September turned rainy and cold. Everyone who could do so brought their activities inside and all were hoping for a long Indian Summer so that interrupted outdoor projects could be finished before winter set in for good.
Some years Indian Summer came to the Pacific Northwest, giving pleasant fall weather deep into November. Other years it just started raining as early as August and didn’t stop, seemingly, until the following summer.
During that summer, Ashley’s work shift in the Children’s Program had consisted of helping another member with a roomful of bouncing six, seven, and eight-year-olds. Now that summer was over, two classes had been combined, and they usually had just a tiny group of kids who ranged all the way from babies to eight years of age. Some days there were as few as three or four young people present, and on those days Ashley and the other member would divide up the shift, the other making herself useful elsewhere.
On one particular Thursday in the latter half of September, Ashley was cleaning and organizing the supply cabinet in the classroom while the other member took the group of four children to the Planetarium Theater. The sound of her pager brought her head out of a box full of toys. She hurried over to where her purse sat on a shelf and pulled the little device out.
“Hi. This is Ashley.”
“Ashley, this is Helen. You have a phone call. It’s not video. Want to take it on your pager?”
“For me? Sure!” She waited while Helen made the connection.
“Hi Ashley!” a familiar voice said.
“Tim! Did you get the cookies I sent?”
“Yep! Some of them broke in the mail, but they were delicious! Thanks!”
“I don’t get into cooking very often, but you’ll get half whenever I do!”
“Hey, I just found out my dance company will be in Seattle this weekend for a dance competition! We were a stand-by, but then some other company chickened out and so we get to go! Any chance you could meet me there? I have a grandmother there I can say I’m staying with, but she doesn’t care what I do.”
Ashley was speechless with excitement, a number of fantasies running through her mind.
“Are you there?” he asked after a moment.
“Yeah! I’m just... dancing on my toes! If there is any way in the world for me to get there, I will. Give me the address... uh huh... okay... got it. Three o’clock on Saturday.”
“I have to go — I’m on a pay phone at the dance studio, and there are two people waiting to use it. I hope you can come!”
“I’ll try my hardest!”
“I love you!”
“I love you too, Tim! Bye!
Ashley stood there for a minute, lost in thought, a smile on her face. Then she realized the contents of the supply cabinet was still spread out all over the room. First things first, Ashley.
She hurried, and by 11:45 had the cabinet in shape, just in time for the children to return from the Planetarium. Two kids were picked up by their parents, and a new one arrived. Ashley and the other member greeted the afternoon staff and introduced them to the kids.
As soon as the clock display changed to exactly 12:00, Ashley dashed to the office, glad her chore was after lunch that day.
“How do I request a little time off to go see a friend?”
“I’ll show you,” Helen said. “That must be a special young man!”
“Yeah. He’s really sweet. He’s going to be dancing in Seattle on Saturday.”
“Well, let’s take a look at your schedule. The most important thing is to cover your responsibilities.”
Ashley sat down at a computer and displayed her schedule for that weekend.
“Well, Ashley, unless you want to stay late on Sunday, you don’t have any responsibilities to cover. And there’s a train that’ll get you back here by the time your kitchen shift starts.”
“Wow! You mean, I can just go?”
“Sure you can. Do you have the funds? I’d be glad to lend you some...”
“Thanks, but I have enough from tips I’ve been making.”
“Okay. All you have to do is mark all that time as Off-Campus/Personal Business, and no one will accidentally schedule you for something else. See how easy?”
“Yeah!” she said, grinning from ear to ear.
“But there is one more thing you can do that might save you some money.
If you wouldn’t mind doing some shopping or other chore along the way, you can put your schedule on the list you’ll get by pressing function key seven...”
Ashley pressed the indicated key.
“...and then if someone needs something done, you’ll get your transportation costs paid for one way, sometimes both ways.”
“But I can’t carry much...” Ashley said as she filled in her plans on the list.
“Everyone will know that when you put ‘bus’ or ‘train’ or whatever in the column labeled Mode.”
“It’s worth a try, I guess. Is that all I have to do?”
“Yep. Except make your plans and go see your friend!”
“Thanks,
Helen!”
“You’re welcome. I was young and in love once, too, you know!”
Ashley
blushed.
