Hello again.
Already for chapter nine of the advent of Smouse,
The checklist.
The group settles around the kitchen table.
Raz is seated at Sam's feet.
Smouse is perched on the table and Mentor sits on a chair next to Perry.
Perry and Ex desperately hope that neither of their parents return to witness the sight.
Mentor insists on a bowl of water on the table,
Not on the floor like Raz.
Smouse produces the guide checklist.
He explains that he and Mentor have been recording information during the day and have combined it with their previous observations.
He doesn't show them the list,
Nor does he inform them as to what it contains.
He simply outlines the findings from which they have created a chart which displays a percentage rating for the known operators of the machines.
In summary,
It appears to himself and Mentor that the infected computers are the new ones that carry the Diablo symbol and that the people who scored poorly with regards positivism or negativism on the checklist are those whose computers were affected by the power drain.
He admits that he and Mentor are not 100% sure,
But there appears to be a definite correlation between the two.
The hairs on the back of Perry's neck bristle.
Embarrassed and upset by the implication,
She immediately demands to know what is on the checklist and what their ratings are.
Smouse hesitates,
Not wishing to ruffle her further.
He fixes her with his big eyes and asks for some more of her delicious peanut butter.
She scowls at him and obliges,
But immediately,
Like a dog with a bone,
Pursues the matter.
He sighs and looks at Mentor who nods.
Well,
He pauses.
If she were on the list,
Bubbles being 100% positive would be at the top.
Everyone smiles and nods in agreement.
Bubbles hearing her name beams and blows a few bubbles as Smouse continues.
Sam and Tamari are both in the 90s.
Your mum is about 85 and X varies between 60 and 80.
He stops.
And me and Dad?
Perry isn't sure she wants him to continue.
Smouse has a quick gulp of his whisky.
You're a bit up and down.
You have brief moments well over 80 and many fewer than 50.
Perry glares at her brother warning him not to say anything.
And Dad,
X says it for her.
He's usually about 40.
Perry sings disconsolately back into her chair.
But you're not 100% certain?
X changes the group's attention.
Perry is grateful for her brother's question.
No,
Smouse admits that he and Mentor need more data to confirm their deductions and they'd like the group to help them.
They especially need to determine the extent of the problem in Martin Black's company.
Tamari interrupts him for a moment to ask X a question.
Smouse mentioned that you have some new computers at school.
If your father hasn't launched the new computers yet,
How is that?
X remains silent,
So Perry replies,
Dad likes to make donations to certain establishments.
The school is one of them.
Smouse peers up at her expectantly,
Waiting for more.
Perry glances sideways at X wondering whether or not to elaborate.
She coughs nervously before continuing.
It gives him some leverage.
You know,
If he wants a favour or something.
Like when you get into trouble you mean?
Smouse puts the question gently.
Perry blushes and hastens to defend her father.
No,
No,
It's not like that.
He wants to help people.
He's tough,
But her voice trails away.
Despite her outward confidence,
Her rating has shocked her and she's troubled by the notion that her father's company could be the sole source of the power drain and that it could lead to the demise of the Black Enterprises and possibly further ramifications.
There must be other companies too.
X strives to support her.
It's possible Smouse doesn't disagree.
He is sympathetic.
But the 3D luminal probe was pretty accurate.
Out of all the possible locations in the universe,
It pinpointed your place.
Perhaps it would help if we could also compare your father's business with Sam's father's store.
There is a dejected silence as the siblings consider the possible disaster.
Tamari and Sam wisely hold their counsel.
Only Bubbles is unaware of the tension.
Smouse,
The sole focus of her attention.
In the silence,
Smouse confers with Mentor before asking Perry and X if they'd like to ensure that their father's business doesn't literally fade away.
Of course,
They speak as one.
Smouse then asks Tamari and Sam if they're willing to help.
Without hesitation,
They both agree.
As Smouse starts to describe what they must do,
Sam has a moment of insight.
To the belief bewilderment of everyone,
He leaps from his seat and rushes from the room.
When he returns,
He has the new computer,
Which he'd left at the front door,
In his arms.
He places it carefully on the table in front of them.
With all eyes on him,
Waiting for enlightenment,
Sam wavers.
He mumbles an apology and nervously points to the Diablo badge.
His sister encourages him to continue.
What happens if we remove the logo?
The words rush out.
All the logos?
Would it help?
He flops back into his chair as the idea floats around the room.
Smouse and Mentor secretly smile to each other.
Part one is unveiled.
Perry is the first to respond.
Great idea,
Sam!
She reaches across the table and gives Sam a high five.
Let's try it now.
Without further hesitation,
She pulls the computer towards her and attempts to remove the badge.
It is firmly stuck.
X tries to no avail.
Then Mentor does something very strange.
She leans in front of Perry and licks the badge several times before sitting back in her chair.
Smouse stretches forwards and peels the badge away from the computer and drops it on the table.
Five pairs of eyes watch in utter amazement as the badge dissolves and disappears.
It is some time before Smouse is able to finish outlining the rest of the plan.
And you'll have to wait for next time for Chapter 10.
