One Hundred and One - BF
Virgil spent the day exploring the island, discovering what he could and couldn't hear. Occasionally he would return to the piano and test the treble notes again, trying to see if his hearing range had increased. It was mid-afternoon before he let out a cheer. "I can hear that one!" He played the note below the earlier one. He made up a little tune in the upper register of the piano.
"This is great!" he stated for the hundred and first time that day.
***
"Jeff Tracy!" His mother was standing in front of his desk, her hands on her hips in a pose that told him that she meant business. "Just what is Brains doing in the dining room? Apart from getting in everyone's way that is."
"Just a little project I've got him working on, Mother. I think you'll like it."
"But there's wires and electronics all over the place. Not to mention the dust! Do you know he's drilled a hole in the wall?"
"I thought he might have to do that. Don't worry about it."
"Don't worry about it! Well if you don't mind sawdust in your chicken, then fine! I think the rest of us would prefer it to be ungarnished!"
"I'm sure he'll be finished by the time dinner's ready."
"He'd better be, Jeff. Or this won't be much of a celebration!"
Virgil wandered in. Reluctantly he was still wearing the Comm-specs so that he could communicate with the male members of the household. "Grandma. Even furious you sound great!"
She gave him a peck on the cheek. "Well I'm glad someone seems to be listening to me. Are you sure your deafness isn't catching. Your father prefers to ignore me."
"Mother! I've listened to every word! And I've told you not to worry. Brains will have the room cleaned up ready for the table to be set. Trust me!"
Muttering to herself she stormed out of the room.
Jeff smiled at Virgil. "How's it going?"
"Do you know how wonderful bird song is?" Virgil was still smiling himself.
"I can't say I've ever taken much notice."
"You want to. It's only when you lose these things that you really wish you had taken notice when you could enjoy them."
"There's some sense in that." Jeff said thoughtfully.
"Are Scott and I still on to see about recruiting that new agent?" Virgil asked.
Jeff appeared to hesitate. "We'll leave it a couple of days. See how your recovery progresses."
Virgil didn't hear the negative tone in his voice.
***
It was after dark by the time the evening meal was ready.
"There you are Mother." Jeff said triumphantly. "I told you Brains would have everything cleared away in time."
The dining room was spotless. The only sign that Brains had been working in there was a large, framed white square hanging on the wall, just by the head of the table.
"Just what is that in aid of?" She snapped peevishly.
"You'll see." He promised. "It won't be long now."
The rest of the family came filing in.
Alan caught Scott and held him back. "Can't you do something about Virgil?" he whispered. "He's been following Tin-Tin around most of the afternoon!"
"Why? Are you worried he's serious about that marriage proposal?" Scott asked laughing. "Don't worry about it. He'll probably hear your voice next and then he'll be following you instead."
"Thanks for the warning." Alan said grumpily.
"So, what have you been up to Brains?" Gordon asked.
"You'll see soon. Th-That's if it works." Brains was sounding a little grumpy himself.
"Why wouldn't it? I've never known anything of yours to fail." Gordon sounded surprised.
"I-I haven't had a chance to t-test it properly."
"Well just as long as it doesn't blow up in the middle of dinner." Gordon stated. "I'm hungry and dinner tonight should be something special!"
"Are we all here?" Jeff asked as he stood at the head of the table. There were murmurings of agreement. "Right. Well as this is a meal to celebrate Virgil regaining..., starting to regain his hearing..."
Virgil grinned as Gordon clapped him on the back.
"... I thought it would be nice if the entire family could be present. Especially in light of our conversation yesterday, so I asked Brains to work on something today..."
"I h-hope it works." Brains muttered to himself.
Everyone else tried to work out which conversation in particular Jeff was talking about.
"... And so..." Jeff turned to the framed square. "Base to Thunderbird Five. Come in John."
The white square faded out to be replaced by John, seated in the galley in the space station. "About time!" he complained. "My dinner's nearly cold."
"We've decided that there's no reason why the whole family couldn't eat at the same time, spend quality time together."
The meal started being dished out.
"Hey! That's brilliant." Alan enthused. "I always thought mealtimes were the worst up there."
John was already well into his dinner. "Doesn't improve the flavour of what you're eating though."
Brains was indignant. "That is the best, m-most n-nutritious foods I could c-come up with."
"And it's not bad, Brains. But nothing beats home cooking." John informed him. "How's the hearing, Virgil? Any improvement?"
