Ch 117
The Bronco finally came home. Joan and Bob flew to Dallas and found their tires were ready. They got the flat ones off and the new ones on. Their apartment would have electric in another week. Going to the stadium, they found the schedule had been wrecked, but they still had a game in two weeks against Houston, then the week after that, they were going to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers. Yay, they were going to get to play football again.
Life was getting somewhat back to normal. Well, except for the political signs everywhere to 'elect, or re-elect' someone. Signs on the road side, hung up at intersections and on buildings.
Joan was called to give an interview with reporters. She thought it was for their comeback to football, so she wore her Cowboys uniform to the official press room for the team. Coach Emerson came with her, eager to tell the press they were ready.
Going in, Joan bounced up to the mike in front of a few cameras and reporters. She waved to them. "Hi guys, yes after all the trouble, we are going be playing football again! We have a game against Houston, then Pittsburgh, so I hope they are training hard."
The red headed reporter asked, "Miss Connor, do you think your Father, John Connor has a real chance at being elected President?"
Joan stared at him. "Why are you asking me about that? I thought we were going to discuss football."
"That was my assumption as well," coach Emerson said.
A reporter asked, "Normally, but the country is on fire with wanting to know about John Connor. Coach, what is your opinion on John Connor being elected President? Do you think think he's doing a good job as Administrator?"
"I have no comment," Coach Emerson said. "Like Joan said, we are here to discuss our football season, or rather, what's left of it."
Joan shook her head. "If you're not here to discuss football, I have practice to get back to. We've been off training for too long, and we need to concentrate on our games coming up."
"We are only trying to let people know everything we can about John Connor. For instance, are you ashamed with the fact you have two mothers?"
Joan exploded. "What the hell does that have to do with anything? Are you trying to dig dirt on Dad, it that it? I have two mothers, so WHAT! If we're all happy, then what's it to you?" Pointing her finger at them Joan said, "I happen to be damn proud of and love both my mothers. They taught me by example how to be the very best I can be as Dad did! I am so sick of hearing how their 'polygamy', has somehow damaged us. The exact opposite is true! Guess what, I'm in the same type of relationship because I want to be! I like the extra support and companionship. I really believe the rest of the world is jealous, because they don't have the guts to live like they want, and can't handle someone who's different. They'd rather have a secret lover on the side, and end up wrecking the relationship they DO have. As far as Dad goes, he's too GOOD to be stuck in a fishbowl in such a thankless job as President where he'll be scrutinized and lied about for someone else's political gain. He won't do anything but his very best and promote FACTS, not rhetoric that sounds good. Since we're not going to talk football, I have practice to get back to!"
Joan then stomped away out of the room.
Coach Emerson suppressed a grin. "This Interview is over, we got work to do."
Joan's anger made the news. It also bumped up the polls for John Connor by another four points. The media was also now rabid about trying to find the place the Connors called home.
.
Bob knew Joan was upset about something. He was playing receiver to Joan's throws so no one else would get hurt. She was throwing rockets. The trajectory of the balls she thew at him was low, and they came on fast. Even knowing how to catch these big bullets, she knocked him down a couple times. She was dead on target, even from the other end of the field. After the last screaming football to impact him and rip his sweat suit open, he jogged the football back to her instead of throwing it.
"OK, hon, what's up?" he asked and handed the ball to her.
Seeing his top ripped open and the purple of his skin underneath, Joan winced. "Sorry, I'm just upset with those news people."
"Forget them. Unless the coach plans in making me a receiver, you're going to send people to the hospital with those throws. Back it off a bit, OK? Besides, the balls going so low will give he other team a chance to try and grab it. Even if they don't, they will knock it aside and the pass will be incomplete."
Joan nodded, "You're right. Sorry."
"And you're going to rub these bruises out later?" he asked with a grin.
Joan returned his grin "Yeah, I will."
"Ohhh goodie!" he beamed and ran back downfield.
Joan practiced lobbing the ball more. She had to be kinder to her receivers. Especially Bob.
.
Peggy noted that when she and Nana went out to fee Allie Gator. Allie was standing up a little higher than she normally did. Instead of the right angle pose, she was all the way up on her legs. She also seemed to move faster. Of course a few of the four footers also showed up for their breakfast. Once their meals were chomped down, Allie went up and rubbed her snout against Peggy's leg. Peggy petted under Allie's mouth she felt Allie liked that. After some attention, Allie Gator laid down and took a nap.
