1. Meet The Gadget Clan

Young Gadget was pacing up and down on the sidewalk impatiently.

"Go-go Gadget-binoculars!"

The named gadget slid down upon his eyes, and he scanned the road all along, hoping to spot the approaching car as soon as possible. His parents, Annie and Jules were watching him with indulging smiles upon their faces.

The boy was wearing his favourite trenchcoat and matching hat. Many found that peculiar for a 17 years young man, but Gadget has learnt not to mind those persons. Over the years he had to grow accustomed to accept strange looks by some people, due to being physically different; a couple more staring eyes didn't matter to him. Besides, it was 1985, a trenchcoat wasn't worse by any means, than most of the fashionable outfits of that era. He was reluctant to wear anything else on other days, and any other clothing was definetely out of question today: it was the style, he imagined the perfect detective.

He was very excited about the arrival of his idol. Not as if such a visit were as a rare occasion, as it used to be a couple of years ago; the detective took all opportunities to call on his parents nowadays, no matter how busy he was. Yet, to meet his esteemed brother was always a highlight for the boy. He thought highly of him, who – despite of his young age of only 25 – was the best crime fighter of Metro City, the star detective of Chief Quimby's squad.

He admired his brother's dedication and efforts to save the public from the sinister underworld. Since hearing his stories, young Gadget never had any doubt that he will follow in his footsteps, and become a policeman himself.

Finally the family car has stopped by the Gadgets' house, and detective Gadget and his wife got out.

"I'm so glad to see you, big bro!" exclaimed the boy and hugged his brother, who returned the embrace with similar enthusiasm:

"Hello, little bro!"

Mrs. Gadget's brother was the last to get out from the car. He had to undo the seatbelts of the childseat and now he led his niece by the hand. But not for long: the 4-year-old torn her hand out from the grasp and fell on the neck of her favourite relative:

"Uncle Gadget!"

"Hi, Penny!"

Midst the choking hug, he was hardly able to say 'Go-go Gadget-arm!' to extend his telescopic arm and shake hands with his brother-in-law.

The two uncles shared first name, and when learning to speak, their niece found it too long to utter their whole names, thus she shortened it to the last name when referring to them. She got used to it so much, that she even addressed them in this way soon.

And she talked about them a lot. That was a topic she was familiar with and she felt she must speak to her parents. She was too young to understand the situation fully, but it appeared even to her, that when her parents were talking with each other, they ended up quarreling almost every time. So she tried to chat with them, to avoid the debate least during that, but it didn't work out well always. She was craving for her parents' attention, like any child; but got to a point when being with her mom's brother was a welcomed relief from the disputes. She was glad to have him next to her during this ride too. When he was asked to, her uncle took care of her correctly and conscientiously, but not because he found it pleasurable, he did it rather as amends for the little girl's sorrow at home.

On the other hand, uncle Gadget was her favourite and with a reason. His caring wasn't flawless to say the least, but he was enthusiastic and soooo funny! Just like right now:

"Look what I have for you! Go-go Gadget-toys!" he said and a teddy bear, carried by a yellow-gloved hand appeared from his hat.

"Thank you, uncle Gadget" little Penelope was delighted at the new toy, but her small hand was after something, that will be much more fun! She knew exactly which button of the coat to pull and in the next moment they were floating in the air, Penny holding tight onto her uncle's neck.

"Go-go Gadget-magnets!"

The appearing magnets attracted the lad's feet down to the fence's iron rails and the girl safely landed on the inflated trenchcoat.

"Did you see that, Mom?" she asked giggling.

"Yes dear, and it was very dangerous. Play safely, please!"

"Yes, Mom" she said slightly dampened, but then she hugged her grandparents warmly. To meet with Annie and Jules brought the smile back to her face.

But Mrs. Gadget didn't consider the matter to be done with yet and turned to her brother-in-law:

"And you should know it by now, and be more careful!"

"Why don't you two go and play in the garden, dears?" asked Annie Gadget to prevent any further argument. She was well aware of her daugther-in-law's feelings toward her younger son.

"But before you go, we have a present for you, brother" the detective said, getting a basket out of the car's back.

"Go-go Gadget-neck!" his brother stretched his telescopic neck to get a glimps at the content. Inside the basket, he saw a small puppy with golden-colored fur, red nose and long ears.

"Wowsers! Very neat!"

Most people wouldn't called the doggie particulary cute or cuddly, but Gadget liked him in the moment he looked into his big eyes. He saw fidelity and bravery in them.

"What is his name?"

"You may call him as you like" Mrs. Gadget said. "He has no name yet, I got him from the pet asylum."