"A little. But I've still got to wear these things." Virgil indicated the Comm-specs. "I'll be glad when I don't need them anymore."
"And what's wrong with th-them." Brains was getting more uptight by the minute.
"Nothing, Brains, nothing." Virgil said hastily. "They're brilliant! Just not as good as hearing you guys talk with my own ears."
"Hmph." Brains wasn't greatly mollified.
"Mister Brains?" Kyrano asked gently. "What is wrong?"
"Nothing." Brains snapped.
"He was talking to Professor Bunsen earlier." Tin-Tin explained. "Now that Virgil's getting his hearing back the Professor has started calling Brains..." she received a glare from the scientist, "... that name again."
"Tell him you don't like it." Jeff suggested. "He should understand."
"Do you want me to tell him?" Virgil offered.
"How come he's got such a soft spot for you?" Scott asked.
Virgil shrugged "Beats me!"
"That man is the most irritating, irrational, egotistical, embarrassing person that I've ever had the misfortune to know." Brains snapped. "And if he tells me one more time to let him fix my stutter I'll take that rabbit suit of his and insert it, ears and all, right up his test tube and pour hydrochloric acid on it..." he tailed off when he saw the surprised looks on everyone's faces.
"I don't think you'll need to worry, Brains." John told him. "He's already fixed it. You didn't stutter once then."
Gordon decided the atmosphere needed lightening up a bit. "Hey, this is a celebration isn't it? So lets have some festive lights. I'll go get them!" He was out of the room before anyone was able to protest.
He was back a moment later with a gaudy lamp. The lampshade was designed to rotate giving the impression that fish were swimming on the walls.
His brothers all groaned.
"This'll be great!" he protested. "Just wait." He plugged it in...
The room was plunged into darkness.
A chorus went up. "Gordon!"
"It wasn't me!" he protested. "The fuse must have blown."
"I kn-new I hadn't run enough tests." Brains muttered. "The power usage is still too great."
"Fix the fuse Gordon!" his father ordered.
"Okay." he sighed. "Where's the torch?"
"You know where it's kept." His grandmother told him sternly.
He was feeling about in a lower cupboard. "I can't find it."
"What do you mean you can't find it?" Alan asked as he stood to help. He bumped into someone. "Sorry Kyrano. I can't see a thing. Where are you, Gordon?"
"I'm... Get off my foot!!!"
"Are you looking in the right cupboard?"
"Of course I am...! I think."
"Well have you looked in this cupboard?" Alan swung open the door.
There was a sharp intake of breath.
"Sorry Gordon." Alan said apologetically. "I didn't realise you were standing so close. On the positive side Virgil should be able to hear you now."
"Alan!" Gordon ground out. "Go sit down!"
"Come on guys!" Virgil complained. "My dinner's getting cold."
"Well don't stop eating it." Scott suggested.
"I can't see it to eat it." Virgil informed him. "Thank heavens the Comm-specs don't rely on electricity."
"I'm not having any problems. This is just like old times! Will someone pass me the carrots?"
"Scott!" His Grandmother scolded. "How many times do you have to be told not to talk with food in your mouth?"
He swallowed hurriedly. "How'd you know?"
"I could hear you, Scott Tracy! I'm not deaf."
"And I still am, and I knew too." Virgil was starting to sound a little testy himself. "You're spraying food all over me!"
"Sorry, Virg."
"If you're finding this so easy, why don't you go fix the fuse?" Gordon said.
"I don't know." Scott griped good-naturedly. "A little bit of darkness and you all go to pieces. Leave it to me, I'll go mend it." He took a sip of his drink. "And don't anyone touch my plate. I know exactly where everything is."
A short time later the power was reinstated.
Scott returned to the table. "Who took my plate?"
"We wanted a chance to catch up with you." Alan informed him. "You were already onto seconds."
Gordon continued to look for the torch. "It's not in here! Who shifted it?"
"Now that's irresponsible." Jeff thundered. "The torches should always be kept in their proper places in case of emergencies. Someone could get hurt!"
"Someone was!" Gordon was moving very slowly and gingerly.
"So where is it?" Jeff demanded.
"Don't look at me." Scott stated. "I haven't used one in over a year."
"Skite." Virgil told him.
"Do you know anything, Virgil?" his father asked.
"Me? No. If I need a torch I grab my one. It's got a better beam."
