Ward and Eunice have finished studying the newspaper. They're deep in thought.... "It's not much to go on, Ward. This article about the Red Sign Menace is obviously about something that happened a while ago. It's not front page news, and it leaves a lot out-assumes that everyone knows what they mean." Eunice taps the paper against her knee. "Well, let's review. People who had red signs were a danger, and it says some are still out there. That part's clear." Ward puffs on his pipe. "We know that the man who offered us help from the government was a Communist-remember how proudly he pulled out that card?" "Very true, Dear. And what we've observed with out own eyes since coming to town....all kinds of crazy rules and regulations." Eunice smiles at Ward. "Still upset that they wouldn't let you smoke?" Ward's face flickers in an answering smile, but his voice is serious. "That's always how it starts. Take away the small freedoms first, step by step. Now, this inflation-look at the prices!" He points to the advertising circular. "Looks like that ice cream shop wasn't an aberration." "Ward, think! You know what the date is as well as I do! Now, our families left to begin the Vault in the 1950's. It's 204X. It'd be like someone from 1860 coming to the 50's, and expecting to pay a couple of dollars a month for room and board!" She leans over and pats his hand. "All right, you've got a point. Still." He ticks off on his fingers. "Let's review. Known communists representing the government.Check. A Red Sign Menace. Check. And it said the red signs could be anything, but were always something a body wore." Eunice props her head in her white gloved hands. "But there are still newspapers, and elections-why, Xyon even has a Mayor Dean, just like when folks left for the Vault!" "Communist countries have papers, too. Full of propaganda." Ward harrumphs. Eunice shakes her head, decisively. "Dear....I think this is still in progress. Communists are infiltrating, worming their way in-but they don't have complete control. And we haven't grown used to it creeping around us like the folks here-we're seeing all this with fresh eyes." Ward takes a deep breath, then smiles. "I think you've got it. Always knew I married the smartest girl in the vault." "Oh, you." She dimples."And it says when people destroy the red signs, they lose their power. Could they be a recognition signal? And when an agent is revealed as a red, they aren't a menace anymore?" It's Ward's turn to shake his head. "It's not that simple. I think...the red signs are planted on folks by the commies. They make them act crazy. Look-it said some fella turned everything he could into kumquats before he was stopped." "Ooh, that's right! Boy, do I feel sheepish!" Eunice isn't about to admit she was distracted by the fashion page. "But that means..." She wrinkles her brow. "Causing chaos is a good way to destabilize things, give them an opening. Heaven knows they don't have the might to invade! So, a Russian mad is involved. Ward, the Red Sign Menace is a communist plot!" Ward gives her a one armed hug. "Bingo. We've spent enough time in the park. Today, I find work, we find a home. You cozy up to the neighborhood wives-have 'em over for a hen session, join the pta, trade cookie recipes. I'll stop for a martini on my way home, and keep my ears open at the bar. I'll meet the men, we'll throw a barbeque, maybe play a little poker." "Not until we get a handle on this crazy inflation! Besides, I'm better at cards than you and you know it." Eunice adjusts his hat. "Oh, dear-heaven knows what Jimmy will be taught in school!" "He'll have us to steer him right. Hey, maybe you can join the bridge club! All the while, we look for folks acting weird, and blast any red they have on." Ward loosens the Mark IV in it's holster. Eunice nods. "For a start. But once we're established...." She taps his arm playfully. "There's an election coming up. I think Xyon needs a new mayor." Ward's eyes widen. "Saay, there's an idea! We'll save this city yet. Mister Mayor, I like the sound of that...." "Hmmf. I thought I was the smart one-you said it yourself." "Now, dear, be sensible...." Ward and Eunice collect a reluctant little Jimmy from the swings. Eunice uses her Hypno-Glasses on a few suspicious passersby. Most are just bidden to forget talking to her, but when she finds an honest to gosh mugger, she takes his wallet and valuables for a stake first. She turns a small, beeping device over in her hands gingerly. "Tell me what this mad device does." "Wha? Lady, it's a phone." "Ward, what luck-a piece of Mad tech allready! You-" her glasses flash at the hapless would be bad guy-"Tell me more." Step one in Operation: Retake Xyon has begun...
_________________ .. not how Science works, love. 1st, you build the machine, then it tells you what it's for. Do you think I had the 1st idea what a squidhole was when I invented it? Certainly not! I was just messing about! That's when the very best & very Maddest Science gets done. I thought,Why, this alabaster octopus looks like it wants a nice transmission inside it,& fairly soon I had a thing that obviously had a Use, though what that Use could be was a total mystery. (Sameness Engine) I haven't the 1st notion of what it's for! That's not why I made it-I made it for the sheer joy of making something new! It's getting up to tell me what it wants me to do, though, I can just feel it. It's been giggling a lot at night. The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland C Valente
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