For the next day and a half, Ashley made her plans when she didn’t have classes or coaching work, and sometimes even found herself thinking about Tim at odd moments in the gym. She would take the early van Saturday morning to Portland. A high-speed commuter train would leave Portland at eleven o’clock, and she planned to be on it. That would give her two hours to figure out Seattle and get to the Coliseum. Another train would bring her back to Portland on Sunday, and she could get the three o’clock van to
Lyceum. Everything would be perfect. She was excited.
As her Interpretive Dance class was wrapping up on Friday evening, Ashley was wondering if she was going to be able to sleep that night. Maybe she would take Liberty’s advice and go for a dip in the hot pool. But not until she stopped by the Healing Arts Clinic to talk to someone about... protection.
She was just finishing getting dressed in the locker room when her pager sounded.
“Ashley, this is Brother Timoteo. I have to leave for New York in a few minutes, and I need a courier to take some U.N. documents to Seattle and I noticed you were going that way. Are you willing to go a little early?”
“Um, sure, I guess so...”
“Please meet me in the office.”
He sounded like he was in a hurry, so she hurried. She couldn’t remember seeing him on the campus since evaluation week. A minute later she stepped into the Main Office. Only two people were there, Brother Timoteo and a late middle-aged golden-haired lady whose name Ashley couldn’t remember.
“Ashley, I’ve heard you’re good on missions that require quick action. Can you also memorize some basic information?”
“Um... yes. Everyone tells me I have a good memory.”
“Good. Have a seat. This is a United Nations courier mission. You have the proper clearance, and you will be under the auspices of the Secretary General. Unlike your previous missions, which were educational or effected only one person, this mission potentially effects seventeen million people.
Not fulfilling this mission properly could have adverse effects for those seventeen million people. Are you okay so far?”
All thought about saving a few dollars on her train fare was gone from Ashley’s mind. She focused on Brother Timoteo’s words, just like she could focus on a gymnastics routine she was about to execute. “Yes.”
“This microfiche has serial number 14437.46,” he said, holding it up to the light. “I am now copying that number onto your mission document. Please verify it.”
Ashley looked at both. “Okay.”
“The microfiche fits into this courier bracelet. As you can see, the bracelet has the U.N. symbol engraved on it, and another serial number. I am also
copying that number to the mission document.”
Ashley verified the second number.
“Any misuse of this bracelet is a violation of International Law. Once placed on your arm, two codes are required to remove it. One will be your code. The other is known only to your contact in Seattle. His name is Andrei Kan. He will meet you at 300 Jackson Street at six a.m. tomorrow morning.
It’s right near the train station — easy to find. You may NOT write down that name and address or tell them to anyone not involved in this mission. Are you able to remember them?”
Ashley took a deep breath. “Andrei Kan. 300 Jackson Street, Seattle. Six a.m. Saturday.”
“Good. He will have a United Nations Diplomatic I.D. Check it before entering your release code. Name and address?”
“Andrei Kan. 300 Jackson Street. But how will I get there?”
“Sister Ruth will take care of all those details. I have to run. Do you accept this mission of your own free will?”
Ashley couldn’t think of any reason not to. “Yes.”
“Sign the mission document, and enter your code into the bracelet.”
Ashley signed. Her hand was shaking a little. Then she tapped her favorite number into the tiny keypad on the bracelet. Brother Timoteo placed it on her left wrist, and clicked it closed.
“Name and address?” he said one last time.
“Andrei Kan, 300 Jackson Street.”
“Good. I’m out of here. Take care kid.” He kissed her on the forehead and dashed out the door.
Ashley looked at the courier bracelet, hoping she hadn’t just made a big mistake.
“He
was in a hurry,” Sister Ruth said, “but he wanted to be sure he could trust you to pull through. Now we can do the rest in a more relaxed fashion.
Do you have any other responsibilities this evening?”
“I just need to stop by the Clinic.”
“Do that before they close. Remember, that name and address is between you, me, Brother Timoteo, and your Seattle contact.”
“Andrei Kan, 300 Jackson Street,” she said, smiled, and headed out the
door.
“Hi, Ashley!” Brenda said as soon as she stepped into the Clinic. “Hey, I like the jewelry! Making some use of that U.N. clearance of yours?”
Ashley looked at her arm, and realized the courier bracelet stuck out like a sore thumb.
