That’s Me Standing Over There!
Daily prognosis report on Number 6;
8:00
am Shower, shave and prepare breakfast consisting of black coffee, bacon and
eggs, toast and marmalade.
12:30
pm The subject attends the gymnasium for a bout of Judo.
1:00
pm Subject then cools off in the swimming pool.
1:45
pm The subject will go to the café for a ham salad and pot of tea for one.
5:30
pm Subject returns to the General stores to collect his groceries, then returns
to his cottage, where he listens to Jazz music.
However on one particular day Number 6 appeared
to be somewhat ahead of himself, or should that be a little behind? You see it
all began one morning at the General Stores.
‘Ting a ling a ling’
Number 6 entered the General stores, helped
himself to a copy of The Tally Ho from the rack and a packet of curiously
strong peppermints.
The portly shopkeeper was busy serving a
middle aged woman dressed in a blue sweater, slacks, and large floppy hat.
“There you are madam” said the shopkeeper
placing a carton of six eggs on the top of her brown paper carrier bag “would
you help yourself to a mango.”
The woman turned selecting a mango from the fruit display and placed it in her shopping bag.
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“That will be fifty credit units in all”
said the shopkeeper.
The woman smiled rummaging in her handbag
for her Admix card.
“You can pay via your mobile phone if
you prefer madam” offered the shopkeeper.
“I don’t have a mobile phone” the
customer said producing the credit card.
The shopkeeper swiped the card and handed
it back to his customer, who then picked up her brown paper carrier bag and
walked towards the door.
“Be seeing you” saluted the Shopkeeper.
Ting a ling a ling.
“Ah Number Six and what can I do for you
this morning, forgotten something?” asked the shopkeeper.
“No, just the copy of the Tally Ho, a
packet of curiously strong peppermints and here is my grocery order, if you
could have it filled, I’ll drop by and pick it up later” returned Number 6
holding out a white slip of paper.
“Are you trying to be funny?” asked the Shopkeeper.
“Do I look like a comedian? A copy of The
Tally Ho, a packet of curiously strong peppermints and my grocery order if you
please” Number 6 replied.
“Yes I know because I already have your
grocery list, you gave it to me not ten minutes since” returned the shopkeeper,
taking a white slip of paper off a steel spike and handing it to Number Six,
who studied the grocery list comparing it to his own. Both lists contained the
exact same items. The paper was the same, what’s more the hand writing was identical,
it was his handwriting.
“You say I gave this list to you ten minutes ago’.
“That’s right Number Six, when you
purchased your copy of the Tally Ho and packet of curiously strong peppermints.
I say are you alright? Perhaps you simply forgot, I forget things sometimes,
easily done” said the Shopkeeper.
“But I didn’t forget did I, and I can assure
you that I have not set foot in this shop today until a couple of moments ago.
Damn it all I only left my cottage a few moments ago” Number 6 confirmed.
“I don’t know anything about that” said the
shopkeeper “all I know is that at nine thirty-two this morning you walked in
here as large as life, took a copy of The Tally Ho news paper from the rack
just as you
have
done, a packet of curiously strong peppermints from the counter and handed me
that list you now hold in your hand.”
“But I couldn’t have done, what game are
you playing?” barked Number 6, reaching out for the shopkeeper.
“Game,
I’m not playing any game. It’s the trick that you are playing that concerns me.
Now do you want me to make up that order of yours or not?” returned the
shopkeeper, pleased of the counter between himself and his customer.
“You look a bit odd sir, perhaps you
need a check-up” the shopkeeper suggested.
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Number 6 handed over one of the slips of
paper and walked out of the shop.
Ting a ling a ling.
“Oh well he can pay me later!” thought the
shopkeeper.
Stepping outside Number 6 walked right into
a stout elderly woman sitting on her mobility scooter, banging his shin as he
did so.
“Young man would you help me?”
“Why don’t you help yourself!” snapped Number
6 rubbing his shin “and why don’t you learn to drive that thing and park it
where it doesn’t get in people’s way? They’re a damned nuisance. Now get out of
my way!”
Number 6 settled himself down and continued
with his morning stroll around The Village. He couldn’t for the life of him understand
how he could have made such a mistake as that, perhaps he did need a check up.
