11
"George! Oh, thank God! I've been going crazy here waiting to hear from you. You have no idea what all has been going on here." Phyllis let out a breath that felt like she'd been holding since last night.
George, similarly relieved, offered, "I have some idea, Hon. We heard about the earthquakes en route. I tried to call from the shuttle, but there was too much interference...probably from this spaceport. Are you and the kids okay? Anybody we know in any of the cities?"
"So far as I know, only Chester Carr. He was in Metropolis when it hit there, but Candice has heard from him and he's all right. In fact, he's something of a hero. He even made the news. We're fine, too... but... there's more than just the quakes. We've had something happen here that is a little hard to explain... You remember the roll top desk Bruce told us to save for Jimmy?"
"Yes, but that's just a family heirloom, isn't it? Look, if it's been damaged, we can always get it fixed or refinished. I mean, it's not like we have it prominently displayed or anything up there in the attic..."
"No, darling, nothing like that. I think it was something... Kryptonian that happened! I don't know any other way to put it!"
Sensing George's confusion, Phyllis related the strange story of the green aura and the discovery of the three items Jimmy found inside the desk. When she told her husband about the green crystal, he at once began to sound almost agitated with concern.
"Great Scott! If that's what I think it is, then it's definitely something that should be handled with great care! Are you sure Jimmy is okay?"
"Yes, he's fine. In fact, he seems better than usual. Ever since this thing happened, he's been reading that old journal and showing absolutely no ill effects whatsoever. Why are you so worried? Do you think you know what it is?"
"I... I'm not sure, hon. There was a story handed down in the family about something that sounded a lot like what you described. I always thought it was just a story, but now... Listen, darling, if I'm right, it is definitely not something to be trifled with! I'm sure Jim will be all right, but tell him to handle that thing with the utmost respect! What's he doing right now, anyway?"
"He's still reading that journal. It really surprises me, too! For the last ten years he didn't even want to hear the name Superman, and suddenly he can't seem to get enough of him! Noel is back in her room. I think she got tired of the news coverage and put in a video... cartoons or something. We all just ate a little while ago and we should all be ready for bed soon. Now at least I'll be able to sleep a little more peacefully since you've called. When will you be home?"
George winced at the question. This was the main reason he made the call home and now the words were choking him as he forced them out. "I... won't be home right away, darling. Something's come up out here that I have to take care of and I'm not sure how long it will take."
It seemed like all the strength in Phyllis' body was suddenly sucked right out of her at the revelation. She had been reassured by her husband's phone call, but now she was more concerned than ever. "No, no, no. You can't mean that! You can't! We... I need you now. Please come home, George, please!"
"Phyll, you know that's just what I want to do, but believe me when I say that if I don't handle this situation, it will not only affect our family, but trillions of people. Look, just know that I love you and the kids and I will be coming back as soon as I can, okay?"
George's tone was one that Phyllis had heard only at rare times before. A tone that indicated that the decision was made and all efforts to reverse or even to discuss it would be futile. If George says this is that important, it was! She backed off, hesitantly, adding only, "Come home safe when it's over, George Kent. I love you!"
"I love you, too, darling." George slumped a bit as he hung up the phone. "I love you, too."
Doris was in the next phone booth but she was not speaking at all. Rather, she was just staring off into the distance and holding the phone oddly as if she had no idea what she should do with it. Her face was devoid of any emotion - no elation, no sorrow, nothing. Whatever her conversation revealed, it had stunned her so completely that she was practically catatonic. She remained frozen as one of the demonstrators walked over to her and spoke.
"Hey, lady, my name's Chuck. Can I give you a pamphlet about our cause? We think the colonies here on Mars - in particular Collyer Colony - should be recognized as an independent entity and allowed to... uh... Hey! Lady! You all right? Hey! You listening to me?"
By this time George had finished his palaver with Phyllis and began to notice what was going on with his shipmate. He didn't know what had transpired, but he could see it was not good. And the protester guy wasn't exactly helping the situation, either. George stepped over to Doris and intervened. He politely suggested to Chuck that looking up the name of a good dentist would be a good idea as he would surely need one if he didn't leave the lady alone immediately! This proved to be very persuasive as George was a good three quarters of a foot taller than the protester, and appeared to be about twice as powerful. Chuck mumbled something unintelligible and backed slowly away and rejoined his comrades, possibly to discuss the merits of good dental hygiene.
George took Doris by her shoulders and attempted to bring her out of her frozen state. "Doris, what's wrong? Look at me! Tell me what's happened!" he said firmly but gently. Slowly, she looked up at him and began to realize where she was and whispered two words.
"Duke's dead."
Ellsworth and Larson had just cleared customs and noticed their young protege was in distress. As they approached, Doris began to explain in a quiet controlled voice what she had learned in her phone conversation. "Duke and his secretary, Mavis were in Rome to meet a client of his. He works...worked as a talent agent, you know. And he had heard of an act he was going to sign and represent, but the quake hit Rome while they were negotiating. She's a singer - only about nineteen or so - and evidently packed with talent. One thing about Duke, he really knew how to spot them. The building started to come down around them and they tried to get down the stairs to get out. They almost made it...almost..."
"Take it easy, Doris, you don't have to tell us a thing. Just relax. You'll be okay..."
"No, I want to tell you - I need to tell you - just what Mavis told me. As they neared the door, an aftershock hit and it all caved in. They all would have been killed, but Duke shoved Mavis and the girl out the door ahead of him. The building collapsed on top of him. Mavis said he was a... hero... He was a hero!"
Doris forced a weak but proud smile as she repeated, "Duke died a hero!...a hero...Damn it, Duke! Why'd you have to be a damned hero?" and then she crumpled to the floor and sobbed uncontrollably. Her colleagues surrounded her, helped their comrade to her feet, led her to a nearby chair, and gave her the comfort that she so desperately needed.
Jimmy rubbed his eyelids lightly as he settled in for bed. He had tried to call Linda Kaye earlier, but the line had been busy every time. He could only guess the reason. No doubt it had something to do with the earthquakes. It could be they had loved ones or friends in one of the cities. Maybe they had business dealings affected. Linda's dad was heavily invested in the stock market. Her mom was very involved in church work. She might have been comforting someone else affected by the tragedy. Perhaps making calls to many of her friends this evening. Whatever the reason, it was obvious that he would not be making connections with his favorite teen queen tonight.
Maybe that's all the better, he thought. I'm just glad this day is over and things seem to be normalizing now. My stomach still hurts from Moe's sucker punch, not to mention getting knocked silly by that weird-oh green light thingie. At least Mom heard from Dad and she's feeling better now. Mr. Carr is okay and the earthquakes will probably just be another item for another kid's history class someday. As far as I'm concerned, they're all over now! I just want to read myself to sleep and start over tomorrow.
With that thought, Jimmy picked up the journal to do just that, but as he opened the book, he thought he felt another rumbling in the earth, and his intuition was that this was not the end of the tremors.