"Last time I saw it, I used it to try to find a spoon that had fallen behind the stove." Grandma Tracy stated.
"And did you put it back?"
"Don't you take that tone with me, Jefferson Tracy! Of course I put it back!"
Her grandson's grinned at their father's discomfort.
"Alan!" He said, trying to regain some composure.
"I haven't touched it... No wait a minute. I borrowed it when Tin-Tin lost her ring in the pool..."
"And why did you need the torch for that?" Gordon asked.
"It was night-time."
Tin-Tin blushed.
"And why," Gordon grinned, "were you two swimming in the dark?"
"We weren't swimming!" Alan protested. "She'd lost it earlier and had only just realised!"
"Yeah, sure..."
"I remember..." Tin-Tin said quickly, "...I gave the torch to Father to return. He needed it for something."
"That is correct." Kyrano nodded his head in acknowledgement. "I wished to ensure that something was returned to its rightful place." He eyed Alan meaningfully. Alan reddened slightly. "I was going to return it myself, but, if you remember Mister Tracy, you and I had a little talk in your room."
"I remember," Jeff growled.
"I believe," Kyrano continued, "that you offered to return it. You were planning on getting yourself a drink from the kitchen."
"Did I?" Jeff frowned in thought. "I don't remember..."
"Jeff! Was it you who ate my chocolate cake?"
"Mother. I can honestly say that I didn't even get to see your chocolate cake!"
"So the torch might be in your room?" Gordon said perkily, his 'injury' forgotten. "I'll go and look!"
"Not while we're all having a meal!" his father tried to tell him, but he'd gone. "I can see how that boy managed to win his gold medal."
"Talking of us all 'having a meal'." Virgil noted. "Why don't we try to get John back?"
Jeff called him up again.
"About time." He said huffily. "I was beginning to think you were tired of me already. What happened?"
"Gordon blew a fuse and Dad had hidden the torch." Alan piped up.
"Oh, yes." John said wryly.
Gordon came back. "Found it! Beside your bed, Dad." He grinned happily.
Jeff cleared his throat. "Let that be a lesson to you, Alan. If you take something, make sure you're the one to put it back. Don't trust it to someone else."
"Yes sir." Alan said, but it was with the air of someone who'd scored a point over his parent.
Virgil spent the day exploring the island, discovering what he could and couldn't hear. Occasionally he would return to the piano and test the treble notes again, trying to see if his hearing range had increased. It was mid-afternoon before he let out a cheer. "I can hear that one!" He played the note below the earlier one. He made up a little tune in the upper register of the piano.
"This is great!" he stated for the hundred and first time that day.
***
"Jeff Tracy!" His mother was standing in front of his desk, her hands on her hips in a pose that told him that she meant business. "Just what is Brains doing in the dining room? Apart from getting in everyone's way that is."
"Just a little project I've got him working on, Mother. I think you'll like it."
"But there's wires and electronics all over the place. Not to mention the dust! Do you know he's drilled a hole in the wall?"
"I thought he might have to do that. Don't worry about it."
"Don't worry about it! Well if you don't mind sawdust in your chicken, then fine! I think the rest of us would prefer it to be ungarnished!"
"I'm sure he'll be finished by the time dinner's ready."
"He'd better be, Jeff. Or this won't be much of a celebration!"
Virgil wandered in. Reluctantly he was still wearing the Comm-specs so that he could communicate with the male members of the household. "Grandma. Even furious you sound great!"
She gave him a peck on the cheek. "Well I'm glad someone seems to be listening to me. Are you sure your deafness isn't catching. Your father prefers to ignore me."
"Mother! I've listened to every word! And I've told you not to worry. Brains will have the room cleaned up ready for the table to be set. Trust me!"
Muttering to herself she stormed out of the room.
Jeff smiled at Virgil. "How's it going?"
"Do you know how wonderful bird song is?" Virgil was still smiling himself.
"I can't say I've ever taken much notice."
"You want to. It's only when you lose these things that you really wish you had taken notice when you could enjoy them."
"There's some sense in that." Jeff said thoughtfully.
"Are Scott and I still on to see about recruiting that new agent?" Virgil asked.
Jeff appeared to hesitate. "We'll leave it a couple of days. See how your recovery progresses."
Virgil didn't hear the negative tone in his voice.
***
It was after dark by the time the evening meal was ready.
"There you are Mother." Jeff said triumphantly. "I told you Brains would have everything cleared away in time."
