<meta name="LineWrap" content="true"><TITLE>SR_Bk1 0085</TITLE><A HREF="SR_Bk1-0086.txt">Next (Page 86)</A><BR> I mean, I've seen some strange things these past decades, but never a major historical figure."<P><P>"I was major when I killed President Emmerdine, but the war was already won," Grant said.<P><P>"Are you kidding? You were Lord Emperor. You ruled over half the world. And we're still fighting for the other half in your great-great-great-granddaughter's name."<P><P>"I don't know anything about that," Grant said.<P><P>"You were our great leader. You turned all of history around."<P><P>"Well I'm not into politics, so you must have the wrong guy," Grant said.<P><P>"It was your well-known reluctance to get involved in politics which finally propelled you to the top, when things got out of hand."<P><P>"You're talking about something which is in the distant future. I suppose that's where you're from. What year?"<P><P>"When I left, it was 366 NN."<P><P>"Well, to me it's almost 131 NN, so I guess we have a time travel thing here."<P><P>Pattern stared at Grant and appeared to be daydreaming. She seemed a lot happier than she had been just moments earlier.<P><P>"I'll go back and tell the others you're coming. I'm sure we can work something out. Just head for the clock," Pattern said, and then vanished, only to reappear a second later. "I just have to tell you, Lord Perion, I had such a crush on you when we studied you in school, especially the young you!"<P><P>Pattern stared another moment at Grant, smiled broadly, and then disappeared again.<P><P>"I think she likes you," Daptin said.<P><P>"We have a crazy time spinner, a spin a time, a look look look Lord Perion, a look look look Lord Perion," Pantry said.<P><P>"Don't call me that, pest," Grant said. <P><P>"So should we head for the clock?" Daptin asked.<P><P>"Why not? Grant's new girlfriend should sort everything out up there for us," Mallie said.<P><P>Grant gave Mallie a dirty look, in good humor, but said nothing. <P><P>They all started walking toward the clock.<P><P>--------------------------<P>CHAPTER 20<P>--------------------------<P><P>"Where is that darn Moisture Detection Friend of mine?" Carne said.<P><P>"I'm not sure," Pacer said. "I saw him at the strip mall across the street two days ago, but it was from a distance."<P><P>"You didn't talk to him?"<P><P>"I was riding by on my moped. I had to get to Toys'R'Us before it closed."<P><P>"Thanks, that's really helpful."<P><P>"Hey man! I had to get the Insaniac action figure from Small Soldiers!"<P><P>"How was that movie, by the way?"<P><P>"It's kind of horrible," Pacer said, "but in such a way that it could become a cult classic. I liked it, but I can't really recommend it. It reminded me a little of Last Action Hero. You know how the kid in that movie was so friggin' annoying? This kid is even worse. You just want to punch him in the face, he's such an irritating little freak!"<P><P>* * *<P><P>"You know Pacer, I think my Moisture Detection Friend likes your sister," Carne said.<P><P>"Yeah, well, I don't know what to say to that," Pacer said.<P><P>"Yeah, I don't know. Hey, how much further before we get to the abandoned ski resort with all the arcade video games locked in the basement?"<P><P>"As soon as we turn this corner, you'll see it... yup, there it is!"<P><P>"And there are video games in the basement?"<P><P>"Yeah, I told ya, I saw 'em myself! I looked in through the window."<P><P>"Well, it's such a shitty day out, hopefully no one else will be around. Gray and cold and wet. I guess we need days like this in order to appreciate the truly nice days."<P><P>"Huh? Sorry, I wasn't listening. So look, I got the bolt cutter in the trunk, we'll break in, see if there's anything worth taking, and if there is, we'll go into town a rent a U-Haul."<P><P>"Maybe we should just try and locate the owner and do it the legal way. I'm sure we could get all the games real cheap."<P><P>"Um, but we can get them for free this way.<BR><A HREF="SR_Bk1-0086.txt">Next (Page 86)</A>