“Get that Gleep on the holoprompter!” Councilman Gerwin shouted to his imaginary friend Garbo, “and this time make sure it’s him! I won’t be kept waiting, like some child!”
While he waited for Garbo to accomplish his assigned task he set down his action figures and took out a candy cigarette. It had been a very tough week, a tough week indeed. In addition to the ball pit sanitization, which had put a real damper on the fistfights, there had been at least four times when he had had to read papers and sign them. That had been before this news, The Big News, and for the second time today he’d assigned Garbo with a task that seemed monumentally out of reach. Fortunately for Garbo, and Gerwin’s temper, Bobo (the Council Butler) walked in and announced that a Mr. Gleep was on the telephone and seemed very insistent.
“Mr. Gleep, I’ve been trying to contact you. You must excuse my assistant. He’s imaginary, and finds tasks difficult.”
“I completely understand, sir. I was simply calling to express my condolences.”
Ah, so Gleep knew about The Big News. Well, that shouldn’t be enough to disqualify him from advancement but Gerwin would have to keep a close eye on him from that point on- that was evident. Still, it was going to make their conversation easier.
“Yes, yes, condolences accepted. The internship aboard the Kroger was an exciting opportunity for young Bradley. I sent him a water pistol in an effort to lift his spirits but by all accounts he just fires it into his mouth every time they show it to him. Poor boy, I imagine he’ll have to be incinerated.”
“Oh sir, this is terrible news.”
“The most terrible Gleep, the most terrible. A man’s uncle is his uncle, after all.”
“Well sir, condolences given, I suppose I should get-“
“Ah, not quite yet, Gleep. The ship that raided the Kroger…I understand it’s the same ship that failed to explode the Albright.”
“Yes, I do believe that is the case, sir.”
Well-informed this Gleep was. Too well-informed. He’d have the Service look into the man. He made a mental note to tell Garbo to get with Captain Loveybear and his sand art pad, then carried on with Gleep: “Well don’t you think we should do something about it? It’s in your sector, I believe.”
“Are those your orders, sir?”
Gerwin closed his eyes, and then hummed a little tune to himself. When they opened he found them resting on the Mobile of State which hung above his head.
“Kill them all, Gleep. Kill them all!”
“They shall ride the lightning, puppetmaster.”
“Good- wait, what was that?”
“What sir?”
“Puppetmaster?”
“Oh, well, I was merely-“
“Don’t make up names for me, Gleep. You don’t know me, and you aren’t good at it.”
“Yes sir. Sorry sir.”
“It was a silly name. This is serious business.” He squeezed a nearby rubber duck for emphasis, and hoped Gleep heard the wailing shriek.
“Of course, sir. They will be dealt with.”
“Good.” Gerwin hung up the phone and turned to Garbo, who he visualized as being in the corner of the room.
“He called me puppetmaster. Yes. No, for no reason! Yes exactly. My thoughts exactly, Garbo. You’re my top man for a reason. Now put on your baggiest pants, we’re off to see the emperor.” Gerwin stood up and pulled on his Official bathrobe. Bobo opened the doors and he made his way out. Puppetmaster indeed, he thought. Puppetmaster indeed.