That wasn't completely true. The puppy had no name, all right, just a number: 3/7. He was the third-born in a litter of seven. When her husband came up with the idea of giving a dog to his brother, Mrs. Gadget didn't waste time by going to the animal shelter, just took a dog from those, that were about to undergo experiments in the research lab, where she worked. The puppy's brothers and sisters were all done away, but she felt that it's better if the boy doesn't know that.

"Thank you! Go-go Gadget-hand!"

A yellow-gloved hand emerged from the hat and took the basket. A few moments later the garden was noisy due to the kids' romping around, while the rest of the family completed the exchange of greetings with each other.

Jules Gadget arrived from the garage, pulling a trolley with all kinds of devices and components. His son recognized the collection: it was part of his father's workshop, where he worked on his gizmos. Devising new appliances was Jules's hobby, but he had no luck with his inventions, all of them were deemed useless and rejected by every company he appoached.

"Look, son, I have something for your new puppy. The WatchDog Dog Watch Watch."

"The dog which watch dog…?"

Jules knew his son is a bit slow when figuring out new technologies, so he just explained:

"It's my latest invention, it allows the owner to monitor his dog. I have fixed a videocamera, a condensed microphone and a telescopic antenna onto this collar. Now, imagine that your dog runs away. By turning on the collar, it provides pictures and sounds, so the master can find the dog easily. I even installed the earpiece of a headphone into the collar, which enables the owner to issue commands to the pet. And the best part: it's controlled by the owner's watch."

"That's a great idea, Dad! And where is the watch?"

"Here" he pointed at a large contraption on the trolley. "Well, it's not really a wristwatch at the moment. It weighs more than ten pounds, but this is the smallest screen I could find. I must admit, cathod ray tubes are not adequate for watches. But there are on-going researches on liquid crystal display screens, I will use one when it becomes available on the market. But I thought maybe one of your gadgets could do the trick in the meantime."

"Of course" the lad replied smiling. Even though he didn't understand half of what his father was saying, he was sure that none of his gadgets could work here, but he didn't want to disappoint his dad. He watched him buckle the red collar around the dog's neck, who laid down flat immediately under the weight of the device. Jules noticed it:

"Well, that camera is a bit heavy too. But I'm sure the Japanese will come out with a miniature version soon; something like a button camera, maybe... I'll have it replaced then."

"And how do you turn on the collar, Grandpa?" inquired Penny, who followed the explaination with great attention.

"Just press this button on it" said Jules and presented it right away. By touching what looked like an ordinary stud, the camera, the earpiece and the antenna extended from the collar and indeed, picture appeared on the screen.

"Good boy!" Jules spoke into a microphone and the puppy was slightly startled when his voice came right at his ear. His short yap was transmitted back to the receiver's speakers. The gizmo seemed to work well! Apart from one small hiccup:

"So if you want to know where your runaway dog is, you have to find him first to turn on the collar?" asked the little girl. There was no malice in her voice, she never meant to hurt his grandfather's feelings, it was just an observation and a logical deduction, which she stated openly. Her grandfather knew that and that she has a very sharp wit; he received the question and gave the answer accordingly.

"Well, yes… I'm still working on the remote control bit, I will improve the appliance in the future."

"I'm sure you will get it right, Dad!" the boy encouraged his father.

"Children, dinner!"

Annie Gadget just watched smiling as the kids kept running around, without paying any attention to her calling. She was delighted to see her younger son be so delivered. He was rolling around on his built-in rollerskates with a flashing beacon on his hat. They were involved in a game of tag, apparently. The boy pulled out an 'unfair advantage' from time to time by using some of his wacky gadgets, but the little girl didn't seem to mind, she found it rather amusing. The puppy has joined in the chase too with cheerful yapping, despite dragging the oversized collar around his neck.

"Penny, come here, it's dinner time!" Mrs. Gadget's strict voice put an end to the romping. The children headed towards the house. The canine noticed the change in the behavior of his new master immediately and followed them in silence.

"Grandma has called you, why didn't you listen to her?"

"It's ok, dear. They just got into the game too much." Annie tried to reconcile her daughter-in-law.

"We were playing M.A.D. agents, Mom" Penny explained, but her mother wasn't interested in the details.

"Yes, I though so. Now go and wash your hands!"

Young Gadget had his rollerskates withdrawn, he walked after his niece.

"My new puppy is great!" he informed his brother excitedly, when he bumped into him inside. "He's so smart, I will call him Brain. You know, I feel, he could stand on two feet and act like a man…"

The detective acknowledged his brother's excitement with a loving smile.

"I'm glad you like him. I'm sure he will be your faithful pal. And I know you are going to take good care of him."

He followed the boy into the bathroom and shut the door behind them.

"How are you?" he asked very seriously.