“What can I help you with?”
“I’m going to be meeting Tim in Seattle, and... this is kind of embarrassing...”
“And you’re not quite ready to start your family yet?”
“Um...
yeah.”
“I can relate. Wait here.”
Brenda returned a minute later with a plastic strip of four pills. “Take one of these before intercourse. Each one’s good for twelve hours.”
“Thanks, Brenda. I’m not even sure anything will happen...”
“This way you’re prepared.”
“Uh huh. Thanks!”
“Okay,” Sister Ruth said when Ashley returned. “Name and address?”
“Um... Andrei Kan, 300... Jackson Street.”
“Now you’re starting to transfer it to long-term memory! Here’s a debit card and two hundred cash. You can use the card for both bus and train. The cash will get you meals and help with any emergencies. Bring back what you don’t need, of course. I will take you to Portland at one o’clock. That’s only four hours from now. Your bus leaves at 1:30, and it’s a local that stops at every little town, and gets you to Seattle at 5:30. Then all you have to do is walk these three blocks.”
Ashley followed Sister Ruth’s finger on the map.
“After meeting your contact, you’re free. You can keep to your original schedule on your return trip if it still fits your plans.”
“What if the bus breaks down, and I’m late?”
“Call me, and we’ll arrange an alternate time and place for the contact if possible. Now, I realize this will be your first mission in unfamiliar territory with no other members around. Some points to remember. Take only your
Lyceum I.D. book and your new state I.D. card, the one with Lyceum’s address on it. Don’t have any old I.D. with you. Lyceum is in a much better position to assist you in any tight spot than your parents back in South Dakota. In an emergency, contact us if possible. If not possible, or you need immediate assistance, tell any law enforcement officer that you are an agent of the United Nations. By law they have to help you in every possible way. But be patient with them, as it isn’t something they’re used to, and they’ll probably have to get instructions from higher up. Questions?”
“Aren’t there non-resident members in Seattle, like the ones that gave Shawn rides across the country?”
“Yes. And in several towns along the way. You’re just minutes away from any help you need, and all of Lyceum’s resources, which are far greater than you yet know about, can be brought to bear on any problem you can’t solve yourself. Lyceum will never leave you stranded, but we expect you to first use your own brains and the resources you have with you to try and solve any problem that arises.”
“I
understand.”
“Wear long sleeves while you have the courier bracelet on. Travel as lightly as you can. Avoid dangers and delays. Don’t be flashy with your money or debit card.”
“That all makes sense.”
“Good. Name and address?”
“Andy, no Andrei... Kan. 300 Jackson Street.”
“Very good. Now go get some sleep. Meet me in the Dining Hall at 12:45.”
Ashley never knew whether the microfiche contained real United Nations documents, important to seventeen million people, or whether she was just being tested and trained. The question entered her mind, but she was pretty sure there was no way she could obtain an answer.
Ashley, with her heavy coat over one arm and her little travel pack on her back, staggered into the empty and dimly lit Dining Hall at the agreed upon time. She found Sister Ruth in the kitchen sipping a cup of tea.
“Coffee or tea?” the older member offered.
“Juice wakes me up better,” Ashley said, getting out a small carton.
“Feel free to take some extras, and some other snacks too. There’s nothing but pop and chip machines along your route at this hour.”
Ashley stuffed two more cartons of juice and some carrots into her pack.
“Debit card, cash, proper I.D.?” Sister Ruth inquired.
“Yep.”
“Name and address?”
Ashley had to think. “Um... Andrei... Kan. 300... um... Jackson Street.”
“Very good! If you held onto that information this long, you’ll have no problem. Ready?”
Ashley yawned. “Yeah. For a nap!”
Sister Ruth laughed.
They arrived at the bus station in downtown Portland with plenty of time for Ashley to purchase her ticket for the early morning local bus to Seattle.
She shook hands with Sister Ruth, boarded, and found a seat. Soon the bus took her across the Columbia River and into a state that Ashley had seen many times from the train windows, but it had always lain just out of reach on the far side of the river. Now, for the first time, she could add the state of Washington to her list of travel accomplishments.
Vancouver, Orchards, Battle Ground. People came and went, but mostly they came. Everyone seemed to be going to Seattle. The bus filled quickly.