Allie Gator was feeling good. The tall ones were feeding her, and her hatchings were getting bigger. In her home place, she was content. The big cave the tall ones went into, was closed off. She vaguely remembered once, she had gotten in and they carried her back out. Then again at one time her favorite sunning spot they had taken her out of. Since she could now lay in her favorite spot, maybe she could go into that big cave?
Getting up Allie went up the stairs and onto the porch. How to get in? She pushed on the door. No, that didn't work. Seeing the handle she lifted up to pull on it with her mouth. Trying different grips, the door moved out some. She got her nose behind it and pushed it open.
There was a solid door behind the one that tried to close. Eyeing the door she remembered tall ones grabbed the shiny now and turned. leaning up with a paw on the edge, she mouthed the round knob. After a few tries it turned and the door swung open. This one opened wide. Getting down, she wiggled against the first door lightly pushing against her and she was inside. The first door shut itself when her tail came in.
Looking back, she knew the doors were usually shut. She turned around an nosed the inside door shut. Where were the tall ones? Looking into an opening, she saw legs protruding from a raised place to stretch over to another raised place.
.
Kouta and Kaede were relaxing on the couch. They had been listening to instrumental music, then Kaede noted something was looking at them. She turned her head to see Allie Gator watching them.
"Kouta, there's an alligator watching us," she said blankly.
Kouta looked to see she was right. "The one from the yard. Someone let it in?"
"Hope it's not hungry," Kaede said with a smirk.
"I don't want anything nibbling on your legs but me," Kouta said firmly.
Kaede laughed.
Looking a where the pair were sitting, it looked soft and comfortable. Allie put her snout up on the seat by Kaede. Yes, this was a soft place. Better than grass. She climbed her front feet up on and ran into a problem. There wasn't enough room. She looked at the all ones. Was there enough room to just lay across them?
"What's it doing?" Kouta asked.
Kaede let out a snort. "I think it wants to lay on the couch."
"I think we better let it." Kouta said and got up. Kaede got up. They watched as the alligator climbed up on the couch and laid down, the end of it's tail hanging off the end.
"Since we got kicked off the couch, let's go shut whatever door was left open," Kaede said.
Allie Gator closed her eyes. Yes, this thing was nice to lay on.
.
Kouta didn't find an open door. Jackie and Daniel were out and JJ and his wives had gone to her parent's farm, Nana and Mayu went with them to go see a farm. "Someone had to have let it in," Kouta concluded.
"I suspect Yuka did before she went into town," Kaede grumbled.
"Why would she do that?" Kouta asked.
"Maybe she was hoping it would eat me," Kaede stated.
"Yuka isn't that mean," Kouta said. He paused and added, "OK, maybe, but I still think one of the kids left a door open."
.
Jackie saw Barnabas and Daniel off to go visit his mother and check on the factory up north. Yuka had wanted to go shopping, so after Jackie say the boys off, she went with her. While Nana, Mayu and Kaede were studying hard to learn English, Yuka wasn't. She's learned English already. And Yuka had a horrible accent and got words wrong. To make sure Yuka didn't make any mistakes, Jackie felt she had to go with her.
The grocery store went well up to the checkout counter. Yuka thought she could pay with yen. Jackie handed the woman Mom's card to pay. They got the groceries out into Christine's trunk.
Yuka told her, "You didn't have to pay."
"Yes I did, it was easier." Jackie replied.
They went to get in. Jackie got in the driver's seat. Yuka's door was locked. She tapped on the window.
Jackie let out a huff. "Christine, please let Yuka in. We're taking care of them for a while and I don't want Mom mad at me."
The door unlocked.
Yuka got in. "Your mother had auto door latches put on this car?"
Instead of trying to explain, Jackie just nodded. "Yuka, you need to be nicer to Kaede." she said.
Yuka frowned. "She's taking my Kouta."
"I don't think Kouta belongs to you," Jackie said."Maybe of you were nice to Kaede and Kouta, Kaede would share him with you."
"I think I should go back to Japan," Yuka said sadly.
Jackie glanced at her. "But, your family is here."
Yuka shook her head and let out a sigh.
