Chapter Twenty-six – 'You may remember me'

"Another root beer?" Barry offered Smithers as he stepped off of the Root Beer Float. "We can relax under those trees a few minutes." Barry moored the boat and led the way to a bench under a grove of trees.

"A few minutes or an hour?" Smithers chuckled but did not get the reaction from Barry he was expecting. Smithers joined Barry on the bench and thought how to explain what was bothering him. "You have helped me understand this game, so I feel I need to explain something to you."

Barry looked confused as he filled two mugs with root beer from a spout on a tree. "What do you know about this game that I don't know. I thought they explained everything to me since I am a mayor."

"I'm sure they did explain what you needed to know as a mayor, but there is more to this game than being a mayor." Smithers thought how to explain this to Barry. "Let me start by saying when I finished my turn at the statue, a red hologram appeared..."

"The hologram was green at the statue." Barry interjected.

"This may take more explaining than I thought." Smithers tried a different approach. "Let me try it this way, what do you remember happening?"

Barry looked at him strangely. "Wouldn't my answer be the same as yours? What do you know that I don't."

"I guess I will try to explain." Smithers said as he remembered what happened on the root beer river island. "The statue produced a green hologram and explained the property to us. Three pieces of paper printed out and I read them out loud. When I finished reading the third piece of paper, a red hologram appeared and then Burns started talking over the loudspeaker. He talked for almost an hour, then entered a code, and said the game was unfrozen. After all that happened, I finally got a response from you." Smithers finished his side of the story and asked Barry what he saw. "What events did you see happen?"

"We approached the statue and the green hologram appeared. After you bought the property, the green hologram disappeared, we talked some, and then left the island to come sit here." Barry answered with his story. "There wasn't a red hologram or anyone talking over a loudspeaker."

Smithers looked down at the MyPad as it lit up. "It seems I have run out of time to explain this, which is what I'm trying to explain. Time was frozen for you, but not me, if that makes any sense."

"It doesn't." Barry frowned as he tried to wrap his head around this discovery. "How could...?"

"I'm not sure at all, but I'll try to figure it out and let you know if I see you again. I need to leave and continue this game." Smithers glanced at the MyPad again and pressed the roll button as loud booms were heard and they generated a wave through the root beer river. "Ten." Smithers said as he stood up.

"I watch the wave hit the side of the boat every time and hope it doesn't sink." Barry worried as he also stood up and walked with Smithers to the entrance of the factory. "Take the rest of your root beer with you and enjoy it during your journey. You own this place, so come back any time for a free refill."

"Thanks. I shall drink this along the way. I'm not sure how far of a ride it is to the next space." Smithers raised the mug and jumped on top of the thimble. "I will come back for more root beer, so keep it brewing." He yelled as the thimble slowly glided away.

The thimble left the parking lot and stopped at the security gate. Smithers waited but the security gate didn't lift. "I wonder if..." Smithers took the root beer mug and held it up to the gate. "Cheers!" He took a small drink and the gate raised so the thimble could pass under it. "I can't believe that worked."

After a right turn onto the main road the thimble rode along the chain link fence. At the end of the fence was an intersection, Smithers and the thimble made a left turn onto a smaller street and begin the long ride to the next property.

Several minutes passed watching the factories fade in the distance and the road slowly turn from paved asphalt to gravel to eventually dirt. "This is far off the beaten path if the road is now a dirt trail." Smithers said to himself. "Any less of a road and I may not be able to find my way back."

The dirt road narrowed and became a single path through tall grass. Mountains started to appear in the distance. A set of buildings became visible at the base of the mountain. "I guess that is where I am going. This game seems to be specific on locations." Smithers laughed to himself as the thimble approached the buildings.

"I wonder where I am this time. I hope it's somewhere good." He said as the thimble slowed down in front of an arch that signified the entrance to the series of buildings. "This is it."

"You have arrived at Pennsylvania Avenue." The computerized voice of the MyPad said as it showed him the ten spaces he had just traveled.

Smithers jumped off the thimble and finished his root beer. He set the glass on top of it and turned to walk down the path that started under the archway. He took three steps before a loud crash stopped him. The beer glass had slid off the thimble and shattered when it hit the ground.

"Should I clean that up? I probably should. I'm so used to cleaning up after Burns." Smithers thought. "Let me go find someone with a broom and dustpan."

He continued walking down the central path and looked at the buildings that surrounded him. The pool on his right was filled with a few people swimming and lounging, all of which stared at him as he walked up the path.

"It seems I got everyone's attention here, but that may not be a good thing." Smithers said as he tried to avoid the glances of everyone he passed. "Excuse me." He asked a man who passed him but did not answer. "Excuse me." He repeated to a woman who was sitting in a lounge chair. "Where can I find the mayor of this place? Or at least find someone I can borrow a broom from to clean up the broken glass."

