Part 23 (1/2)

We mobilized the councilmembers for a quick field trip down to the minipark, where we were able to show them, IN WRITING, in bra.s.s letters an inch high, our proof that Emma was indeed the owner of Blackrock's first and only cafe.

(I did have a moment of terror when I realized the bench now read ”Emma LeStrange” and remembered my letter-flipping incident back on Day 6. But then I realized, if they were willing to accept an inscription on a park bench as proof of owners.h.i.+p, one wrong letter wasn't going to be the deal breaker.) The three of them looked at the bench, nodded, murmured a little legal talk, and then politely mentioned ”compensation.”

Schneider shook his head. ”No more bribes, honorable councilmembers,” he said. ”It's not going to work like that anymore. Uh, besides which, we've got nothing to offer you.”

There was a little more polite legal talk, and then the next thing I knew, everyone was handing around doc.u.ments, shaking hands, and signing off, and then I was the new legal owner of the El Dungeon, just like that.

”Hey, Schneider,” I said when the councilmembers had left us there at the minipark. ”What just happened?”

”You got lucky, kid,” he said. ”Attikol did talk to them about a payoff. But he never came through, and what do you know, rumor has it that he's low on money. So, even though your evidence was kind of pathetic, you really had no compet.i.tion. So you won this round. But like I've said, I really doubt that a question over legal owners.h.i.+p will keep him from knocking this building over if that's what he wants to do. I hope you have a plan.”

Yeah...me too.

Later Poor golem! Poor poor poor poor golem!

I am a very bad golem-commander!

Raven broke all her fingers, wrists, elbows, and shoulders working on that evil bolt down in the closet. Had to work very hard to repair her. Thank goodness for the local deserted hardware store and its well-stocked Dumpsters. She said it did not hurt, but still. Am feeling like a big jerk.

I feel bad for even calling this good news, but she DID get the bolt open. I wish I knew how to reward her.

One down, two more locks to go.

Later Still no ideas on those locks, but I've built the amplitudinal sandstorm generator as per Aunt Emma's specifications. Since I have no lab to work in, I had to just move aside some furniture and use the El Dungeon. Installed the completed device in the middle of a deserted intersection, just for fun. And cranked it up. Should see results some time tomorrow. Am going to spend the night pondering the further details of my plan for convincing Attikol to leave here forever.

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Day 28 umlaut brought me a note from Jakey this morning. Here it is:

Whats up Earwig how are you. I would come see you but I am scared to get larginitus. Are you better yet? I am so borred. We haven't done a show in like three days because everyone left town. I think we are going to leave town soon too. Attikol is almost done with his chalenge. That bayje building where you are staying is the last one and he will probly get it moved today and then he is going to ask Raven to come with us. And I know you didnt want to come with us last time I asked you but where else are you going to go if you dont have your memery back? And there is going to be nothing left here pretty soon. Well just wanted to say hi or bye or whatever. I hope you are OKYour frend fiend frend fiend friend Jakey friend Jakey

That was pretty depressing by itself, but then Molly Merriweather marched in with her suitcases and her big smile and her positive, can-do att.i.tude and that made it even worse.

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MOLLY:.

Man, where is everyone? This place is dusted!

ME:.

Told you not to come.

M:.

Yeah well, let's solve that mystery of yours so we can move on to a new town, 'K? And don't worry, I won't say the code word this time!

ME:.

[Suddenly unable to breathe.] CODE...WORD? WHAT...CODE...WORD?

M:.

The one that made your memory come back. Oh, right. Of course you don't remember that.

ME:.