That irritated Jackie. "I remember when Bob's father left him and his mother. They had a hard time of it. I think if it wasn't for Joan, they would have had a much harder time. Delilah mom did her best to help Carol recover from that. I saw him leaving as total disregard to his family. Do you really want to make your family sad?"
"Jackie, you too young to understand." Yuka said sadly.
"That's bullshit!" Jackie retorted. "You don't think Nana, and especially Mayu would miss you? You don't think Kouta would? They are your family, Yuka, and you do care about them or you wouldn't be here."
"Tell me, would you share Daniel with another woman?" Yuka asked in a hard tone.
"If I was close to her, maybe. Joan and Allison have been close friends their entire lives. They have no problem sharing Bob. JJ has Peggy, but Lily joined them. They all agreed to it, and they're happy," Jackie told her. "They get along fine. The one thing they or my moms are not, is selfish."
"You think I'm selfish?' Yuka asked, surprised at her.
"Yes, I do! You think of Kouta as just yours, when obviously, he's not. You can' handle the fact he cares for Kaede too."
"Kaede is a killer" Yuka snapped.
"So am I," Jackie snapped back. "So is Christine here, and most of my family! The one thing is we NEVER, EVER try to hurt our own family!"
"This car kills people?" Yuka asked in disbelief.
"She has, and from what I know, she did it to help Delilah Mom keep the bad guys away from us," Jackie stated. "We love Christie, she is part of our family. She does her part to keep us safe. Even Allie Gator won't let anyone hurt us, either. Our family is not normal, by any means, but We. Stick. Together! Forget Kaede is a killer, from what I've seen she is doing what she can for her family. You know if someone bad comes for you, Kaede will be right there in front to fight and keep you safe. Maybe you should think about that."
That ended the conversation. Yuka sat frowning in thought the rest of the way home.
.
The alligator was sacked out, sleeping on the couch. Well, there was laundry to be done anyway. Kouta helped Kaede collect it all up, then went out to mow the grass. Thankfully, the alligators in the yard moved then he approached with the mower. He watched carefully because some of them were small, like only a foot long. After he did an area, they moved into the freshly cut grass. Living with these creatures, he knew to be careful, but was no longer fearful of them. He got the mowing done. Seeing Christine roll down the driveway and back up to the kitchen door. He went to help them load groceries in the house.
Grabbing a couple bags each, Jackie and Yuka began bringing the groceries in. They went out for more and met Kouta coming on with two more bags.
"Where's Kaede?" Yuka asked.
"Doing laundry," Kouta replied. "Where do you want these?"
"Counter thanks for helping, I'll get the last two, " Jackie replied.
"By the way, did either of you leave a door open when you left?" Kouta asked.
"We didn't," Yuka told him. She began to put stuff away.
Kouta helped. "Someone did. We need to be careful about that."
Jackie came in and closed the door with her foot. "Kouta we got this."
"Actually I should go down and see if Kaede wants any help," Yuka said.
"That's fine, I'll help Jackie."
Kouta asked Jackie too about leaving a door open as Yuka left.
"No, we know to keep the doors shut," Jackie told him. "I take it someone did leave a door open?"
"They did, and the Allie Gator got in the house."
Jackie frowned. "Someone let her back out?"
"She's sleeping in the living room on the couch."
.
Downstairs the washer and dryer were going, but no Kaede. Yuka thought maybe she was back upstairs. Going back up she thought hard about what Jackie told her. Was it her own pride that was keeping Kouta away from her? She didn't think so, but if Kouta was that set on having a horned killer as him lover, then her only chance with Kouta was to find a way to be accepted by Kaede.
Deep in thought, she only scanned the living room for Kaede. Well, Kaede and Kouta liked quiet time on the couch, so Yuka figured she show up here eventually. She noted the stereo was still playing a she plopped down on the couch.
Right away, if the bumpy seat didn't tell Yuka something wasn't right, the alligator head whipping up, it's long mouth full of teeth open as it hissed, told her she was in big trouble.
.
The groceries were put away when Yuka's wailing scream pealed out though the house. Kouta and Jackie raced out of the kitchen to see Yuka fly out of the living room, arm flailing. she tripped on the edge of the rug and fell to frantically crawl across the floor. Kaede flew down the steps from upstairs.
Breathing in ragged pants, Yuka stumbled up to face Kouta, He held her for support. "Yuka, what is it?" he asked.