Woodland, Kalama, Longview, Kelso. The bus’s heater seemed to be working overtime, and the air was getting hot and stale. People were standing in the aisles, trying to stay awake. Ashley was very glad she was by a window.
It wouldn’t open, but its surface provided a tiny bit of coolness.
Castle
Rock.
“Folks, we need everyone to step off the bus for fifteen minutes. We have a repairman who will be installing a new heater control. You can leave non-valuable belongings on your seats. Free can of pop inside the station for everyone with our apologies.”
A noise of approval ran through the passengers. Ashley would pass on the can of pop, but was glad for the opportunity to breathe fresh, cool air and stretch her legs. She left her coat on her seat.
As soon as she stepped off the bus, pack over one shoulder, she looked
around. They appeared to be on the main street of the town, which as far as she could see ran about two blocks in each direction. With the exception of the activity at the bus station, nothing appeared to be open. She figured she could explore the entire town in ten minutes flat. She pulled a carrot out of her pack and strode off down the sidewalk.
Ashley had walked to the end of town, crossed the street, and was just beginning to head back toward the bus station when she was suddenly surrounded by an intensely bright light. She tried to see where it was coming from, but the light was blinding her. She held her arm over her eyes, and could hear a car idling behind the lights. She heard the door open and close.
“What do you want?” she said.
“It’s a little late to be wandering around, isn’t it, little girl?” a husky male voice said.
“I’m not wandering around. I’m stretching my legs while the bus is being fixed.”
A late middle-aged policeman stepped into view. “I don’t believe you.”
Ashley didn’t feeling like arguing. She remained silent.
“How old are you?”
“Twelve. Almost thirteen.”
“Again I don’t believe you. I think you’re a run-away. Ten or eleven, looks to me.”
“I
am
not a run-away.”
“Why don’t you get in the car and we’ll find out at the station.”
“But I’ll miss my bus!”
“You should have thought of that before running away. Get in.”
Breathe deeply, Ashley. You can’t do anything else here. He’s not going to believe anything you say.
She slid into the back seat when he opened the door for her. He drove slowly to the little police station, and escorted her in with a controlling arm behind her. Ashley didn’t like being treated like that, but she sensed it wasn’t yet the right time to correct the situation. There was another fairly old policeman in the station with his feet up on his desk reading a magazine. He took his feet down when she entered.
“Well, what do we have here, Sergeant?”
“I think we have ourselves a run-away here, Lieutenant.”
The lieutenant looked at Ashley. She returned his look with a steady gaze.
She was at that moment using the same deep, slow breathing she used to relax during her long hours in the gym.
“Why don’t you have a seat, young lady.”
It wasn’t a question. Ashley sat down in one of the chairs in front of his desk.
“Sergeant Brown thinks you’re a run-away. What do you say to that?”
“The same thing I told him. I am not one,” she said with a calmness that was surprising even to herself.
“I don’t suppose you have any I.D. on you.” he said. It wasn’t a question.
But it needed an answer anyway.
“Yes I do.”
“You do. May I see it, please?”
Ashley calmly opened her pack and brought out her purse. The calmness was on the outside. Inside she was shaking. But that was where the shaking should stay, she told herself. She brought her Lyceum I.D. book and her state I.D. card out and handed them to the lieutenant. She could see the sergeant leaning against a filing cabinet sipping a cup of coffee and watching.
“What do we have here,” he said, looking at the I.D. card first. “You’re almost thirteen, Ashley.”
She decided not to say anything. If she had, it might not have been nice.
He had gleaned all the information he could from the card, and was now looking at the book. He turned the pages slowly, then returned to the first page. He read to himself for what seemed like several minutes, a frown slowly developing on his face.
“Are you actually on a mission for the United Nations, Ms. Riddle?”
“Yes I am,” she said, and pulled up her left sleeve.
Both men could clearly see the courier bracelet. Both came closer to get a better look. They could tell it was no toy. The engraved symbol of the United Nations shown clearly against the dark vanadium-steel alloy.
“I’ve seen one of these before, at the Police Academy. Can you take it off?”
“No. It requires two release codes. I only know one of them, and I will only tap it in when I meet my contact and have checked his I.D.”
The police lieutenant looked as his partner. “She’s right, John. That’s how they work. We have a problem.” He walked back around to his side of the desk and picked up her I.D. book again, then read from it aloud.