"I'm fine, thank you" replied the lad in a cheery voice, while washing his hands. He didn't notice the anxiety in his brother's voice.

"Indeed? How was the operation?"

"Oh, that?" He never thought much about the surgery, but now he percieved the reason of his brother's concern. "It was a routine operation, the professor said. He told me that my skin might fit tightly for some time, while it stretches out to accommodate my new stature, but I don't feel anything to be uncomfortable."

The detective measured his brother with his eye. It was strange to see him like this. He didn't grow continuously, like normal people, but he got taller by a foot virtually overnight. He had no bones, whose elongation is responsible for human growth, but to make up for his maturing, the professor have recently changed the artifical frame, which was replacing his skeleton, for a new one. Last time he saw him, not much more than a fortnight ago, he was the size of a child, but now the lad had the height of an adult.

"You have grown up!" winked the detective jokingly and his brother took it in good part. He examined himself in the mirror and nodded smiling:

"Yes, I'm a grown-up now."

The family was sitting around the dinner table.

"What happened to your hair, Grandma?"

"I had it dyed to cover up getting grey."

"Dyed? I doesn't look good" said Penny with the honesty of children.

"No, it's not bad at all" Mrs. Gadget tried to take the edge off of her daughter's remark.

"It's ok, dear. Least I know now that red isn't my color. I used to dye it jet-black when I was young. Then, as I got older, I left it in its natural color."

"You are not old, Mom" the detective tried to please her.

"Oh, I have several grey hairs" she laughed. "I did get older, just not any wiser; I tested this color, which is said to be fashionable, but it's just not my style. I think, I will return to my natural brunet."

Annie glanced over her family. Jules was explaining about his newest gizmos to his daughter-in-law's brother, who seemed to be the most interested in his inventions. Her older son was eating in quiet and resolutely. The other one, on his own harum-scarum way. Penny was reminded of good table manners by her mother. Annie was satisfied. Everybody seemed to enjoy her cooking. But what really filled her heart with joy, was to see her two sons together, after that terrible thing they went through.

"Bro, please tell about what you do now!" came the usual plea from the younger one.

"I don't think it's the best topic for a family dinner" the detective's wife observed.

"That's right" her husband agreed, yet he was keen to satisfy the inquiry. "I'll tell you about it after dinner, ok?"

"Wowsers! Go-go Gadget-cutlery!" exclaimed his brother and with the help of the yellow-gloved hands emerging from his hat with the extra set of cutlery, he sped up eating. Just as did the blonde girl.

After they finished dinner, the family gathered in the living room, around the detective.

"Go-go Gadget-pillow!"

The requested object appeared from his hat by the courtesy of a yellow-gloved hand and Penny made herself confortable upon it, at her young uncle's side. The detective began another story about his job. With his wife excepted, who returned to their room, the whole family was listening to Gadget: his parents being proud of their son, his brother-in-law with greatly interested in every tiny detail of police's activities, and his brother and daughter with their eyes sparkling, fascinated by adventures and heroic crimefighting. The detective was a great storyteller.

As most of the times, he was talking about his 'favourite' criminal, a man, he was almost obsessed with.

Gadget was said to be the brightest, most talented student, when he was admitted to the Police Academy, just after his high school graduation; and at the young age of 21, he was the most promising detective of Metro City Police Force. A new wave of crimes hit Metro City at that time. Moreover, some of it expanded beyond city limits, even international connections were suspected. One of the local gangs was on the grow, obviously. The organization of Les Renowned seemed to be behind the matter, which was surprising, because Les was an old-fashion mobster, but these crimes were commited using modern methods and state of the art technology.

Gadget was the one, who unraveled that a man, named George Gordon was resposible for this change. He was only 23 years young back then, but he had a strong criminal background, being the son of Marilyn and Big Berlie Gordon 'Claw'. He studied law at university, but collaterally joined Renowned's gang, together with his twin brother. George rose quickly in the organization to be second in command; he had ambitious plans and great sense of organization. No doubt, he proved as briliant for a villain, as Gadget for a policeman. But as the detective sometimes put it when talking about Gordon: 'There is only a very thin line between geniality and madness'; thus he usually referred to George as 'The Mad-man'.

The story went on to the late evening. When the detective was finished, Jules Gadget declared:

"It's time to go to bed, kids!"

"Ok, Dad!" said his younger son without hesitation. Penny, the other person, to whom the 'kids' referred, was on a different opinion, but her uncle was quicker, and when she saw him agree, she nodded too. The two went upstairs to their respective rooms, but only after Annie gave them both a good night kiss. Remarkably, not only the little girl was keen on it, but the teenage boy also. He was right; a young lad may collect loads of kisses of all kinds of girls, but none of them will match a motherly hug.

