Edsel Grizzler by James Roy Page A

Richard snapped his fingers, then waited, smiling at Edsel, who looked back, saying nothing. What was there to say any way?
    A moment later the door opened and Man entered, carrying a covered tray, which he placed on the chest. He removed the cover to reveal a tall, icy glass of lemonade with a slice of lemon in it, before stepping to one side, partly behind Richard and partly towards the door. Then, with his hands folded in front of him, Man stood silently.
    â€˜Go ahead,’ Richard said, nodding towards the drink. ‘You don’t need to be nervous. It’s lemonade, as you requested.’
    â€˜Thanks,’ Edsel said, picking up the glass, feeling the icy condensation against his fingertips, so cold it almost hurt. He tried to remember what he’d read about dreams and pain. Was it that in dreams you can feel pain, or you can’t? He was pretty sure it was that in dreams you can’t feel pain. Which meant that he wasn’t dreaming, as much as he’d hoped that he was.
    He took a sip. The drink certainly tasted like regular lemonade. Very nice, regular lemonade.
    â€˜All right?’ Richard asked, watching Edsel closely.
    â€˜Yeah, it’s good. Oo!’ he yelped as he was suddenly hit with a case of brain freeze, right between the eyes. No, this was definitely no dream.
    â€˜Now, Robert, listen carefully,’ Richard was saying. The role of the kids in Verdada is to make decisions about each Lost Thing. Each item you’ll assess – assuming you stay – has been misplaced. Some will be returned, some will never be found again. Your role is to decide.’
    â€˜I see,’ Edsel said.
    â€˜No, you don’t. Not yet. Robert, each and every child here possesses a very special responsibility. Your role, after training, will be to consider Lost Things, one at a time and the circumstances that led their loss, and to decide whether they should be returned, redistributed, or destroyed.’
    â€˜Why kids? What do kids know about this sort of thing?’
    â€˜Children are very wise, certainly wiser than they’re given credit for. If you’d like, you can be part of this great honour and responsibility.’
    Edsel fought down the urge to leap out of his seat once more. ‘But why? Why would I do this? What’s in this for me? Apart from lots of time off doing fun stuff, I mean.’
    â€˜Oh, the reward for service to Verdada is generous, and far exceeds being able to play some game on the beach or ride a roller-coaster or eat as much ice-cream as you like. The true reward is that, after a short qualifying period, each Arbiter is granted something terribly precious. You are granted your Heart’s Greatest Desire.’
    â€˜Which is what?’
    Richard held out both hands. ‘It’s different for everyone.’
    â€˜But I don’t know what mine is.’
    â€˜Oh, we give you time to think about that before you decide. But there is a catch.’
    â€˜I knew it!’ Edsel said. ‘Go on, tell me – what’s the catch?’
    â€˜The catch is that those who choose their Desire may never return home.’
    â€˜Never?’
    â€˜Never.’
    â€˜Oh.’
    â€˜Yes, but that’s not as bad as you might think. They get to stay here, Forever Young, in a place of Forever Fun.’ Richard smiled. ‘You might say that that’s our slogan here in Verdada. It’s not bad, is it? Maybe we should put that over the gate.’
    â€˜Where’s the gate?’
    â€˜There isn’t one. But it’s still a good slogan, don’t you think?’
    â€˜Forever Young, in a place of Forever Fun,’ Edsel said, trying out the words. ‘What if someone is keen to grow up, but they never get there?’
    â€˜What’s so great about being a grown-up?’ Richard asked, a slight frown twitching around his eyes.
    Edsel thought. ‘Well, to start with, you get to drive a