“WARNING: Any unnecessary interference with this Lyceum member, while on any mission for the United Nations, is a violation of International Law. Any law enforcement officer is required by International Law to render all possible assistance to this Lyceum member while on any mission for the United Nations.”
“Is that for real?” the sergeant asked.
“I’m afraid so. I remember it from my refresher course a couple of years back. Ms. Riddle, our sincere apologies. The sergeant and I both got our training before the Freedom of Movement and Association Act was passed, about when you were born, and before then, any kid out in the wrong place or at an unusual hour was assumed to be a run-away.”
“I understand,” she said, out of politeness.
“What can we do to make amends?” he said, handing her I.D. book and card back.
“Take me back to the bus station?” she said, hoping she wasn’t asking too much.
“Let me see if we’re in time.” He picked up his telephone and punched in a number. “Yeah, this is Lieutenant Barclay. Has that local left yet?... Five minutes ago. When does it get to Chehalis?... Thanks.”
He set down the handset and turned to his partner. “John, you get to pull our hind ends out of the fire. You get to give Ms. Riddle a ride to the Chehalis bus station, and you need to get her there by the time the bus gets there at 3:15. Can do?”
He sighed. “Can do.”
“Is there anything else I can do, Ms. Riddle? Buy you a coke, anything?”
“No. I’m fine.” And saying that, she pulled her carrot out of her pocket and took a bite.
Ashley sat in the front passenger seat of the police car this time. Sergeant Brown was proud to show her how fast his car could go, and told her all about its engine specifications. She smiled in return. Within ten minutes they
passed her bus on the Interstate highway, but he obviously wanted to get her to the next station with plenty of time to spare. When they entered the outskirts of Chehalis, Washington, he finally expressed his concern.
“I hope you won’t say anything about what happened to any government people. We’re both real sorry.”
“I won’t tell anyone. Maybe... you could treat young people with a little more respect next time?”
“I certainly will. I could have peeked at your I.D. card right there, and seeing that you were twelve, let you go on your way.”
“Thank you. I and other young people will appreciate that. And next time I’m up this way on a courier mission, maybe I’ll have a little more time, and you guys can buy me that coke.”
“Feel free to stop by any time. Here’s your bus station. By my clock, she’ll be here in four minutes.”
“Thank you for the ride,” Ashley said getting out.
The next problem Ashley had to solve was finding her coat. As soon as the bus pulled in, she stood nearby, waiting for people to get off so she could ask the driver about it. Many people were getting off, and most of them were getting into another bus idling nearby. It also said Seattle on its destination display, and she guessed they had finally added another bus to the run.
Suddenly she had a shock. The last person to get off the bus, a scuzzy looking man, had her coat under his arm . Easy, Ashley. He might be taking it to Lost and Found. Probably not, but it’s possible.
She stepped right up to him with a smile and spoke in a loud voice.
“Thank you for finding my coat! It’s got my name on the tag inside! I’ll show you I.D. if you’d like!”
His eyes shifted this way and that. He noticed that several people had heard the little brat and were looking that way. He dropped the coat and ran off into the darkness.
Ashley breathed a sigh and picked up her coat. She boarded the bus that had been added to the run, found an empty window seat, and curled up under her coat with her little pack at her feet. The bus’s heater was working properly, and she slept the entire remainder of the trip.
Dawn light in the sky woke Ashley as the bus approached Seattle. She sat up and looked around. Looking eastward she could see the tall, snow-capped volcano called Mount Rainier, its head swirled in clouds. Below it streets and houses and other buildings filled a broad valley. Soon the view in that direction was blocked by low hills, so she looked across the bus westward.
She could see an airport, an industrial area, and a harbor. Her map identified the harbor as Elliot Bay.
A minute later the bus left the Interstate and approached a huge stadium, then turned northward again and passed near the train station. Ashley took mental notes. Two more blocks brought them to the modern-looking bus station. She felt the courier bracelet under her blouse sleeve while waiting for the initial rush of people to get off the bus. She could see a clock that said 5:23, and knew she had plenty of time.
Andrei... Kan. 300 John... Jackson Street.
