Panel five of the Fresco,Civilization, in which the Jaupati order their world, shows what can be accomplished when peoples devote themselves to proper lives. Even the Jaupati, I am sure, were not told of the consequences of failure. No one wanted them to know that un-neighborly planets are free territory for the predators among us. On un-neighborly planets, predators are unrestrained in coming and going as they please, restricted only from causing an extinction.
Also, I will not tell you we are leaving on this trip, for you might then feel you had to tell the authorities and this might lead to inappropriate action on their part. We hope no one will notice we are gone, for we have left TV broadcasts and various interventions, including several for your school dropouts, to be implemented at intervals while we are away. We will, that is, I will, dearest Benita, look forward to seeing you again on our return.
Benita—FRIDAY
When she came upstairs for lunch on Friday, Benita called Angelica on her cell phone.
“Oh, Mom, I’m so glad you called. There’s some man hanging around here on the campus … or he was a few days ago. He’s been talking to Carlos, telling him you’re in trouble, that you may be mixed up with some people who are dangerous. He wants Carlos to help find you, and he’s offered Carlos money to help them.”
“Just offered, Angel?”
“Well, no. I think he’s given him money, because Carlos got enough from somewhere to rent a new apartment.”
“He’s definitely moving out?”
“Yes. I’ve taken the smaller place upstairs, and there’s no room for him. He started out being angry, but lately he’s been suspiciously helpful. I wouldn’t put it past him to have bugged my new place for this man, whoever he is. Plus, Carlos insists he’s going to get caller ID, so he’ll know where you’re calling from.”
“Even though he knows I don’t want him to know?”
“You know Carlos, Mom. When did what anybody else wants ever stop him? Himself and that girlfriend of his are the only people in his life who mean anything to him, forget the rest of us.”
“Have you seen this man that’s been hanging around?”
“He’s a little guy, with a scruffy mustache. Carlos pointed him out to me. And the crazy thing is, another man has been offering Dad money, too. To help find you.”
“Ah,” murmured Benita. “Well, well. We do seem to be popular, don’t we.”
“What’s it about, Mom? Come on. Don’t leave me hanging like this. This is scary!”
“My job is with books, as I told you, but it might be described in part as working for the government,” said Benita, voice firm, but hands clenched to keep from trembling. “I have to have a security check. I’m sure all this is just the normal hassle of checking my background.”
“Well, I hope that’s it. I’m taking this phone upstairs with me, no change in number, so you let me know how you are, okay?”
“I will, Angel. Always.”
She hung up the phone and said loudly to the ceiling. “Chiddy, I need to talk to you.”
There was no immediate response. “As soon as possible,” she shouted. “Please.”
She did not see Chiddy that day, nor the following one, even though that night both envoys appeared on television to announce that compliance was above ninety-five percent.
“We consider this good enough to go on with,” said Vess. “The last five percent is always very difficult to reach, and it is unlikely to change the response to any question significantly. Now we will start working on some of your problems, and we’ll catch up to the other five percent as we go along.
“Let’s fill you in on previous requests first. We were asked to help a boy with paralysis in Arkansas. We have helped him and a number of other people with similar conditions. We aren’t announcing his name, as we don’t want him or his family bothered just yet. When he is recovered, as he will shortly be, he will hold a press conference.
“Yes, we have learned who the murderer was of the young woman in Seattle, and the identities of the killers of the three African-Americans in Texas. Those miscreants will soon be brought to justice, in accordance with your own traditions. The press will be notified when it happens.