hugging her and praying for no yelling at his grandparents.

  The mothers of the three pre-teens stand, walking to both Ketona and Jara with tears in their eyelashes. Each one hugs both Ketona and Jara, thanking them.

  Buffo’s grandmother stands, saying. “Supper is done! Mamas, take the fancy party dresses up to your rooms, before something happens to them dresses. And, Buffo, you boys roll the cake and table into the refrigerator unit, before the frosting melts in the heat.” She nods and smiles. “Thanks, Ketona and Jara, the girls will have a wonderful party on Friday night.”

  I nod, exhaling with defeat. I walk to the table, lifting the dirty dishes for both me and Buffo. I follow his grandmother into the kitchen, washing the dishes, like last night, the night before, and the night, before that.

  This is my life, farming.

  My farm house

  I stomp up the steps then slam the door shut. Before it hits the frame, Buffo catches it. He says. “Look, we got the girls the dresses and the cakes…”

  I walk around the kitchen, tossing my hands. “That is not enough. A dress and a cake and some presents do not make a thirteen year old coming out party, turning into a posh teenager.” I grab the mixing bowl, tossing at the wall.

  The bowl shatters into pieces.

  Buffo frowns with confusion. “They’re getting a party on Friday night.”

  “They wanted the party on Saturday night with music, dancing, and fireworks, like my thirteen year old party.” I whine, walking around the kitchen, feeling depressed.

  Buffo frowns. “I don’t know, what else to do, Ketona. Ya got any ideas, Hatch?”

  Hatch nods. “Me and Jara could decorate the barn, while ya’ll farm.”

  Buffo frowns. “Naw, you could get me and you both into trouble. We’re all supposed to be farming and planting, before the great big rain storm for the food crops. Everyone, who’s both healthy and young, farms on the farm. My grandfather is right. We gotta finish the plowing and staring the seedling planting, tomorrow…”

  Jara looks out the window. “Where’s the barn at? I can’t see anything, but orange dirt.”

  Buffo waves his hand. “Over yonder, way over yonder, near the river and the cow pastures. There’s a row of barns for the horses, the cows, the hay stacks, and tractor parts.” He yawns then rubs his belly. “I gotta go to bed, ya’ll. Our little nightly hunting trips have been costing me some good time sleep. I can’t run a tractor tired.” He walks to Ketona, hugging and then kissing her hair roots. “You did good, darling. My little nieces are so excited. They won’t be sleeping this week, until they can wear their new dresses on Friday night.”

  I nod, kissing his face. “Thanks! I wish I could do more.”

  Buffo swings then shakes Hatch’s hand, nodding. “Thanks for the pretend save. That was clever. I was wondering, how to explain away both the dresses and cakes, without fibbing. I don’t like fibbing.”

  Hatch chuckles and slaps Buffo on the bicep. “I don’t like, seeing little girls cry, so I fib to save the day.”

  Buffo nods, slipping his arm around Ketona. “Night, Jara! Thanks for the save.”

  Jara nods, smiling.

  I walk with Buffo towards the front door. “Good night, Buffo! See ya’ll, tomorrow, at breakfast!” I watch Buffo enter the rear door of his grandfather’s house then swing around, rubbing my hands. I walk then stand inside the kitchen, saying and nodding. “We’re going hunting, again, ya’ll.”

  Jara giggles. “Hunting, for what?”

  I nod, saying. “Some nice and pretty decorations, covering the old barn for the girls and their birthday party on Saturday night. The barn is way over yonder, away from the house and family. So, every night, we do some decorating, inside the old barn. This is, only, Tuesday evening. We got four days, until Saturday evening. I guess the party should be in the evening to light off the fireworks.” I nod, walking out the rear door.

  Jara smiles, following Ketona, holds Hatch by the hand. “We go back into Montag, tonight, buy out the other stores. O! We need a theme, a party theme for the girls, too.”

  I load the flier onto my back, nodding and smiling. “Yeah, we need a party theme. I know, fly me to the stars. We have an outer space party with stars, hanging from the rafters…”

  Hatch chuckles and straps on the flier. “Jara, ya gotta fly by your little selfie, tonight. We need the extra power for the three or four or more e-field carts with stuff.”