Gripping his arms, Yuka's pale terrified face got out, "I nearly died!"
"Yuka, what happened?" Kaede asked firmly.
"The... couch ... it was... on the couch!" Yuka said in gasps.
"I take it you tried to sit on the couch?" Kouta asked.
Yuka nodded.
Kaede and Jackie burst out laughing. "You sat on an alligator?" Kaede asked in disbelief, "Tell me you didn't see it. It's pretty hard to miss!"
Jackie laughed and headed for the living room. She went in to find Allie Gator standing on the couch and watching the doorway. "Ohhh, did someone sit on you?" she asked in a coo, then giggled again.
Jackie picked up the coffee table and moved it around the the back side of the couch. Allie Gator got down. This was a comfortable place to lay, but the tall people didn't watch what they were doing. It was safer out in the sunny area. She followed Jackie out . Jackie opened the door for Allie to amble back out into the yard.
In the big cave was not a good place to lie down.
.
John was in another meeting of representatives who he was sure were once again going to try to get him to let them change something in the Constitution. They were waiting for the House Speaker to arrive so they could argue pointlessly again on something he had no say in. His cell phone rang.
"Sir, you should use only White House communications." One of his advisors said.
John ignored him and looked at the number. "Jackie? ... OK, calm down, what is it? ... How'd she get in the house? ... Yuka sat on her? Jackie, HOW did that alligator get in the house?"
John face planted. " So you're trying so tell me she let herself in? ... OK, is Yuka all right? ... Do not let that happen again! ... I don't know when we'll be done here. Soon as possible, OK? Jackie I have a meeting here I have to go ... Right, love you too. Bye."
John hung up, He rubbed his face and looked up to see everyone looking at him. He waved a hand and explained, "That was my daughter. Apparently somehow the alligator got in the house and was sleeping on the couch. Yuka didn't see her and sat on her. Yuka had a bad fright, no one was hurt and Jackie got the alligator back outside."
"This alligator isn't very big?" one man guessed.
"Nine feet the last time she was measured. That was a while ago," John told him. "It's like the kid's pet. She usually hangs out in the front yard when she's around."
"Isn't that dangerous?" a woman cried.
"Not to anyone in the family. She can be rather unfriendly to strangers," John explained. "Are we ready to start this meeting yet?"
A tip from a 'source' got it in the papers that John Connor's family keeps a wild, full grown alligator as a pet that his kids feed. It even slept inside on a couch. The media now focused on this alligator, and the fact the Connors lived in somewhere in the south that had alligators.
Reporters flocked to Florida.
.
Houston hosted the first game. They played hard, Joan kept up her touchdown plays, missing a touchdown first time her had the ball once. Houston was also doing well on touchdowns, but it took them mush longer to get down field. After a win there, they went to Pittsburgh. The Steelers had heart, but too many rookies, and got rolled over by Dallas. Joan was happy, they were playing again.
Coach Emerson tried to get a game with the Patriots, but the Governors there had kept up state wide oil restrictions, as it was 'environmentally responsible' to do. In those states, calls were coming to recall or impeach those Governors. They did get a game with the Kansas City Chiefs.
At the airport inside the terminal, reporters were waiting. They wanted to talk to Joan. Joan was tired of those people and slipped around to get on the bus before they found her. They never asked her about football, only her Dad. She really hoped he would be done with that job soon!
Joan's hopes were dashed on the way to the stadium. She saw several signs, and even a full billboard asking people to 'write in' John Connor for president. Another sign proclaimed : He's on! John Connor is officially on the ballot for President! Vote for the man who is for the people!.
In the stadium near the locker rooms, Joan was sure this reporter was here to talk football. She even had a NFL tag on her press badge. Still the first question out of her mouth was, "Joan Connor! tell us about the alligator at your house, it is really your pet?"
Joan rolled her eyes. "Back in high school I started feeding her. Yes, she hangs around for food, and no, she's never bitten anyone. The closest was Willy. He tried to keep me from going in the lake, and she thought he was attacking me, so she went after him. I had to hold him over my head so she didn't get to him."
"This alligator didn't try to bite you."
"No, but she kept trying to climb up on me to get to him. I called for help, but Willy was screaming so loud It took a while for anyone to come. Allie Gator, as Nana calls her, knows family and who should be around. Willy, she didn't know, and she saw him pushing on me, so she went after him."