He made his way down to the Old People’s Home for his daily chess match with
the Admiral. As he approached the lawn he could see the Admiral sat at his
table as normal, busy setting out his chess pieces on the board ready for the
game to come. Then ahead of him another of those infernal mobility scooters,
giving it a wide berth he walked towards the Admiral’s table.
“Don’t tell me you’ve come back for more!”
said the Admiral looking up at him in surprise.
“Sorry?” replied Number 6 as he sat down.
“Not content with crushing me in a heavy
defeat, you return to humiliate me further” returned the Admiral.
“I’m sorry Admiral, I don’t……”
“You weren’t sorry a few minutes ago.
Checkmate in nine moves, not to mention that damned fool’s mate!” the Admiral
sneered.
“Admiral I haven’t played you at chess this
morning, that is why I am here now, shall we begin?” asked Number 6, picking a
white and black pawn.
“Are you trying to make a monkey out of me
lad?” asked the
Admiral.
“We all make mistakes Admiral……”
“I’m not as senile as some around here
would have people believe. You left not five minutes ago and I think this is a
very cruel trick to try and play on someone” returned the Admiral sternly.
Number 6 fell silent, he had obviously
upset the Admiral which was not his intention. But first at the General Store
and now here at the Old People’s Home.
“I’m sorry Admiral. To play such a cruel
trick on you was not my intention nor was it to upset you. It seems that I’m
getting a little forgetful” retorted Number 6.
Just at that moment as the Admiral was
about to forgive him, a waiter dressed in white jacket and black trousers,
white shirt and
black bow tie came walking across the lawn towards the Admiral’s table.
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“Would you like more coffee gentlemen?”
about to clear away the two cups and saucers on the table.
“Haven’t
had any yet” barked Number 6 realizing there WERE two cups on the table “How
long have I been here?” he asked.
The waiter looked at him quizzically.
“About twenty minutes sir, you paid for the
coffee with your credit card, and you walked off. Then I saw you return a few
moments ago, I thought you might like some more coffee” the waiter explained.
“That’s not possible, I came down here this
morning to play chess with the Admiral…….”
“Yes sir as you do each morning and you
were in particular devastating form, even if I say so myself. I take it, no more
coffee?” returned the waiter.
The waiter then paused and turned back to
the table and took something from his pocket.
“I’m sorry sir, but you left your Admix
card behind.”
Number 6 looked at the waiter and searched
his pockets “That’s not my card, I have my card here” he said putting a hand in
the pocket.
“Is this not your card then sir?” asked the
waiter studying the photograph upon it.
“No it is not, I have mine here” returned Number
6 still going through his pockets. His card was not upon his person. He looked
at the waiter and took the offered card and studied it closely.
“No, this can’t be right’ said “Number 6
“this cannot be not my card.”
“Well” said the waiter “I should like you
to tell me whose card it is, seeing that it has your face and number upon it.”
“But it wasn’t ME!”
“Well if it wasn’t you sitting there Number
Six, you must have a double!” said the Admiral.
Number 6 glared at everyone about him, who
stared back in
concern
and confusion. He pushed through the crowd knocking over Number 118 carrying a
paint box and easel on his way.
“And
I won’t be sitting for my portrait either!” barked Number 6.
The painter picked himself up, along with
his paints and easel
“Yes I know, you’ve already told me that”
returned the artist.
Number 6 took hold of Number 118’s arm “When,
when did I tell you that?”
“Just a few minutes ago by the waterfall,
the one by the ornamental pool” retorted the artist.
Number 6 rushed off, leaving Number 118 to
his own bemusement.
Of
course there was no one by the waterfall when he got there. Perhaps he
shouldn’t have expected anyone to be there. If someone was going around
impersonating him he certainly wouldn’t hang around. The question being who and
why? Certainly the game seemed to be afoot, and it occurred to him that there
was only one man who
could be responsible, and if he was expected to play along with the game then they were to be sadly disappointed. Instead of paying Number 2 a sudden visit and wasting his time shouting the odds, Number 6 went instead to the gymnasium, this for his usual bout of Judo.
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“What YOU again!” said Number 29.
“What do you mean again? I’ve only
just got here!”
“I was your Judo opponent, and a few
minutes ago you almost broke my leg!”