"Mayor? Who is that?" The woman answered. "The spa assistant should have access to the cleaning supply closet. Go find him. The front desk can take care of you."

"I imagine the front desk is the building at the end of the path that says 'Front desk. For Sale, details see the mayor'." Smithers said to the woman as she nodded and placed her hat over her face to end the conversation. "It seems I made a bad first impression here."

He finished walking down the path and stepped under the awning for the Front Desk. No one was behind the counter waiting to assist him. Smithers looked around and did not see any staff waiting. "Hello." He called out in the direction of a room behind the desk, but still no staff appeared. "This may be more difficult than I thought. He even tried ringing the bell on the desk before he stepped back outside.

"Coming!" A voice yelled as he saw someone running down the central path. "I'll be right there. I had to clean up a beer glass someone smashed on the road. We don't want anyone getting hurt and ruining their relaxing stay here at..."

"I could have cleaned that up, in fact I was looking for some cleaning supplies to do just that." Smithers interrupted and defended himself.

"I decided to just go clean it up to make everything easier. I thought I had more time as I was told no one would make it this far around the board by now." The man replied to Smithers. "I am just an assistant to the mayor. You can call me Rodrigo. I saw you ride up on that thing, so I knew I needed to be here, but then that glass broke so I was needed elsewhere. Come inside so I can check you in."

"I really just need to see the mayor and find the stone statue." Smithers mentioned to avoid the checking in process for the spa.

Rodrigo got behind the counter and looked through the notebook on top of the desk. "Nonsense. I can give you the spa treatment that I would give to royalty. Now, just sign at the bottom on the dotted line and here is your keycard to fully access the spa. Exploring is the best part."

"If you could point me toward the mayor, that is all I need." Smithers expected an easy answer since Rodrigo had given him full access, but figured it may be easier to find the mayor on his own.

"Last I saw the mayor was at the tennis courts earlier getting his daily tennis match and jog done. Try looking there." Rodrigo answered as he wrote more notes behind the counter. "Here is a map of the spa so you don't get lost. Anything else you need, feel free to contact the front desk and ask for me. My name is Rodrigo and I can assist you. Enjoy your stay sir." Rodrigo went to the room behind the counter and left Smithers starting there stunned.

"To the tennis courts." Smithers looked at the map and show where he was in relation to the tennis courts. "Time to go find the mayor and complete my turn." He left the front desk and walked around the building until he saw a large expanse of trees, mountains, flowers, and smaller buildings. "This place is so relaxing, why haven't I been here before? Oh right, this isn't in Springfield."

He sighed and descended the first set of brick stairs that ended at a patio with a few tables and a fire pit. He continued around and down another set of brick stairs and was at the level of the tennis courts. Four people were currently engaged in a back and forth tennis match with neither side missing a shot.

"Excuse me. Is anyone playing tennis the mayor of this property? I need to talk to you if you are." Smithers said loud enough to be heard over the grunts of the players.

They seemed to ignore him and focus on their game. After several more shots, one of them missed a return and the point was over. "You had a question a minute ago?" A tennis player asked Smithers. "Sorry, I was focusing because they never seem to lose." He said as he pointed the tennis racket at the other team.

"Are you the mayor that I'm looking for?" Smithers hoped it was that easy.

"I am not." The man answered. "The mayor finished his match here a little while ago and said he was going to get his horse ready for a trail ride. So it may be several hours before he comes back.

"Isn't it a bit dark to be trail riding?" Smithers asked as he looked into the distance and saw a path lit up by a string of lampposts. "I assume that is the trail and if I finish going down these stairs, I could find the mayor..."

"I wouldn't walk the trail in the dark. It is a few miles long and forms a loop down to the lake and through the mountains." The man explained. "The river crossing near the lake might be a bit rough in the dark. I would just find something here to occupy your time. Besides the mayor has a campsite near the lake, so he may not come back at all tonight."

Smithers frowned when he heard this and thought about what his options were. "I guess I don't have a choice but to find something to occupy my time tonight. I have a keycard to get treated like royalty, does anyone have any suggestions?" Smithers asked in hopes of finding something he liked at the spa.

"It is late, but most amenities are offered twenty-four hours a day. I would recommend the sauna, or a massage, or..." The first women was interrupted by the second woman.

"A mudbath. It's so soothing to lay in a bath of mud that opens all your pores and gets the body feeling rejuvenated." She explained to Smithers. "And the exfoliating cucumber facial is nice to get along with the mudbath."

"It sounds like you are trying to sell him on the mudbath." The first woman joked.

"Well, I do work there during the day. I know my craft." The second woman said as she pointed toward the building on the next level down from the tennis courts. "Just go there and someone should be waiting to help you. If not Rodrigo can find him."

"Thanks. That sounds relaxing after the day I've had." Smithers smiled as he waved to the tennis players and the sound of grunts could be heard again as they started their game again.

He descended another set of brick stairs and entered a smaller building and saw the attendant waiting behind a short counter. "Can I help you tonight sir? What service can I interest you in?"