The dining room was spotless. The only sign that Brains had been working in there was a large, framed white square hanging on the wall, just by the head of the table.
"Just what is that in aid of?" She snapped peevishly.
"You'll see." He promised. "It won't be long now."
The rest of the family came filing in.
Alan caught Scott and held him back. "Can't you do something about Virgil?" he whispered. "He's been following Tin-Tin around most of the afternoon!"
"Why? Are you worried he's serious about that marriage proposal?" Scott asked laughing. "Don't worry about it. He'll probably hear your voice next and then he'll be following you instead."
"Thanks for the warning." Alan said grumpily.
"So, what have you been up to Brains?" Gordon asked.
"You'll see soon. Th-That's if it works." Brains was sounding a little grumpy himself.
"Why wouldn't it? I've never known anything of yours to fail." Gordon sounded surprised.
"I-I haven't had a chance to t-test it properly."
"Well just as long as it doesn't blow up in the middle of dinner." Gordon stated. "I'm hungry and dinner tonight should be something special!"
"Are we all here?" Jeff asked as he stood at the head of the table. There were murmurings of agreement. "Right. Well as this is a meal to celebrate Virgil regaining..., starting to regain his hearing..."
Virgil grinned as Gordon clapped him on the back.
"... I thought it would be nice if the entire family could be present. Especially in light of our conversation yesterday, so I asked Brains to work on something today..."
"I h-hope it works." Brains muttered to himself.
Everyone else tried to work out which conversation in particular Jeff was talking about.
"... And so..." Jeff turned to the framed square. "Base to Thunderbird Five. Come in John."
The white square faded out to be replaced by John, seated in the galley in the space station. "About time!" he complained. "My dinner's nearly cold."
"We've decided that there's no reason why the whole family couldn't eat at the same time, spend quality time together."
The meal started being dished out.
"Hey! That's brilliant." Alan enthused. "I always thought mealtimes were the worst up there."
John was already well into his dinner. "Doesn't improve the flavour of what you're eating though."
Brains was indignant. "That is the best, m-most n-nutritious foods I could c-come up with."
"And it's not bad, Brains. But nothing beats home cooking." John informed him. "How's the hearing, Virgil? Any improvement?"
"A little. But I've still got to wear these things." Virgil indicated the Comm-specs. "I'll be glad when I don't need them anymore."
"And what's wrong with th-them." Brains was getting more uptight by the minute.
"Nothing, Brains, nothing." Virgil said hastily. "They're brilliant! Just not as good as hearing you guys talk with my own ears."
"Hmph." Brains wasn't greatly mollified.
"Mister Brains?" Kyrano asked gently. "What is wrong?"
"Nothing." Brains snapped.
"He was talking to Professor Bunsen earlier." Tin-Tin explained. "Now that Virgil's getting his hearing back the Professor has started calling Brains..." she received a glare from the scientist, "... that name again."
"Tell him you don't like it." Jeff suggested. "He should understand."
"Do you want me to tell him?" Virgil offered.
"How come he's got such a soft spot for you?" Scott asked.
Virgil shrugged "Beats me!"
"That man is the most irritating, irrational, egotistical, embarrassing person that I've ever had the misfortune to know." Brains snapped. "And if he tells me one more time to let him fix my stutter I'll take that rabbit suit of his and insert it, ears and all, right up his test tube and pour hydrochloric acid on it..." he tailed off when he saw the surprised looks on everyone's faces.
"I don't think you'll need to worry, Brains." John told him. "He's already fixed it. You didn't stutter once then."
Gordon decided the atmosphere needed lightening up a bit. "Hey, this is a celebration isn't it? So lets have some festive lights. I'll go get them!" He was out of the room before anyone was able to protest.
He was back a moment later with a gaudy lamp. The lampshade was designed to rotate giving the impression that fish were swimming on the walls.
His brothers all groaned.
"This'll be great!" he protested. "Just wait." He plugged it in...
The room was plunged into darkness.
A chorus went up. "Gordon!"
"It wasn't me!" he protested. "The fuse must have blown."
"I kn-new I hadn't run enough tests." Brains muttered. "The power usage is still too great."
"Fix the fuse Gordon!" his father ordered.
"Okay." he sighed. "Where's the torch?"
"You know where it's kept." His grandmother told him sternly.
He was feeling about in a lower cupboard. "I can't find it."