“I know who put you up to this and you can
tell him from me that it’s not going to work!”
Number 6 stormed out of the gymnasium leaving the sportsmen standing in total bemusement. As the double doors of the gymnasium closed behind him, Number 6 caught sight of the locker room. He could not resist taking a look just in case his supposed doppelganger was in the shower or something. But there was no one there. He hadn’t really expected there to be, but he had to be sure and would have been, if it had not been for the fact of the still warm, wet towel hanging over the open door of the Number 6 locker. The locker itself was empty, but the towel was undisputable fact.
Number 6 stood at the top of a set of stone
steps looking up at the Green Dome. Crossing the road, a tricycle rider holding
aloft an open umbrella rang his bell ting a ling as he passed by and down the
street. He walked up the street and mounted the steps leading up to the Green Dome.
There standing under its impressive double arched porch he pulled on the black
wrought iron bell pull. From somewhere inside the dome a bell sounded and the
white door opened automatically for him and he walked over the threshold and
into the foyer beyond. He swept passed the housemaid, through the pair of open
French doors with the woman in a black dress and frilly white apron giving
chase. The pair of steel doors sliding open and Number 6 rushed into the purple
walled office. Number 2 was in conference with her assistant Number 14, a tall
young man dressed in a blue piped blazer with dark grey piping and an olive
green polo neck sweater and grey trousers. She sat in her black global chair reading
from a black file open on her lap, when steel doors opened and the housemaid
showed Number 6 into her office.
“Number Six to see you madam” the housemaid announced
“will there be anything else?”
Number 6 marched down the ramp and
approached the curved desk.
Number 2, a slim middle aged woman in a
green roll neck jersey, white slacks wearing a cream cap, looked up from the
open file upon her lap, and at her visitor.
“No I think you have brought me quite enough
for the moment” answered Number 2.
“Very good madam” the housemaid turned, the
steel doors closing behind her.
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“Well Number Six, what have I done to
deserve this unexpected pleasure of your company?” asked Number 2, remaining
calm and closing the file.
“You’re new here” Number 6 said looking at
the woman sitting in the chair.
“I am the new Number 2” she confirmed.
“What happened to the old one, not up to
the job was he?” quipped Number 6.
“I believe he was moved on.”
“Does that always happen?”
“I wouldn’t know, I’m new here” Number 2
replied.
“How do you rate your chances?”
“Pretty good from where I’m sitting” she
said with confidence.
“Time will tell I’m sure” retorted Number
6.
“Was there something specific you wanted,
or are you here simply to waste both our times?” asked Number 2.
“Have you ever had one of those days when
you always seem to be ahead of yourself?” asked Number 6, folding his arms and
sitting on the curve of the desk.
“You mean déjà vu” Number 2 said.
“No not quite like that” he said easing
himself off the desk and now pacing the floor “That is a feeling, a feeling of
having experienced before, something which is actually happening. No what I
mean is when something has actually happened before you have done it. You see
wherever I seem to go in The Village it’s as if I’ve been there only a few
minutes before. It’s like I am running a few minutes fast, or slow, depending
how you look at it.”
“You look tired and you have been under something
of a strain since your arrival here, perhaps you need a check up.”
“Perhaps someone is impersonating you!”
smirked Number 14.
Number 2 shot her assistant a disgruntled
glare then said “A Six impersonator, I wish I had thought of that one!”
“Haven’t you?” returned Number 6.
“Surely you don’t think that I have
anything to do with such a preposterous idea, I mean why should anyone want to
impersonate you, what would they have to gain?”
“You tell me?”
Number 2 turned in her chair towards her
assistant “Have the Observers picked up anything of this kind?”
“No Number 2" answered Number 14 with
great assurance “no Observer has reported anything on the lines suggested by
our friend here.”
“What can I say? If our Observers have not
picked anything up there is nothing I can do. But rest assured Number Six I
shall place this on report. And should anything further untoward occur then you
know where I am” said Number 2.
Number 6 looked at both the new Number 2 and her assistant “Its not going to work you know!” barked Number 6 loudly.
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Numbers 2 and14 said nothing as Number 6
turned and stormed up the ramp and out through the opening steel doors, then to
return to the confines of his cottage.
