Be Enlightened Bebang, Abandon No Gale

Bebang(8) - Frivollian Copper

Jess had convinced Max not to go worrying about what Jack had said, and for the rest of the week there were no reported uprisings and revolts from the Outside Lane.

Max wished he could forget what Jack had said as easily, but he couldn't. He started having nightmares. Over and over again he dreamed about Bernardina, withdrawing the grip of her hands, disappearing in his sight, while hearing her last words.

''You really love her if she can drive you mad,'' said Jess, when Max told her about these dreams.

Holidays were about to start. While the Consolidates Building woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow. The windows froze solid, piles of snow blocking the mainroad made it unrecognizable and Jack was engaged in sending his emails to his father and his mother.

''You know,'' said Jack Huffingchat, after sending the word that he would spend his holiday in the Fensive Route, ''I do feel compassionate for you Max for having to stay here at Consolidates alone for holidays. You can go with me to Fensive Route.''

He was looking over at Max as he spoke. Fifth laughed, ''Yeah, could still remember the last time Jack invited us in his house,'' swinging his chair back and forth, ''well, a little bit of Scotch broth three times a week won't hurt, Max.''

It was true that Max wasn't going anywhere for a two week holiday. He didn't feel sorry for himself at all, for growing up familyless when he left their house and going back just to found out that their house was burned; this would probably the best Christmas he would ever had. All the memories back in his childhood; cruel and strict punishment from his dad and the cold treatment from his mom, was burned along with all the history of their ancestry. The only thing left in the memory of his family is the pendant CIC Edwards gave him. Jess is staying too, as usual grew up an orphan, would spend her holidays again at the Huffingchats. Fifth says he will go but he cannot stay long at the Huffingchats, says he would spend the rest of his holidays with his family.

''How do we get to Fensive Route, anyway?'' he said.

''Easy, '' answered Jess. She pulled the car key out of her pocket.

''So you have a car?—''

''—when are the scholars allowed to have a car?'' said Max, flabbergasted.

''Told you Jess, Max would be devastated he doesn't know anything brilliant.'' Retorted Jack.

''There's an underground platform, starts operating only on exact 12:00 in the midnight and stops at 5:00 am, we just have to take the train, it will lead us to the McFartney's wallmart parking lot'', Jess raised the car key, toying, ''Jaguar XK510, black-yellow polkadot, and it's waiting there, parked.''

''Platform—- what— jeepers— you are mad, Jess—''

 The platform's existence is fictitious—- and—- If there's really one—- the security system of the Institute had already detected its existence—- terminated it as easy as stomping off your heel to kill a fire in your cigar.'' Max glanced at the cigarette she was holding.

''Fictitious. You talk rubbish, Max. Look at these paperbags, will you?'' Jess handed him the two brown paperbags, ''M.P Hypermarket, located along the Candid  Drive, where goods are sold fresh!''

''Jeeepers—- Jessss—- Can't be a dull wit as you are—- We have Livraison Cargo Mgt. Of course, you paid for that! Good heavens—- foolish—- very foolish of you—-''

''Do you really think we would spend a dime delivery only for these chips? Dull wit you are, Max! Pack up your things and shut your mouth. We are going to leave tonight, I will see to it you are to be dumbfounded,''