happened too often lately, the conversation moved to current affairs and actual study got short shrift.
This time, they’d gotten into it with another group. Frankie, as usual, seemed ready to get into an argument about anything or everything.
“You’re kidding, right? Conspiracy?” Frankie said. “Better yet, government conspiracy?”
“And why is that surprising?” the loudest of the other group asked. “You’re telling me they won’t do what’s best for them and screw the rest of us?”
“Well, if they were Republicans, yes!” Frankie replied with a nasty smile. “That’s exactly what you expect Republicans to do!”
This produced a glare of rage from the other guy. Although he hadn’t admitted to his political leanings, the degree of vitriol he displayed about the current administration left little doubt.
Suzie knew that Frankie enjoyed arguments like this. He didn’t care about the specific subject matter that much, but baiting blowhards of any stripe was always premium entertainment for him.
Suzie waggled her fingers at him. “Hey. Frankie. Study Session, remember? Late Antiquity? Exam coming up? Passing grade? Any of this ringing a bell?”
Frankie and the other guy both looked sheepish. The other group’s study session had also been derailed by the growing storm.
Everyone settled back in their chairs, turned to their various reading materials, and prepared to get down to work.
“It’s still a conspiracy…” The other guy muttered. A wadded piece of paper bounced off his head, and everyone broke up in laughter.
“Regardless, did you hear the latest?” Maddie said. “A road literally melted in Yellowstone. They’re saying the magma shifted or something, and it’s heated the ground so much the asphalt melted. It’s cut off part of the park.”
“I saw that story,” Suzie said. “But they say that happens quite often. No cause for concern.”
The other guy snorted.
Frankie grinned. “I have to agree with conspiracy guy on that one. They’re always saying, ‘Nothing to worry about.’ I’ve started to visualize Officer Barbrady whenever I hear that: Nothing to see here. Move along. Move along. ”
Outland
July 6
Richard
Richard started the day with a feeling of anticipation. Yesterday evening’s scouting expedition had gone better than expected. They had found out everything they needed to know so wouldn’t have to take a tour. Even better, they had found a parking lot a stone’s throw from where they wanted to be. Piece of cake.
Or not. The parking lot was very busy, very public, and not at all suitable for setting up a bunch of scientific equipment and opening a portal.
“Oh, bloody hell!” Richard exclaimed. “Really?” He looked to heaven. “You really are a bastard, aren’t you?” He imagined he could hear a deep laugh coming from above.
After a few seconds, Richard sighed and turned to the others, only to find Monica glaring at him.
“Your plan, oh great leader?”
Richard could see Bill in the background, wearing that damned smug smile. He deliberately looked straight at Monica. “Maybe we can find a place to park where we can get some privacy. Even if it’s a little farther away. How about we split up?” He gestured to Kevin, “You stay with the vehicles, the rest of us will look for something that might work. A lane, access road, old abandoned property, I dunno…”
They split up, heading off on foot in ones and twos.
They met back at the parking lot an hour later.
Richard pointed back up the access road. “Believe it or not, I actually found something. There’s an overgrown side road a little ways back, although ‘road’ might be charitable. It’s not paved. But it curves so you lose sight of the main road right away. It’s a bit farther from the creek of course. We’ll have to use compass bearings to make sure we don’t get lost.”
“Or spray paint cans, for marking the trail,” Bill added. “That’s why I brought
This time, they’d gotten into it with another group. Frankie, as usual, seemed ready to get into an argument about anything or everything.
“You’re kidding, right? Conspiracy?” Frankie said. “Better yet, government conspiracy?”
“And why is that surprising?” the loudest of the other group asked. “You’re telling me they won’t do what’s best for them and screw the rest of us?”
“Well, if they were Republicans, yes!” Frankie replied with a nasty smile. “That’s exactly what you expect Republicans to do!”
This produced a glare of rage from the other guy. Although he hadn’t admitted to his political leanings, the degree of vitriol he displayed about the current administration left little doubt.
Suzie knew that Frankie enjoyed arguments like this. He didn’t care about the specific subject matter that much, but baiting blowhards of any stripe was always premium entertainment for him.
Suzie waggled her fingers at him. “Hey. Frankie. Study Session, remember? Late Antiquity? Exam coming up? Passing grade? Any of this ringing a bell?”
Frankie and the other guy both looked sheepish. The other group’s study session had also been derailed by the growing storm.
Everyone settled back in their chairs, turned to their various reading materials, and prepared to get down to work.
“It’s still a conspiracy…” The other guy muttered. A wadded piece of paper bounced off his head, and everyone broke up in laughter.
“Regardless, did you hear the latest?” Maddie said. “A road literally melted in Yellowstone. They’re saying the magma shifted or something, and it’s heated the ground so much the asphalt melted. It’s cut off part of the park.”
“I saw that story,” Suzie said. “But they say that happens quite often. No cause for concern.”
The other guy snorted.
Frankie grinned. “I have to agree with conspiracy guy on that one. They’re always saying, ‘Nothing to worry about.’ I’ve started to visualize Officer Barbrady whenever I hear that: Nothing to see here. Move along. Move along. ”
Outland
July 6
Richard
Richard started the day with a feeling of anticipation. Yesterday evening’s scouting expedition had gone better than expected. They had found out everything they needed to know so wouldn’t have to take a tour. Even better, they had found a parking lot a stone’s throw from where they wanted to be. Piece of cake.
Or not. The parking lot was very busy, very public, and not at all suitable for setting up a bunch of scientific equipment and opening a portal.
“Oh, bloody hell!” Richard exclaimed. “Really?” He looked to heaven. “You really are a bastard, aren’t you?” He imagined he could hear a deep laugh coming from above.
After a few seconds, Richard sighed and turned to the others, only to find Monica glaring at him.
“Your plan, oh great leader?”
Richard could see Bill in the background, wearing that damned smug smile. He deliberately looked straight at Monica. “Maybe we can find a place to park where we can get some privacy. Even if it’s a little farther away. How about we split up?” He gestured to Kevin, “You stay with the vehicles, the rest of us will look for something that might work. A lane, access road, old abandoned property, I dunno…”
They split up, heading off on foot in ones and twos.
They met back at the parking lot an hour later.
Richard pointed back up the access road. “Believe it or not, I actually found something. There’s an overgrown side road a little ways back, although ‘road’ might be charitable. It’s not paved. But it curves so you lose sight of the main road right away. It’s a bit farther from the creek of course. We’ll have to use compass bearings to make sure we don’t get lost.”
“Or spray paint cans, for marking the trail,” Bill added. “That’s why I brought
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