Number 2 pressed a button upon the control
panel of her desk activating the wall screen.
“Perhaps Number Six, will catch up with himself, that will make for an interesting encounter I should think.”
“Are you sure this is going to work Number
2, it seems all very elaborate, not to mention the risk it entails. Besides, it
has been tried before, twice more in fact.”
“Don’t worry, it will work. We all have to take a chance now and then, even with our friend Number Six, and this is a chance he will not be able to resist taking himself, once he’s over the initial shock that is. He will then strike up a friendship, he won’t be able to stop himself. Then he will confide, and once he has done so there will be an escape attempt by Number Six, to which of course we shall turn a blind surveillance eye. Our subject has been fully indoctrinated, that has been proved this morning while he was out about The Village and any risks are minimal. Besides it’s worth a risk or two isn’t it? And when we’ve pulled this one off, it will be a feather in both our caps” said Number 2, allowing herself a smile, perhaps savouring the victory that is to come.
They watched the wall screen as Number 6
entered his cottage, he had a visitor, who had made himself at home.
“Who the hell do you think you are?”
exclaimed Number 6 finding himself lying upon his leather couch listening to
Bix Beiderbecke playing on his CD player.
“I
could ask you the same question, but it had to be I suppose. At least I know
I’m not going round the twist! ” Number 6 said rising from the couch.
“I’ve caught up with myself at last. ”
retorted Number 6.
“You’re the very spitting image.”
“It’s like looking into a mirror!”
“Why have you been going about the
village impersonating me?”
“Where did they get you?”
“They say we all have a double somewhere.”
“If this is one of Number Two’s little games,
she knows what she can do!”
“I wouldn’t know.”
Both men stood looking the other up and down. They were identical in every way, even dressed alike, a grey blazer with burgundy piping, a burgundy coloured turtle neck sweater, beige trousers and blue deck shoes. Both over six feet, tall and lean with dark hair and green eyes, yet there was only one tiny difference which was hardly noticeable. Number 6 wore a white Penny Farthing badge upon the left lapel of his blazer.
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“At first I thought it a put up job, the shopkeeper,
the Admiral, the
waiter
and the General. I hadn’t banked on someone like you.”
“Nor I you. Why don’t you go away and
bother someone else!” returned Number 6.
“At the gym I couldn’t have been far behind
you, your towel was still wet.”
“Oh I see’ chuckled Number 6 “I’m supposed to be the one going
around
impersonating you! I’m sorry old boy, but haven’t you got it the wrong way
round? It’s you who have been going
around impersonating me!” he barked accusingly.
“Seeing as how I’ve caught up with you, the
game would seem to be up!” quipped Number 6. “And what am I supposed to do now?
Bury my head in the sand and pretend I don’t exist?!”
“I’ve no idea, the least I can do seeing
that you have gone to so much trouble is to offer you a drink” smiled Number 6
moving towards the drinks table.
Number 6 then made his move, lunging at his
doppelganger and grabbing him by the lapels of his blazer and forcing him
against the wall.
“Who
are you?” bellowed Number 6.
“I should be careful if I were you, the
Observers are bound to be recording this on DVD!” quipped Number 6, smiling.
“I shall ask you once more before I wipe
that smug smile off your face. Who are you?’
“I’m you, I mean me” replied Number 6, his
smile gone.
“What
do you mean you’re me, are you a look-a-like or something, or did they use
surgery. They did a fine job, there’s no sign of any scarring” barked Number
6.
“There wouldn’t be. You see I’m more than
that, much more. You could say that I am your brother, but I am even more than
that.”
“Then you would be an impostor, I haven’t
got a brother” barked Number 6.
“Yes I know, and nor am I an impostor. You
see I am you, I am your clone.....I am you, you are me
together!”
The room fell silent as both Number 6’s stared
at each other. Number 6 slowly released his grip and stood back “I bet you
could do with a drink, I know I could” he said pouring out two glasses of
whisky and offering a glass to the other.
Number 6 took the offered glass “How, how
was it done?”
“From the sample of your DNA which you
freely gave during your hospitalisation, remember?” Number 6 said taking a
drink from his glass.
“But
it’s just not possible, there hasn’t been time. You’re nothing like me, not
inside you’re not” barked Number 6 tapping his temple with a finger.
