Reginald didn't appear on the outside to have it as rough as the others, but I noticed that instead of being his usually peppy self, he sat in silence and clutched his coffee like it was the only thing keeping him alive.
Every time one of them grumbled or groaned, Lynette would flash me a grin and roll her eyes. Marlon largely ignored everyone, working on something at the portable terminal I let him bring to the table even though Reginald had put up a weak argument about it being rude.
Christophe came in. I figured he was still in bed "sleeping it off", like Ralph begged me to let him do. He was not. He came in completely businesslike and snapped them into action in spite of their loud protests.
"Don't you ever get fazed by anything?" asked Jillian, sounding utterly miserable. "It's just not fair."
Christophe gave a quick laugh. "Nothing unfair about it, two drinks, then switch to lemonade. Simple." He glanced at his watch. "And I'm sorry that you weren't smarter, but you all know the schedule for today."
"Free day, Chris," said Reginald, half begging.
Christophe pursed his lips together. I knew that look. He was out of patience. "Fine. I'll just call 'Good Day USA' and tell them that the head of StarTech got too blitzed last night to..."
Reginald cut him off. "I get it. Can't blame me for trying."
"Jillian, your transport will be here in fifteen minutes."
She sighed with relief. "Thank god." She gave a little nod to the group. "I'll see you in a few."
"Where's she going?" I asked.
"Home." Christophe put his breakfast order in with one of the service bots and took a seat near Reginald. "She has a husband and children and I think she's more than earned a vacation to spend time with them, don't you?"
"Of course." I hadn't really given much thought to Jillian beyond the fact that she made me wear horrible clothes. Somewhere in my mind I remembered her talking about kids. I thought she was so old that they'd be grown. I couldn't really visualize her in a home with a family, but I bet they made quite a picture. A very oddly dressed picture.
"I have my symposium..." Dr. Karl mumbled and stood.
"Good luck, Karl," mumbled Ralph from somewhere in the folded arms.
"I do not believe I will speak to you for quite some time, Sergeant Buttrick!"
Ralph chuckled then moaned. He lifted his head a little to squint at the doctor. "Hey, you knew what you were in for. Don't blame me for getting you liquored up."
The doctor snorted, then turned and gave me a little bow. "It has been a pleasure, Jake. I thank you for your hospitality and the privilege of being your physician. Should you need my services in the future, do not hesitate to call."
"You're leaving leaving?"
He nodded. "It is time to resume the thrilling life of a touring educator." He stuck his hand out and I shook it with mixed feelings. "Take care of yourself. Eat proper food, not junk, now." He gave me a small smile, then turned and left without another word.
I stood there for a minute feeling...well, lost, I suppose. "I didn't know they were going," I said to no one in particular.
"You've got such a busy schedule that I doubt you'll miss them," Christophe said with a little too much enthusiasm. Pat the kid on the head and tell him it's all okay. That's what he was doing. From Christophe, I found it highly annoying.
I sat back down and angrily stabbed at my eggs. "Keep me busy and out of trouble, huh?"
"Don't be sassy," said Ralph. He was finally sipping his coffee.
Christophe ignored the anger he had to hear in my voice. It annoyed me even more. "Today you will accompany Ralph on his family visits. His request. You will return by noon for a luncheon with the presidential representative from the United States."
Ralph whistled and Lynette gave a little gasp. It was a big deal. I knew it from their reactions.
"Alone?" I asked from around the sudden lump of fear in my throat.
Christophe waved a little hand. "Your choice."
"What to meet the president?" I asked Lynette.
"I don't have anything I could wear to something like that." Her face turned red.
"Dress uniforms for all," said Christophe. He was saying it to put Lynette at ease. "Even Reginald will be in his StarTech regalia." Reginald quirked an eyebrow at that, but said nothing.
She still looked unsure. "Marlon?"
"Mr. Donnely is not invited to this event," said Christophe.
Marlon grinned at him, taking no offense. "Whatsa matta, Chris? Afraid of what I'll say to the stuffed shirt blow hard?"
"Marlon!" Lynette gasped. "He's our president!"
"So? I didn't vote for him. Have your lunch with that traitorous, short sighted, commie..."
"Ralph, you in?" I asked quickly.
"Sergeant Buttrick's attendance is mandatory."
I looked to Lynette. I wanted her there. "Please?"
Her face was red. "I..."
"I shall inform the staff to prepare a seat for Miss Donnely," said Christophe, tapping it into his holo. And just like that, Lynette was having lunch with me. Oh, and the president. "Next you will have an interview with Colson Pembroke."
Lynette seemed even more shocked by that than the presidential lunch. "Colson? The Colson?" Her face turned even redder, if that's possible. She touched her cheek. "Oh, Jake. You have to have me there!"
I did laugh then. "Sure. Who's Colson?"
Lynette groaned. "I knew you weren't reading the holozines I assigned you!"
"Doesn't listen to his HuTA either," Ralph said, shaking his head. "He's plain lazy, that one."
I sighed. "I take it he's some reporter?"
Lynette let out a strangled noise, she was so outraged. "Some reporter. Colson Pembroke is the word in pop culture, and you call him 'some reporter'. He's got the number one column in every single newspaper, the number one show on every station, not to mention the daily programs he runs over the holo on all the breaking news in fashion, celebrities..."
"He's a gossip monger," said Marlon. "Lynnie only likes him because he's...what did you call him?"
"Shut up, Marlon," she said through clenched teeth.
"Oh, that's right," he said, drawing it out and thoroughly enjoying annoying his sister. "Dreamy beyond all reason, I think. That was it, wasn't it, Lynnie?"
"Marlon," said Christophe in a warning tone. "He is an extremely influential reporter, Jake," he clar ified for me. I sort of remembered his face on some of the programs Lynette had me watch. I think that was him, anyway. "And you absolutely must make this interview."
"Why?"
"He's your ticket in with the kids your age." Before I could argue that I didn't want or need that ticket, he kept speaking. He knew what I was going to say. I was sure of it. "It will make the rest of your stay here a lot easier if we have external assistance in introducing you to society."
"But..."
"No buts. This is non-negotiable." He actually said it as if there had been a single negotiable situation since my arrival on Utopia. It almost made me laugh.
"Please, Jake. Promise you'll do your best." Lynette looked like this was extremely important. I'd do it for her.
I sighed heavily. "And after that interview? What do I do next?"
"You have a meeting with a wardrobe consultant."
That really made me groan. "I already lived through Jillian..."
"She's a uniform specialist. You need to look more like a child your age."
Child. It rubbed me the wrong way. "So I have to be poked and prodded and have everything, and I mean everything, measured and tugged and stuffed and..."
Lynette put her hand on my arm. "You don't want to stick out, Jake."
I snorted at the sheer idiocy of it all. "Lynnette, there is nothing they can dress me in that will make me not stick out."
Ralph laughed. "Kid's got a point."
"Regardless, you will see the wardrobe consultant."
There was no use arguing. "And then?"
"That's all for today."
"That's all, huh? No jumps through flaming hoops?"
Christophe gave me a bland smile. "That's on the schedule for tomorrow."