  Jara nods, strapping onto her back a flier, too. “We hang many rocket ships with a tail of sizzling sparkers from the booster engines. Then, we scatter the stars around the floor in different pretty colors.”

  I nod, grabbing the rope of the e-filed cart. “Okay. We each drag an e-field cart or two behind us towards the barn, then we start decorating. We should be finished by dawn, if we’re lucky...”

  Buffo’s grandparents’ farm and the northeastern orange colored barrier wall

  I land the flier then skip towards the orange barrier wall. I study the wall, looking for the old wounds, but I can’t find them. The charged ions quickly reconstitute, after I jerk out the magnets.

  Hatch and Jara stand at the fliers, whispering into each other’s face.

  I stab the three magnets into the barrier wall quickly, building my right 90 degree angle.

  The wall parts smoothly, when the me-chee falls and then lands its back inside the orange soil.

  I gasp with shock.

  The me-chee rises on bend kneecaps, facing the opening then swings around to Ketona. “What happened? Identify your person, teen?”

  “Who are you?” I drop my mouth, asking.

  “I am a me-chee.”

  Hatch laughs. “Do you know that a defender will hesitate three times longer to kill off an intelligent artificial life form than a non-intelligent artificial life form, like 36.5 seconds longer?”

  I slam the me-chee between the legs.

  The me-chee falls forward on its smirking face. Still.

  I giggle. “Three point five seconds for me.”

  Hatch pulls off his scarf, studying the me-chee. “Where’s the kill switch on the me-chee?”

  I squat, rubbing the machine, feeling the warmth of activation. But, I ensure it is powered down. “On a female, it’s the left breast. On the male, it’s the left…”

  “Get it!” Hatch laughs, guarding his legs.

  Jara gasps. “What’s a me-chee doing here, guarding the barrier wall?”

  Hatch says. “It’s a garbage me-chee. The hillside is the garbage pit in Montag. They clean it all day and all night.”

  I jerk the three magnets from the barrier wall.

  The wall collapses into solid form.

  I stand, clapping and smiling at Jara. “Okay, we have a new plan. Our new f
riend is going to clean out the barn and then decorate it for us, while I work, tomorrow, on the tractor. And, you, my dear friends, just relax and eat the food inside the house.” I grab the arm. “Help me flip the me-chee on its back.”

  Hatch squats, exhaling. “Why? He weighs about one thousand pounds. How’da ya know about the kill switch?”

  “Okay, on three. Three,” I yell.

  We flip the me-chee on its back with a thud of orange dust.

  I exhale from lifting the heavy machine. I stand and walk with Hatch towards the tractor. I say. “Buffo was gonna be a me-chee designer. So, I helped him with the me-chee calcs and specs sheets. All pre-built me-chee modules have to be both connected and tested for an accurate performance, in case, one becomes too unstable, or too violent, then the designer slaps the kill switch circuit off. It really is labeled an emergency cut off switch.” I open the tool box, finding the screwdriver. I walk back to the me-chee. “Every good me-chee designer creates a kill switch, like a back door into the software of your cell.”

  Jara kneels in the dirt, next to Hatch, watching Ketona. “What are our doing, Ketona?”

  I unscrew the throat panel. “The me-chee programming is located under the chin. I’m creating a dual program. I’m redefining the ‘garbage’ function into a ‘party’ function, ordering Mr. Me-chee to decorate the barn for the birthday party, and take orders only from me. The me-chee can be really nasty, if they didn’t have a leader-type human person.” I click the buttons with the screwdriver, typing out the code and then slam the panel shut. I say in my natural soprano timber. “Me.” I stand, motioning Jara and Hatch from the me-chee. I shout. “Me-chee rise.”

  The me-chee shivers side to side on the ground and then bends its elbows and kneecaps, into a doggie pose. Then, it slowly stands on its kneecaps, placing on foot at a time on the ground. It stands, not smiling, holding the famous smirk.

  The me-chee is silver toned color with an orange jumpsuit. The e-field radiation droplets converted the blue colored jumpsuit into orange, when he fell through the wall opening. It wears a cropped hair of black, without carrying any pen, pencil, or weapon.