“I assure you that it is possible, I am living proof of that. In appearance we are identical, but I have to agree with you inside we are different I don’t have your temperament for one thing, how could it be otherwise?” smiled Number 6 draining his glass.
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Number 6 did likewise and both glasses were
refilled.
“I had to learn to be you, the way you walk,
and talk, your mannerisms. What you like to eat, what you were, politics and
religion oh no, we have no religion. I watched hours of film of you, listened
to your voice over and over until I was sick of the sound of it! And there was
electrical therapy, memories inserted into my psyche” Number 6 explained
draining his glass a second time.
“You know all about me then?” asked Number
6 draining his own glass.
Number 6 refilled the glasses “There is the
odd gap I have to admit. But on the whole they did a pretty good job, I’m as much
like you as you are like me.”
“I’m nothing like you!” barked Number 6.
“No. For a start I’m more laid back about this than you are. What’s the matter, afraid that I might just take your place?”
Number 6 laughed “If that’s all I’ve got
to be afraid of, you can take my place and welcome to it!”
Number 6 laughed “At least we share something,
a sense of humour.”
They drained their glasses simultaneously
and Number 6 refilled them again.
“You wouldn’t be trying to get me drunk
would you?”
“Now you know as well as I, that this is
non alcoholic whisky, as is the gin and vodka. Cheers.”
“Down the hatch.”
“Number Two is behind this, what game is she
playing?” asked Number 6 putting his glass down.
“Where are you sleeping tonight, I could make
up a spare bed if you like.”
“It’s you who will be sleeping in the spare
bed. What is it that Number Two wants? It must be important seeing that she has
gone to so much trouble.”
Number 6 put his empty glass down and
turned off the record player.
“For you to come to trust me, even to confide in me as I am confiding in you now, remember we are of the same tissue to coin a phrase” Number 6 smiled.
During the days that followed Number 6 at first rejected his cloned self, but couldn’t help watching the way he did things, from making breakfast to filling in The Tally Ho crossword thirty seconds before he did. There were the little annoying things of shared mannerisms, the clicking of fingers, the gentle smacking of lips, pulling on his ear lobe as he was doing now. They had the same taste in music and literature, both equally skilled in both chess and Judo. And when they spoke it as if he was talking to himself, but it was the shared memories that were difficult to come to terms with, him knowing what he knew. Yet strangely Number 6 began to get used to having his cloned self around, yet to the question of trust, that was a long way off!
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Together citizens were pleased to see 6 and
6b. Alone they were never quite sure to whom they were speaking and that put
some a little on edge. Then there were times of trouble, trouble when they were
found taunting The Village Guardian, it being unable to make up its mind which
one of them to bite!
Number 2 sat in her black spherical chair
reading the latest report on the pair of 6’s and couldn’t be more pleased “They
seem to be bonding nicely, friends almost” read Number 2.
“There is still the question of trust Number
Two, that is the one thing that has yet to be put to the test” returned Number
14.
“It will be, and once Number Six has passed
that particular test, he will confide. I take it that all is prepared?”
“Yes Number Two, but should Number Six and
his cloned self ever join forces……”
“That is highly unlikely, Number Six-b is
utterly loyal and devoted, of that there can be no doubt” snapped Number 2.
“Yes, it states much the same in Number Six’s
file!” returned Number 14 sarcastically.
“Just get this right and we will both be
showered in glory” Number 2 smiled.
“Either that or up to our necks in……”
“In what Number Fourteen?”
“Nothing Number Two.”
“Then get out and get on with it. Otherwise
it will be you mopping it up!” snapped Number 2 in annoyance.
Later that afternoon a taxi pulled up in the cobbled square and four security men dressed in grey overalls, white helmets, gloves and boots and wearing dark glasses, each brandishing a white truncheon marched off briskly up the steps and along the path to ‘6 private’. The door opening automatically for them they marched inside, each guard with a fixed look of determination upon his face. Moments later a struggling Number 6 was being manhandled out through the door of his cottage by three of the guards, the fourth leading the way back to the waiting taxi into which Number 6 was then bundled and restrained by two of the security men. Just as the taxi was about to pull away from the square, the tall athletic form of Number 6b came running along the road and leaping aboard the already over loaded Mini Moke taxi, threw one guard to the ground, a second he punched in the chest and face. Number 6 now free of his two restraining guards, hit one and kicked the other out of the taxi and onto the ground. The fight quickly turned into a free for all, and with Number 6 and Number 6b each armed with a truncheon, the four security guards were left lying battered and bruised upon the cobbles of the square.
