Marvin Finds a Home by Patrick Sean Lee (ebook offline .txt) 📕

Maribeth clapped with glee. “Thank you, Mama!”

Richard relented against his better judgment. He closed his eyes for a moment, considering the dreadful possibilities this insane old man could inflict on the household, larceny being the least damaging among them.

“We have security cameras…”

“Daddy!”

“…positioned strategically everywhere.” He reached across the desk and picked up the landline phone, quickly keying in a number. A second or two later the recipient of his call responded.

“Chief Johnson, sir. What can I do for you?”

Richard spoke. “Hi Dan. I want two officers stationed at the front and rear entrances to the Mansion this evening.”

“Yes, sir. Any problem there?”

“None at all. Just a precaution. I’ll explain later. How are Judith and the kids?”

“They’re fine, governor. Are you certain everything’s okay?”

“Couldn’t be better. Have a good evening.” Richard ended the call and gazed at the guest.

“Any questions, Mr. Fuster?”

“You don’t believe me.”

“Do I look mad to you? I’m not at all certain how you’ve come to be able to speak like Cicero—if anything of what you’ve said is true—but I will accede against my better judgment to my wife’s request. For one evening. Be advised, someone will be outside your bedroom door, wide awake, this entire night as well. Read, if that is what you intend, but remember that this mansion is a fortress. Many eyes will be watching you.”

And then he turned his eyes to Maribeth.

“Take Robert and show Mister Fuster to the bedroom, and then come back upstairs to ours for a moment. Tell Robert to stay down there. If the knob turns, tell him to shoot first and ask questions later.”

Back to Marvin. “Welcome to the Governor’s Mansion, Mr. Fuster.”

“Oh Daddy, thank you so much. You’ll see, you’ll see. Marvin will become the brightest star in the sky, thanks to you.”

“Only for the evening, Maribeth. One night.” He rose, keeping his gaze fixed on Marvin.

“I must be as mad as you. Goodnight, and ponder well what I’ve just said.” He left the study.

Trish began to follow him, all aglow with visions of Marvin’s impossible task spinning like a centrifuge in her head. She turned briefly at the glistening wood doors and spoke to their overnight guest.

“Have you eaten, Mr. Fahl…Fuster? Darling,” she directed this comment to Maribeth. “Ask Robert to have Consuela prepare something for Mr. Fuster. If he’s hungry, that is. One cannot study very well on an empty stomach. Goodnight.” She left, humming the notes of a tune Marvin recognized from his Anselm-inspired tutelage: “Chances Are”. 

Text: (c)Patrick Sean Lee 2011
Publication Date: 09-18-2011

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To my beloved Pammy, my Maribeth.