Part 11
It's been three weeks since you broke out and it feels like a lifetime. Term has just ended and the summer stretches before you: Six glorious weeks of total freedom. You walk out of the school gates and stretch briefly in the warm sunlight before wondering into the alleyway where you used to leave your bike. These days your bike stays in its shed at home. After all, you think as your hands go to the wide jaunting belt around your waist, why cycle when you can jaunt?
The Lab materialises around you, fading into existance like the dream you still half expect it to be.
"Hello, TIM!" You call. TIM's spheres pulse with a welcoming light.
"Good afternoon, Jay. You seem to be in a very good mood today."
"Well, it's the end of term. My last lesson for months!"
"Well, weeks anyway." John corrects from where he is sitting at one of the link tables.
"Ignore John." Elizabeth advises as she comes out of one of the Lab's side rooms with Hsui Tai behind her. "He's in a grumpy mood."
"Grumpy? Me?" John protests. "Anyway, Liz, I do have good reason."
Your confused look obviously attracts TIM's attention.
"John has been contacted by a television company asking for an interview." TIM tells you in a worried tone.
"TV?" Andrew jaunts onto the pad behind you, still smart in his school uniform. "That's neat!" Then he hesitates and his frown matches yours. You ask the question that you're both thinking of.
"But our existance is meant to be secret, John! How could the company have found out about us?"
"It isn't the Tomorrow People that they want to talk about." John mutters darkly.
"John has registered patents on a large number of inventions in the last decade." TIM's deep voice rolls over you. "The company in question contacted the address on those patents asking to speak about the mysterious young inventor."
A slight flush of embarrassment creeps over John's pale cheeks and you and Andrew exchange mischievous looks.
"Here we are in the presence of genius." Andrew comments solemnly.
"I can't believe we never noticed." You add in equally serious tones. "John, can I have you autograph? If you sign and date it now it'll be from before you're famous and I can sell it for a fortune."
"Alright, alright, that's enough you two." John snaps, irritated.
"Well, can't you just refuse to give an interview?" You ask, climbing down off the jaunting pad and sitting down beside John.
"That's the problem." Elizabeth tells you, joining you at the table. "The journalist TIM spoke to said that if John refuses to give a studio interview they'll run a huge feature on the 'genius recluse'."
"Either way," John tells you, "I'll be a public figure. My face will be recognized wherever I go and if anyone comes looking, the security of the Lab is at risk."
"That's got to be blackmail, surely?" You point out, beginning to see why the atmosphere in Lab is so tense.
"It is." TIM agrees, "but if John attempts to protest his treatment to any figure in authority the publicity is likely to be even more extreme."
"It is a problem, isn't it?" Andrew noted, joining you. He pulls his school tie off and loosens the top button of his shirt. "What should we do?"
"I don't suppose we could find someone to impersonate John?" Hsui Tai asks softly.
"But who?" Andrew asks. "Anyone we know well enough to ask would just lead them back here anyway. And what if they start asking technical questions?"
"I'm just going to have to go through with it." John says moodily. "I don't see that I have any choice in the matter."
"Be dull." You say suddenly, as the idea strikes you.
"Thank you very much!" John retorts, offended.
"No, I mean if you act brainy but just plain dull then no one will be interested. They'll just finish the interview as quickly as possible and no one will try to find you again."
"That's actually a very good idea, Jay." Elizabeth notes, brightening. "Do you think you can do that, John?"
"I'm sure he can manage," Andrew chimes in with a grin.
"It does seem to be the best option available to us." TIM agrees. "Should I contact the production company, John?"
"If you must, TIM. If you must."
The day of the big interview dawns dull and grey. A good omen, you can't help feeling. You and the others spent hours yesterday going through John's wardrobe rejecting this item as too fashionable, that as too bright, the other as too eccentric. This morning John is dressed in a dull grey pullover and muddy beige trousers. His hair has been combed into a neat but undistinguished style. His distinctive belt is hidden under the bulky pullover.
"Perfect." Elizabeth declares, stepping forward to brush a strand of John's hair across his eyes with her fingers. "If you were walking down the street I wouldn't look at you twice."
"Very average." Hsui Tai adds
"Incredibly dull." Andrew agrees. All three of them exchange sly looks.
John blows the strand of hair out of his eyes and sighs with resignation as it falls back down.
"You're enjoying this far too much." He scowls at the others. "At least TIM isn't ganging up on me with the rest of you, are you Tim?"
"Mmmm? Sorry, John, did you say something? I didn't notice."
"Oh, TIM!" Elizabeth aims a vague swipe at one of TIM's downhanging tubes. "You are awful."
John fixes you with a mournful look.
"You do realise this is all your fault, Jay?"
"Hey, don't look at me." You protest. "I'm not the genius around here."
"Anyway," He says, ignoring you with what little dignity he can muster. "I'd better get going if I'm going to arrive at the studios by foot." He hesitates. "Want to come along, Jay? I could do with a bit of moral support."
Do you:
a) Go with John?
b) Stay in the Lab?
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