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From the confines of his Control Room, the
Supervisor-Number 28 had observed the scene which had just taken place in the
square and picked up his mobile telephone “Orange Alert, orange alert, Number’s
6 and Number 6b in the cobbled square.”
Somewhere below the waves the white
membranic mass of the Guardian was released from it containment, floating
upwards, its shape contorted by the water pressure until it burst through the
surface, then to skim swiftly across the waves towards The Village.
Number’s 6 and 6b dusting themselves down as
the security guards lay at their feet, just as the Guardian came rolling and
bounding along the street towards them, emitting its blood curdling roar.
“Looks like were in trouble with the
headmistress” said 6b.
The Guardian stopped just in front of them,
quivering in something of an agitated state but in the end herding both Number 6
and 6b up to the door of the Green Dome, which opened bidding them to enter and
closed behind them.
Standing waiting in the foyer was the
housemaid “If you would step this way please gentlemen.”
Number 6 and 6b looked at each other and
submissively followed the housemaid through the pair of open French doors and
steel doors into Number 2’s office.
“Two gentlemen to see you madam” the
housemaid announced looking both dishevelled men up and down with a look of
disdain “they appear to have taken part in a brawl.”
From the comfort of her chair Number 2
watched as Number 6 and 6b entered her office, the housemaid took leave, the
steel doors closing behind her.
“Now what is all this brawling in the street
indeed, you made a right spectacle of yourselves” began Number 2.
“It’s this synthetic twin of mine” began
Number 6.
“Listen to him! Don’t believe a word he
says. He’s Number Six, a troublemaker alright!”
Number 2 began to wonder if it was worth the trouble ‘they’ had gone to? Having one Number 6 was bad enough, now it appeared she had twice the trouble!
That evening at curfew Number 6 and 6b
watched the maid depart the cottage, chocolate night cap left getting cold in
their cups.
“I think its time we learned to confide in
each other, don’t you?” asked 6b.
“I have nothing to confide to you” returned
Number 6 defiantly.
“But we have become friends if not brothers
and perhaps you trust me just a little” said 6b.
“The Observers will be watching and listening you know.”
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“The lights are out and can see little in
this semi darkness, and if we speak softly” 6b suggested.
In the Control Room one of the Observers
hearing this then switched to infra red, easily picking out the two figures in
‘6 private.’
“Number 2’s plan is for me to gain your trust
and confidence so that you will learn to confide in me” said 6b “but yet here I
am confiding in you, placing my trust in you.”
“What does Number 2 want?” asked Number 6
coldly.
“There is the question of that copied file
on The Village which you have seconded away in some safe place. They want it
back, and Number 2 is determined to retrieve it for them, it would mean a
feather in her cap” 6b said quite openly.
“So where do you come in all of this?”
asked Number 6, looking for the trap.
“I
get you to confide in me the location of the file and an escape is then
arranged.”
“Who’s escape?”
“Why mine of course, the idea being that I
then retrieve the said file and return it to them. Nothing could be more
simple.”
Number 6 had to agree that by any Number 2’s standards it was a cunning plan. But it had one particular flaw, everything hinged upon Number 6 confiding in 6b. So perhaps with a gentle tweak of the plan could turn it to his own advantage, but then to do so would mean placing his absolute trust in 6b. He would play along with Number 2. 6b would be given certain information and allowed to escape as planned, later to return to The Village with a rescue team. All 6b would need would be the contact names back in London and the location coordinates for the Village.