"So this Allie Gator isn't a threat to you?"
"No! I've laid in the front yard with her an arm's length away. Like I said she knows who family is. Jackie called me about her getting into the house. She went in and took a nap. If Yuka had watched where she was going, and didn't sit right on her, Allie wouldn't have snapped at her. Wouldn't you react if you're taking a nap and someone sat on you?"
"Put like that, yes, I would be upset."
"Then you agree that wasn't Allie's fault."
"But to let an alligator into the house wasn't very smart either," the reporter said.
"I agree. Someone, we haven't figure out who, didn't shut a door all the way, and Allie got in," Joan explained.
"In that incident with Willy, you were going to the lake?"
"Yes, I was going swimming."
"With alligators in the water," the reporter said.
Joan nodded, then asked, "Isn't there anything you want to ask about the game?"
"First, have you ever gotten bit by an alligator?"
"Once, but that was my fault for not paying attention when I was swimming."
The reporter shook her head. "Is there anything that scares you?"
"No, unless I get Mom angry at me."
Several people listening chuckled at that.
Another article came out about the 'fearless' Joan Connor.
The game was hardly over when another reporter asked for an 'in depth' interview. Joan declined.
.
The elections were happening like John wanted. Unfortunately, there were also protests about the 'archaic and expensive' way John was insisting they were to be done. He got a call from New York that they would not comply. He replied, "Fine, then votes from New York won't be counted."
That raised another big flap in the news. Emily from Kansas also went on a news show to explain why there was a need to return to paper ballots, and praised John for not giving in to pressure, and ensure the election was fair and verifiable.
John didn't care about the election, only that someone would be coming to fill in Congress and take the presidency. He didn't listen to the political ads, or the TV specials, or any news items about the election. That was why when he finally went into their bedroom at night, he was surprised when Delilah said, "You're popular, John. You've risen to 54 percent in the polls."
John sat on the bed and eyed her. "What polls?"
"The Presidential polls. You're beating out both the other candidates."
"What! No, I'm not even running!"
"People are running you," Cameron told him.
The next morning he got a request to join in the Presidential debates next week. He was surrounded by people telling him he needed to go, over half the people in the country were counting on him to run. Transportation and lodging was already set up for him.
God Damnit!
There was only one good thing about this debate. He could tell everyone he wasn't running, and be rough enough about it that he'd quickly drop to nothing in the polls. People liked politically correct candidates that acted proper and 'presidential'. He would be anything but. If he couldn't convince people with rudeness, he'd just walk off the stage. He was going to make damn sure nobody wanted him to be president.
Satisfied he had a strategy to lose hands down, he agreed to join the debate.
.
The news that John Connor was going to be at the presidential debates spread quickly. Everyone in Driftwood was tuned in, as was the entire country. People wanted to see and hear what John Connor had to say.
The stage for the debate was a nicely done half circle area with three podiums and microphone set up. An audience was present and three moderators had seats just off stage. John waited to go take the center podium, Cameron and Delilah got front row seats directly in front of John place on the stage. John himself was ready, wearing a white shirt, jeans and a black leather vest, no tie. His look appalled the secret service nearby. Good.
After reading the introductions and the rules for the debate, the candidates were called out. The one on John's left was the woman who'd been vice President. The one on his right was a new man running for office, who used to be a senator. They were both in 'presidential' uniforms, blue jackets, white shirts and red ties.
"First each candidate will state their opening remarks, starting on my right."
She began, "First off I mean to correct the travesty that has happened to our country! Our properly elected officials were booted out of office by THAT MAN!" she said flinging an arm at John. "He has disregarded women's rights and on top of that is is ADMITTED polygamist! He cancelled executive orders to help immigrants and is booting them out of the country. He is known to be a racist of the WORSE order All the orders to hep our country get away from the carbon inducing petroleum that choke our air, he got rid of! He took it upon himself to set term limits and limits to the Supreme Court. He is a wanna-be dictator As for the other man, he's gust as bad, that's why HE was removed from the Senate! Neither of them are in any way fit to hold the office of President."
