We walked down to the first floor of the Tower Prison,
and then I found out what was in the missing piece of hall. Elevators. We
descended rapidly as my stomach floated somewhere above us. The stop was so
sudden it caught up with a thud.
"The stairs would have been more comfortable."
I said.
"Not by tonight." it was Toni.
"OK, listen up." Lana had a speech. "Geof,
you and Cindy lead. Cindy on your left. The rest of us follow at about ten feet
in single file. I'll bring up the rear."
"Cindy, you know the way so you'll have to guide
Geof, but make it look like he's leading. There will be guards all along the
route, so cut out any chatter about tonight, OK?"
We all nodded agreement.
"One last thing. There will be crowds at some points
along the way, most will be friendly but some may not. Be careful. Now lets
go."
We left the tower through a small door and started for
the southeast tower. Cindy used hand pressure to guide me as we walked the
twisted streets too tower two. Lana's statement about the crowds was only
grossly understated, but we had no trouble along the way.
Most of the crowd was just curious, wanting to look. Some
seemed to want to press closer, but stayed clear, anyway. I asked Cindy why
they seemed afraid to get to near, and she told me it was because I was
obviously un-restrained and the years of hearing how men are un-predictable at,
best, keeps them back.
The city itself was clean for the most part, but there
was very little to see except for the blank walls of the buildings we passed.
From time to time I could see one, or the other of the towers but other than
that, just people and their dwellings. It felt claustrophobic and closed in,
with the walls so close on us, and we were supposed to be outside! I was glad
when we entered the small door of Prison Tower Two.
I was like a country kid in the city for the first time
once we got inside. My curiosity must have been obvious, because on the ride up
Lana told me not to gawk around while we were introduced.
"You'll have opportunity to look, just be patient
while the social amenities are dispensed with."
I had just said I'd try, when the elevator tossed my
stomach up to my throat; the doors opened and we stepped into the living room
on the women's floor of Tower Two. Six more women were waiting nearby.
My head was swimming as the introductions were made, but
I smiled and nodded while I managed to repeat their names. It was all I could
do to contain myself as our hosts plied us with food and drink, all I wanted to
do was explore. All anyone else wanted to do was look at me. So I escaped into
a daydream.
Tina and Cindy came to my rescue shortly and bracketed me
as they walked me around the room, finally stopping at a window. We stood there
looking out while the two of them said what was on their minds.
Cindy, "Geof, what's wrong, you look pale?"
"I'm overwhelmed by all the activity and people. I
can't remember any of their names, and I feel like I'm a animal in a zoo, the
way their staring."
Tina, "OK, Cindy and I will leave you here and go
tell our hosts they'll have to back off. Maybe it would help if each of us
paired off with one of their group and talked with them for a while, tell them
not to stare to much or approach in a group."
"If it works, OK, but things are moving too fast. I
can't even think of anything to say while I'm being pressed and
inspected."
Cindy, "Tina, why don't you go send Lana over here
and then talk to the others, spread the word to our group?"
Tina, "OK Geof. Is that OK if I go do that?"
I nodded yes, and Tina floated away. "Maybe if I
went to talk with the man first, I've got to get my balance back."
Cindy responded, "I don't think he'll let anyone in
his rooms but if you want to try, lets ask."
Lana arrived and Cindy told her what I wanted. Lana
looked at me for a moment, then went to try and arrange something, Cindy leaned
into me, pushing me into a nearby chair.
I sat.
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Chapter 57 | Chapter 59
Index | Title Page
| Credits | Preamble | TOC