Observations over the next couple of days
made by Number’s 6 and 6b, showed that at
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Meanwhile 6b was slowly descending the stone steps by the waterfall and at the bottom kept surveillance on both the helicopter and the Guardian, but out of sight and at a safe distance. Number 6 finished his coffee and paid the waiter the 6 credit units and slowly stood up and walked away in the direction of the waiting Alouette helicopter. While in the Control Room a very confident Number 2, now wearing an old school scarf and carrying a furled umbrella shooting stick stood watching the large wall screen along with the supervisor and Number 14. Strict instructions had been given by the Supervisor to all posts, that what ever may happen, no action was to be taken by anyone. On the screen Number 6 approached the helicopter via the open air swimming pool, but at a distance of ten feet the Guardian came rolling between the waiting helicopter and Number 6, who tried to move out of its path, first to the left and then to the right. The Guardian was becoming more and more agitated. Number 6 who didn’t want to incur its wrath turned and fled down the slipway and onto the beach with the Guardian close on his heels. 6b then made his move. Dashing from the cover of the undergrowth, he ran across the lawn and with a single bound landed upon the helicopter’s starboard float, opened the cabin door and climbed aboard. Number 6 had given himself up to the Guardian, but after a few moments study of the controls 6b flicked a couple of switches and pressed the starter button. The engine of the helicopter roared into life and the rotor blades began to turn. At this the Guardian forgot about its prey and rolled back along the beach and up the slipway to the lawn, emitting that blood curdling roar as it went, but too late. The rotor blades were spinning ever faster until 6b pulled on the joy stick with another hand on the yaw stick and feet on pedals, and the helicopter lifted off the lawn over the sea wall and away out across the estuary gaining height all the time as it headed for the mountains. Number 6 stood alone on the beach watching until the helicopter was clearly out of sight. Now all he could do was bide his time, until his rescuers turned up via sea or air.
Number 2’s mobile phone
rang its musical ringtone, the illuminated screen indicated that it was her
superior calling.
“Number Two here……. yes sir Six-b is now on
his way……… No sir just as you planned…… I would say if there are no hold ups
Six-b should return here in three perhaps four days sir….. well thank you sir I
will” at that the phone went dead and Number 2 departed the Control Room for
that of her office.
The steel doors closed behind her the
supervisor looked at number 14, both rolling their eyes and shaking their heads.
“Number 2 looks like she’s the cat
who’s got at the cream!” 14 remarked sarcastically.
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“There’s many a slip twixt cup and lip”
said the Supervisor “I’ve seen many a better Number Two than her brought to heel
by Number Six.”
Number 14 was about to further his comment,
but glancing up at the stainless steel electronic eye which orbited the Control
Room suspended from the ceiling, he thought better of it.
Then
one morning……………….
The door to ‘6 private’ opened and a contrite
Number 2 entered, wearing a dark blue two piece business suit, carrying a black
attaché case.
“I thought I would drop by and say
goodbye.”
“You going somewhere?
“After this latest fiasco I shouldn’t think
so, I’m not exactly flavour of the day” returned Number 2 regretfully.
“Fiasco, what fiasco?”
“Oh of course you haven’t heard have you”
and a wry smile came over her lips.
“Heard, heard what?”
“Well
at least there is one saving grace for me. you still here and for you, well you
have need to continue with your daily climb of the bell tower. We have both
been betrayed Number Six you and I together.”
“Betrayed?” was Number 6’s only stunned
reply.
“Five days Number Six, too long for the
both of us. My plan was to have you confide in Six-b, for him to escape,
retrieve that copy of The Village file and to return here with it. Your plan on
the other hand was to confide and entrust certain information to Six-b, for him
to make certain contacts in London and for him to return here with a rescue
party, perhaps with the idea of blowing this place back to hell. Two masterly plans
wouldn’t you agree Number Six?”
Number 6 had to agree “So what’s gone
wrong?”
“Six-b appears to have had a plan all his own, which was to go along with both of us and play us both for fools, resulting in an escape plan all his own. Six-b will not be returning to The Village for the present. So far he has managed to elude all capture, but they will find him eventually, wherever he is and then he will be returned, only not this week. But you will still be here to welcome him when he does, sadly I shall not. You simply can’t trust anyone these days, can you Number Six?” smirked Number 2 turning towards the door.
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“I once asked how you rated your chances, I
believe your words were, “pretty good” from where you were sitting. Tell me,
how do you rate your chances now?” grinned Number 6.
“Let’s face it Number Six, we both failed. However I am free to leave no matter the circumstances, whilst you remain a prisoner!’
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