The moderator in the middle nodded to John. Leaning on the podium John looked at the woman and asked, "Wow, how can you stand the smell of yourself with all that shit pouring out of your mouth? I mean really, how can you lie so badly? It wasn't me who decided to do any of that. It was the 42 states that disbanded the Federal government because you people were doing such a lousy job. I will be the first to say I'm not presidential material, but if there is anyone less fit, it has to be you. I have done nothing but what the Governors of the states that asked me to do being Administrator. The term limits, the abortion limits, booting people out of Washington, it's all in the Constitution I swore to uphold. I couldn't even find you or the President to explain, you both ran away like bad children. As far as the honorable man to my right, he was past his term limits. He did nothing wrong, in fact I think if anyone up here is presidential material, it's him. The fact 42 states got together to boot you out of office is a prime reason you shouldn't ever hold the president's seat. You suck at decisions, lady. As for my wives, yes, I have two they are right there, Cameron and Delilah, as for what we do privately, that's none of your damn business."
"It's illegal!" she snapped.
John smile at her. "Nope, sorry. We're cyborgs, we're allowed."
"You're not even human!" she screeched.
John raised a finger. "I am part human, just not completely." John then jerked his thumb at the man in the right. "I want to hear what he has to say."
The dark haired man with gray running through his hair and beard chuckled. "John Connor, you are uncouth and one hundred percent correct in your evaluation of our opponent. I also thank you for your vote of confidence. The previous Administration was strangling our country with executive orders. I agree that term limits need to be set for Congress. Also, Congress has long avoided the question of abortion. This addition forces them to deal with it, and make one standard law for the entire country ..."
John leaned on his podium and listened to how this man would protect jobs, not wipe them out. He was all for alternative energy, but not at the expense of making the whole country suffer until it a viable source was found. He went on, telling about hat he wanted to do to enrich the country. John thought he had good ideas.
Then came the questions. One would get asked, the other two had time to respond.
The woman was asked about health care. she insisted everyone should be under a national health system run by the Government to ensure everyone in the country was covered.
John chucked. "Lady you really are out of touch. Anything the Government does costs much more that what private industry can do. Trust me, I've seen it. A government only plan will skyrocket costs and make any care unaffordable for many people, whether it be though payments or taxes. Free health care is a myth, someone has to pay for it. Yes,things like medicare and SSI need to be there for those who need it. To give the government sole responsibility for health care will be four times a expensive and much less efficient. It's a bad idea."
The man on his right said, "Again, John is correct. Private insurance and being ale to select your own doctor let's eac person determine what they need for heath care. Any plan the government has will fall shot on supplying individual needs. I will also push for Congress to be under the same plan as every other American. Along those same lines, I will also push for Congress to have raises that only match the cost of living."
As each question came up, John continued to support the man from Texas on his right, and badmouth the woman. He got in another dig when she was asked abut Black Lives Matter. She supported it fully.
"So, you are a racist?" John asked.
"You are the racists if you don't support it!" she snapped.
"Oh? Would you support a group that promoted White lives Matter?" he asked.
"Of course not!"
"Then you are a racist. Not only that, but a racist that supports an organization that is sponsored by the CCP, who is trying hard to split this country up. If you supported something like ALL lives matter, I could get behind that. All lives do matter, no matter what anyone is."
John was sure that would make his polls plummet to zero. He was like watching her fume in place also.
A moderator asked, "Mr. Connor, you have evidence that the BLM group is supported by the Communist Chinese Party?"
"I do. It's not unknown either, only suppressed by her people," he said, pointing to the woman candidate. "They don't want you to know the leader is a Marxist or that their goal is to promote racial discord, and not harmony. Frankly, if I were President, I'd have the FBI and CIA look into the facts and have the people in charge jailed for treason, and do my best to track down those responsible."
That should put the final nail into his Candidacy coffin.
At the end of the debate, all three were thanked for participating. John turned to the man on his right and shook his hand. "Best of luck to you, Senator."
"You also," he aid with a wide grin. "Can't say I agree with your style, but I do like it."
"I think you will be a fine President," John replied. He then met with Cameron and Delilah who came up on stage with him. They formed a three way hug. He ignored the woman, she stomped on past.
"Think I destroyed my chances at being President enough?" he asked Cameron.
"You terminated it," she replied with a grin.
.
Leaving, they didn't bother to look at the polls that now showed the ex-vice president was down to 14%, the ex senator was up to 42% and John had dropped to 44%.
