Chapter 2:  Andy's Gift Suckks

Kanbei carefully removes the cut pieces of wrap from a large, odd-shaped metal object.

"What could this strange contraption be?" Kanbei wonders aloud.

The gift is approximately three feet tall and one foot wide and appears to be a large, silver cylinder with a flexible, yellow hose attached.  It seems there are backpack straps made of heavy-duty yellow canvas attached to the back of the cylinder.

"Andy, I told you not to give Kanbei fancy scrap metal as a present!" Max bellows.

"But, but-"

"It must be some sort of explosive," Sami comments, cutting Andy off.  "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Mister Kanbei," Andy hurriedly began, "your present is a special type of vacuum I maded just for you."

"That's… a vacuum?" Max asks skeptically.

"You're awfully creative, Andy…" Nell mumbles with a hint of sarcasm.

"That is ingenious, young Andy!" Kanbei gushes.  How do I operate this elusive device?

"There are special buttons on the side of the vacuum that you can reach when you put it on your back," Andy explains.  Sami and Max laugh.

"You put that on your back?!" they exclaim.

"Yeah!" Andy grins as Kanbei stands up, holding the straps of the vacuum.

"I will wear this vacuum instantly!  I've been needing to clean some dust out of my sock drawer for a long time."  He fits the straps onto his shoulders and turns around.  "How does it look, my friends?"

"Downright silly," Nell answers with a giggle.

"You could be a high-tech maid!" Sami offers.

"Wait a minute," Max says.  Something on the vacuum has caught his eye.  "Why does that thing say 'Suckk' on it?  Are you trying to say Kanbei Suckks?!?"  Max glares at Andy, and somehow Max's muscles look even larger.

"No, no!" Andy whines defensively.  "The vacuum's name is Suckk."  Nell, Max, and Sami chuckle.

"How appropriate!" giggles Nell.

"Let's see if it earns the name," suggests Max.

"Yeah!  Vacuum something, Emperor!" Sami says.

"It would be of utmost honor!" exclaims Kanbei, reaching for the hose, which he holds in one hand while pushing buttons in the other, looking down under his armpit to read them.  "Ah, let's try 'Super Pinpoint Suckk'!"

Kanbei pushes the button and Nell's small purple cap immediately flies off and sticks to the hose.

"Give that back, please," Nell laughs nervously.  Everyone turns towards her.

"Um, Nell…"

"I know, Sami, I know…"

"You missed a spot when you were bleaching your hair," Max said, observing a spot of brown roots in the center of the top of Nell's head.

"Well, that's why I was covering it up with that hat."

"You are truly a brunette?" Kanbei asks.

"Well, yes… how else would I be smart enough to do field training?"

"Ah, I see…"  Kanbei returns the hat to Nell and she carefully places it onto her head.

"Uh, Nell…" Sami murmurs, motioning her hands above her head.  Nell adjusts her hat, smiles quickly at Sami, and then appears to be very annoyed.

"We really need to be getting back to HQ," Nell announces.  "There is still more work to be finished before the end of the day."

"I hope to see all of you again in the future.  You have my sincerest gratitude for attending my party and bringing such thoughtful gifts."

Max and Sami chuckle at the words, "thoughtful gifts," while Nell practically drags them out the door.

"Mister Kanbei," Andy says before leaving, "let me fix Suckk so that he won't fall off of your shoulders."

"Why, thank you very much!  That will be very- OWW of you, I appreci-OWW! it!  Hmmm…. both of my shoulders are throbbing with intense pain…"

"Oh, that could be because I fastened the straps to your shoulders permanently using my electric screwdriver!"

"I dislike the pain that resulted from your antics, but my mobility while I'm wearing this machine will be increased!"

"Glad you like it, Mister Kanbei!  Bye bye!"  Andy sprints to the door that Nell and the others are exiting through.

"Ah, Sonja, I must utilize my new machine and show everyone its great power!" Kanbei says, turning to his daughter.

"That's nice, father…" Sonja yawns sleepily.