The streets were wet from an earlier rain, but the clouds had broken up and promised at least intermittent sunshine. It was pleasantly cool. Ashley slipped her coat on, shouldered her pack, and looked at her map. Two blocks back, and a block toward the water. She set off at a leisurely pace.
When she came to Jackson Street, she gazed across at the beautiful old train station. She was tempted to cross the street and explore it, but it didn’t seem like she had quite enough time... and she knew she would be seeing it on Sunday anyway. That thought brought her a twinge of sadness. Even though she loved Tim very much, and they might be able to share some very special time that day or the next, their lives had not yet come together in one place.
She didn’t know if they ever would. She turned and headed down the street.
Three hundred Jackson Street was a very nice hotel. No one appeared to be waiting outside. She entered the lobby. The clock said seven minutes before six. She strolled around, pretending to look at paintings and other interesting things, but mostly she wanted to see who was there, and who might be her contact.
A man was at a pay phone. Another was reading a newspaper in the lounge. Two men were hanging around near the restaurant entrance. Yet another man came out of the restaurant and stood looking through the glass
front door. Finally she spotted one more, looking over a rack of postcards. All of them were dressed very nicely. It was three minutes until six.
During the next two minutes, several of the faces in the room changed, but she was left with just as many choices. The one she had thought most likely, the one gazing through the front door, had greeted a lady and disappeared into the restaurant. It was 5:59.
Ashley wondered who she should approach first, and wished she had discussed this possibility with Brother Timoteo or Sister Ruth. But first you have to use your own brain... she could hear Sister Ruth saying. The clock said 6:01. She decided to try the man looking at the paperbacks. She walked in that direction.
Just then a man stepped out of the elevator and strode to the front desk.
“I’m Andrei Kan. Any messages for me?” he said in a voice that could be heard anywhere in the lobby.
The clerk checked his computer. “No, Mr. Kan.”
As soon as the middle-aged man with dark brown hair turned around, Ashley was standing right there. “Mr. Kan?”
“Yes?”
“I’m Sister Ashley. May I buy you breakfast?”
He looked her up and down. “I wasn’t expecting someone so... small.”
“I wasn’t expecting someone two minutes late,” she said, then added a smile.
He quickly realized that even though the person in front of him was short, he was not speaking to a child. “Did you say breakfast? Excellent idea!”
They found a table not too near other people. Ashley ordered a fruit and cottage cheese salad. She was relieved when Mr. Kan ordered only one breakfast. Then she pulled out her I.D. book and handed it too him. She had not been told that doing so was necessary, but it seemed like the fair thing to do. In exchange she received his U.N. Diplomatic Passport. He was indeed Andrei Kan. All the while he made conversation on light topics.
“How was your trip to Seattle?”
Ashley laughed. “Nice, after they got the heating system fixed! Then I could get some sleep. But I’m sure glad I woke up in time to see Mount Rainier!”
Both satisfied, they returned each other’s I.D. Their food arrived and the light topics continued.
“What’s the best way to get to the Coliseum at the Seattle Center?” Ashley asked, pulling out her map.
“There is a monorail from here. Buses run up and down all these streets.
The waterfront and Aquarium are very nice.”
“Thank you. I think I’d like to see them.” Ashley glanced around to see if anyone was watching. “What a nice hotel!” Then she laid her left arm on the table, pulled her sleeve up just enough, and tapped in her release code. He tapped in another code, and the bracelet clicked open. Ashley let it fall from her arm, slid her sleeve back down, and went on eating.
“Yes, I stay here often. It’s walking distance to a number of interesting places, and I can get a bus right to the airport.” He put his large hand over the bracelet and slipped it nonchalantly into his coat pocket.
Ashley breathed a personal sigh of relief. Mission accomplished. “If you ever get down to the Portland area, feel free to stop in and visit!”
“That would be nice. I haven’t seen your place yet. I hear it’s very beautiful.”
While Ashley was paying for the breakfasts, she noticed with happiness that he took care of the tip. They exchanged a few more pleasant words, and then he disappeared into the elevator. Ashley felt a little sad. It had all been so plastic and superficial. She didn’t know a thing about Andrei Kan, the person. Maybe someday she would see him again, and in a less tense situation they could talk like real people, perhaps walk along the waterfront and go to the Aquarium. She shrugged and headed out the door of the hotel at 300 Jackson Street.