"The woman playing tennis suggested a mudbath and cucumber facial. Can I get that done?" Smithers asked with glee hoping he had enough time.

"You sure can. Follow me." The attendant lead him to the back room and showed him the giant mudbath. "There are designated seats in the mud if you want to jump in and rest your head on the side and I will apply the cucumbers and exfoliating facial cream."

The man left and Smithers jumped in the mudbath and did as he was told. He leaned back and the attendant applied the cucumbers to his eyes and rubbed the exfoliating cream on his face. "How long do I leave this on?"

"One hour. Just lay back, take a short nap, and I will return when the time is up." The attendant answered as Smithers closed his eyes to take a nap.

Several minutes went by when he felt someone else get into the mudbath. Ripples of mud circled through the bath, but Smithers didn't do anything to see who it was.

"You may remember me from such mudbaths as this one, the one yesterday, or the one last week. Hi. I'm Troy McClure, the mayor for this property." The stranger in the mudbath said.

Smithers immediately woke up when hearing that voice. "Mayor!" He exclaimed. "I've been looking for the mayor for a while now. I really need to talk to you." Smithers felt his heart rate pick up as he knew what he needed to do now.

"I had a busy day." McClure explained. It started with sunbathing by the pool, which was interrupted by an emergency mayor meeting. After sitting through that, my normal schedule for the day got delayed by several hours. I missed the beach yoga class, was late for spin class, and had to run up all the brick stairs to invite our new guests to a fireside barbecue. Then it was tennis and taking my horse on its daily trail ride." He sounded exhausted going on his busy day. "I just want to relax in my evening mudbath before going to sleep."

"I can't compare my day to that. Mine just sounds weird." Smithers admitted without going into details. "Before you get too comfortable in here, can we go to the stone statue you have?"

"I just got in here and it's time for me to relax." McClure said in a tone that showed he didn't want to be bothered. "I'll tell you what I can do. I can tell you where the statue is, and you can find it on your own while I relax. How does that sound?"

"As long as it works that way. You don't have to be there?" Smithers asked to verify.

"I do not." McClure took a deep breath and gave Smithers directions. "Go down two more sets of brick stairs to the water front and turn right. The statue is inside the boathouse. Good luck. It's time for me to take a mudbath nap." McClure closed his eyes and felt Smithers get out of the mudbath.

"I guess I'll come back after the statue to finish, but it's so exciting to continue the game." Smithers left and ran down the two sets of brick stairs and saw a flowing river in front of him. On the right was the boathouse as mentioned by McClure. He walked inside and saw the statue looking at him. "Same process as before." He placed the MyPad in the statue's hands and the green hologram appeared as expected.

"Greetings and... where is McClure?" The green hologram asked. "Nevermind. That man is too busy for his own schedule. Welcome to Pennsylvania Avenue. This property is unowned and can be bought for three hundred twenty dollars. Any visitor to spa will be charged twenty-eight dollars for the royal treatment. Now, make your decision."

"I will definitely buy this property. I love the relaxing mudbath." Smithers pressed the buy button. The green hologram disappeared and three pieces of paper printed out below the statue's hands. Smithers grabbed his MyPad and the pieces of paper. The first was his title-deed as expected. The second was a sales receipt showing his twelve hundred sixty dollar starting balance minus three hundred twenty dollars for the property, leaving him nine hundred forty dollars.

The third piece of paper was also expected. It read: 'My turn again. Signed CMB.' Smithers looked up and a red hologram appeared. "Another red hologram?" Smithers asked.

"The game is now frozen." The red hologram replied. "And I am another red hologram, different from the one you saw the first time." The red hologram disappeared after saying this.

"There will always be a red hologram after your turn." A voice louder than everything said. "I intend to pause the game after your turn so I can chat with Kent Brockman." Burns said over the loud-speaker.

"We have witnessed the first turn and first code in the game. The second turn is now over, so is it time for another code to be entered into the game?" Brockman asked during the start of the interview. "What can you tell everyone about the game. Has anything changed since the last time I spoke with you?"

"Glad you asked Kent. The game is progressing exactly as planned." Burns said with confidence. "I am ready to see where the game goes from here. I have many more surprises to introduce into the game. I haven't begun to show off the true potential of my game yet. I have another trick up sleeve for..." Burns hesitated again as he saw the loud-speaker was still on. "I swear I'm going to give away secrets leaving that loud-speaker on." Burns turned the loudspeaker off and only the silence remained.

"I guess I can go back and wait in the mudbath." Smithers said disappointedly as he eyed a kayak in the boathouse. "The water is too calm to go out on the river, so I guess it's go back and relax with McClure in the mudbath. Which reminds me that I still have this exfoliating cream on my face." Smithers left the boathouse and took another look at the calm river before ascending the brick stairs. "The silence is calming. I think it's time for that nap."