"What do you mean you can't find it?" Alan asked as he stood to help. He bumped into someone. "Sorry Kyrano. I can't see a thing. Where are you, Gordon?"
"I'm... Get off my foot!!!"
"Are you looking in the right cupboard?"
"Of course I am...! I think."
"Well have you looked in this cupboard?" Alan swung open the door.
There was a sharp intake of breath.
"Sorry Gordon." Alan said apologetically. "I didn't realise you were standing so close. On the positive side Virgil should be able to hear you now."
"Alan!" Gordon ground out. "Go sit down!"
"Come on guys!" Virgil complained. "My dinner's getting cold."
"Well don't stop eating it." Scott suggested.
"I can't see it to eat it." Virgil informed him. "Thank heavens the Comm-specs don't rely on electricity."
"I'm not having any problems. This is just like old times! Will someone pass me the carrots?"
"Scott!" His Grandmother scolded. "How many times do you have to be told not to talk with food in your mouth?"
He swallowed hurriedly. "How'd you know?"
"I could hear you, Scott Tracy! I'm not deaf."
"And I still am, and I knew too." Virgil was starting to sound a little testy himself. "You're spraying food all over me!"
"Sorry, Virg."
"If you're finding this so easy, why don't you go fix the fuse?" Gordon said.
"I don't know." Scott griped good-naturedly. "A little bit of darkness and you all go to pieces. Leave it to me, I'll go mend it." He took a sip of his drink. "And don't anyone touch my plate. I know exactly where everything is."
A short time later the power was reinstated.
Scott returned to the table. "Who took my plate?"
"We wanted a chance to catch up with you." Alan informed him. "You were already onto seconds."
Gordon continued to look for the torch. "It's not in here! Who shifted it?"
"Now that's irresponsible." Jeff thundered. "The torches should always be kept in their proper places in case of emergencies. Someone could get hurt!"
"Someone was!" Gordon was moving very slowly and gingerly.
"So where is it?" Jeff demanded.
"Don't look at me." Scott stated. "I haven't used one in over a year."
"Skite." Virgil told him.
"Do you know anything, Virgil?" his father asked.
"Me? No. If I need a torch I grab my one. It's got a better beam."
"Last time I saw it, I used it to try to find a spoon that had fallen behind the stove." Grandma Tracy stated.
"And did you put it back?"
"Don't you take that tone with me, Jefferson Tracy! Of course I put it back!"
Her grandson's grinned at their father's discomfort.
"Alan!" He said, trying to regain some composure.
"I haven't touched it... No wait a minute. I borrowed it when Tin-Tin lost her ring in the pool..."
"And why did you need the torch for that?" Gordon asked.
"It was night-time."
Tin-Tin blushed.
"And why," Gordon grinned, "were you two swimming in the dark?"
"We weren't swimming!" Alan protested. "She'd lost it earlier and had only just realised!"
"Yeah, sure..."
"I remember..." Tin-Tin said quickly, "...I gave the torch to Father to return. He needed it for something."
"That is correct." Kyrano nodded his head in acknowledgement. "I wished to ensure that something was returned to its rightful place." He eyed Alan meaningfully. Alan reddened slightly. "I was going to return it myself, but, if you remember Mister Tracy, you and I had a little talk in your room."
"I remember," Jeff growled.
"I believe," Kyrano continued, "that you offered to return it. You were planning on getting yourself a drink from the kitchen."
"Did I?" Jeff frowned in thought. "I don't remember..."
"Jeff! Was it you who ate my chocolate cake?"
"Mother. I can honestly say that I didn't even get to see your chocolate cake!"
"So the torch might be in your room?" Gordon said perkily, his 'injury' forgotten. "I'll go and look!"
"Not while we're all having a meal!" his father tried to tell him, but he'd gone. "I can see how that boy managed to win his gold medal."
"Talking of us all 'having a meal'." Virgil noted. "Why don't we try to get John back?"
Jeff called him up again.
"About time." He said huffily. "I was beginning to think you were tired of me already. What happened?"
"Gordon blew a fuse and Dad had hidden the torch." Alan piped up.
"Oh, yes." John said wryly.
Gordon came back. "Found it! Beside your bed, Dad." He grinned happily.
Jeff cleared his throat. "Let that be a lesson to you, Alan. If you take something, make sure you're the one to put it back. Don't trust it to someone else."
"Yes sir." Alan said, but it was with the air of someone who'd scored a point over his parent.