Log:A Talk in the Park

Shadow Squad 2013/07/05 Jennifer 1

Buckingham Gardens Park

This is lush green park surrounds an inlet of water which appears to be a lake, but is in fact and arm of a creek open onto the bay itself. Water-lilies float on its surface, while flowering bushes and shrubs dot its edge; numerous benches allow one to sit and enjoy the view. Large trees of various species surround the "lake" providing shade for the recreational area. Fields of flowers are seen in the clearings between some of the trees, providing a vast array of color everywhere on all directions. The recreational area has a baseball diamond, a soccer field, a children's jungle gym swing set, and several covered picnic areas.

To the west the trees are more numerous, forming pleasant wood. In the north the land climbs in terraces up to Colonial Heights, where the old mansion of the Buckinghams still stands, a separate property now, since the family lost their fortune and were forced to sell both house and garden. The southern terminus of the Main Street MagLev line emerges from underground near the house; it is designed to blend with the landscaping of the park.

Jennifer comes into view in the park, stepping out of concealing bushes from the well hidden track leading to Dancing Coyote's old camp. She doesn't mention it to anyone, but she visits the camp fairly frequently, keeping it clean and tide. Maybe DC isn't coming back. But if he does he'll find his old living place has been maintained by the Twins. Call it a tribute to the advice he imparted to her.

Not to far away from the Well-Hidden Trail, there's a man sitting on a bench, feeding pigeons from a piece of bread in his hands. It's J, and he's dressed for the weather, in a white short sleeved shirt and khaki shorts.

Jennifer smiles, and heads over to the bench. She sits beside J and glances at him. "Somehow I'm not surprised you knew where to find me. I am surprised you're out in the open like this. Trouble?"

J nods to Jennifer. "It depends..." he says, a twinge of his Texas drawl coming through in the way he draws out his words. "Now, I've got good news and bad news." He pinches off a bit of bread between his finger and thumb and tosses it a few feet to the birds.

"Which do you want first?" J asks.

Jennifer looks at the birds as she answers J, "Let's have the good news first. It's so much rarer."

J nods. "Well, the good news is that the Company is impressed with the job you did on that train thing. Real good work." He pauses to watch a pair of pigeon duel one another for the same bit of bread. "Which brings me to the bad news: they liked the job you did so much, they want more of that good work. Difficult stuff. Stuff best handled by someone not wearing a cape and shiny spandex." He quirks an eyebrow and looks over a Jennifer. "But knowing you, you probably think that's still part of the good news."

Jennifer sighs, "Do you know how long I've been doing this kind of stuff, J? Since I was twelve. And before that I was training for it. I've been looking increasingly wisfully at those of my friends who have settled down after hanging up the cape. I'm getting tired. I'll do it of course. I won't let you or the company down. But pass the message back if you will. I guess I'm just getting old."

J nods. "You and your siblings probably deserve a chance at a peaceful life..." J's quiet for a moment. "I'll pass your message back to the Company. When you're ready, come down to the Body Shop, get that bike of yours looked at."

Jennifer nods, "J, the good work was a team effort. It wouldn't have happened if not for the diverse talents of the team members. Unless there's special circumstances I pick the team. I know who I can work with. Who I can trust to not fubar if, when, things go haywire. They'll need to be convinced the job is worth doing, and that they can look in a mirror afterwards without flinching. Come to think about it, so will I."

Jennifer smiles, "And I won't deny it was fun. Kind of a blast back to my past. So maybe I'm not entirely grown old yet."

J nods. "I can understand. You'll be free to accept or decline your missions and pick your team. And Jennifer..." J pauses for a moment, "One day there'll be a time and there'll be a person, where disappointing that person will mean more than disappointing the Company. When that time comes, let me know."

Jennifer turns to face J. "You're a good man, J. My life has been strongly shaped by certain influences. Dancing Coyote. Howl. Lorelei. Rebound. Even Caleb in his own way. Regent, Spirit as well. And you. I'm with the Company because of you. Whatever I eventually decide to do, I hope we'll stay in touch."

J nods to Jennifer. He turns and departs.