The detective took community with the youngsters, he got his good night kiss from his mother and proceeded to his bedroom also.
When they were left alone, the detective's brother-in-law offered Jules his hand.

"Thank you for your hospitality! I must go now. Could you call me a cab?"

"Won't you stay for the night?" Jules asked. "We have plenty of room."

"Yes, I have prepared a room for you too" Annie added.

"I'd love to stay too, but I can't, I'm afraid. You are very kind; both of you… You know, we've been knowing each other for five years now, and I have to tell you: I'm really happy that I had the chance to get to know you."

"Oh, please, you are overstating it" said Annie bashfully, but the praising made her feel good, nevertheless.

"No, no! I really mean it. I really should've said this before" he said.

Jules hanged up the phone.

"The cab will be here in a minute" he said and warmly shook the hand, which was offered again.

When the detective arrived to their room, his wife was already in bed.

"Was that really necessary?" she asked and the man knew exactly what she has hinted at.

"Is there any reason I shouldn't tell a story for my brother if he wishes?"

"You are too lenient with him."

"He's a good boy, he deserves to have some fun" he replied while getting into bed.

"I think he's a bad influence for our daughter – just as your job, as a matter of fact. You know, they were playing 'M.A.D. agents' whole afternoon. Again."

"Don't take it so seriously! Just a bunch of kids letting off steam."

"Really? Other babies' first words are mama and papa. Do you remember Penny's first words?… Do you still think it's no big deal?"

He wasn't able to come up with a good reply, for it was true: the little girl's first words were 'ghoo-ghoo gha-ghe'; they were around a lot when the boy was practicing with his newly acquired gadgets. She continued:

"They shouldn't be together so much."

"But they feel so comfortable together. Both of them. Can't you see?"

"As far as I'm concerned, only because he's a clown, and Penelope finds him entertaining."

"Is that bad?"

"He is not good for her education. She is a very intelligent girl…"

"Yes" the man smiled proudly by the thought. "She took her wits after both of us."

"Exactly" she agreed with her mate, which was a rare occurance. "That's way we should keep her education in mind."

"But she's only four! Let her be a kid and have fun, for Heaven's sake!… But as long as we are talking about her education: do you know what her kindergarten teacher told about Penelope? She is unruly, disrespectful and selfish. I wonder after who has she taken those?…"

"Are you alluding to me?"

The man meant it as a rhetorical question and when his wife interrupted him, he restrained himself from answering. He continued rather:

"I think she can learn much on those topics from my brother. He's dutiful, friendly, open-hearted, always kind and very helpful. And he seems to have an effect on her. When they are together, she behaves very nicely. It's good for her." As if a dark cloud had floated above the detective's head, his brow darkened and he added: "And it's good for him too. He is so happy when he can see her. You know he hasn't got many friends due to his state."

"Or due to that he is a half-witted nuisance. We got him a mutt, now he can play with that. And you can stop exploiting your own daugther; bringing your brother a little gift when you want to cheer him up."

"How can you say something like that?" anger mounted in the detective's voice, and his wife realized that she went too far this time. Indeed, her husband insisted on visiting his family as frequently as possible, much more often than before the unfortunate event, and the reason for this wasn't only to see Annie and Jules, but very likely to have the kids meet; but he never treated Penny like an object, he loved her truly and full heartedly.

"I know that the incident was a huge trauma for your brother, and that it's responsible for his behaviour mostly" her voice was more yielding now. "And I know that you just want to be kind to him, because you feel that what happened is your fault…"

"It is my fault!" he interrupted her, and pain mingled to the anger in his voice.

It would've been hard to judge objectively, if the man's self-blaming was correct or not. His younger brother always used to be slightly rattle-brained, but he certainly became more clumsy after he got his implants. But it was unclear if it was up to that he never came to master their control completely, or that he sustained more serious mental injuries than expected.

"My job as a brother, is to support him every way I can. He loves these stories, and I will keep telling them, if I can make him happy by that. You know well, that he wants to be a police officer."

"And you know well, that I wish that you quit the police." Her husband's tone produced resistance from the woman once more.

"I can't do that" the detective has calmed down again. "People, who give a good example, are needed, in order to make this world a better place."

"But what about those people who are giving the good examples? What about you? What if it happens again?"

That was a weighty argument. Heavy silence weighed on the couple. The woman felt his husband's internal struggle. She decided to force the issue further on:

"And what about us? What about your daughter? What if it happens to her?… Could you bear if she were to end up like your brother?"

The detective couldn't answer that. He knew he were unable to endure to see her beloved daughter go through all that, what his brother had to suffer.

"Just reflect on that, please!" his wife turned off the light and concluded the dispute.