008 - Getting Local Help

Caspian listened as the people here talked back and forth, and quickly recognized particulars of the language. The dialect was a bit off, as was the vernacular. But the language was the one he had learned. Caspian reached into another pocket in his vest. From this he pulled a small stone big enough to pinch between his thumb and two fingers. Nonchalantly he worked the stone back and forth in his hand, concentrating on his memory recall techniques, and on the time he had spent on this planet.

The rangers had evidently decided to just let him sit there until he did something. After an hour of their banter Caspian was beginning to understand the conversations, and the script on the posters and maps that hung on the walls. Then a need hit him. Time to see if his recall was right. He cleared his throat.

“Where shall I locate the lavatory?”

The rangers turned as a man and looked at him. The german shepherd lifted his head in notice at the movement. The one at the map returned to it. The first one Caspian met went back to his paperwork. This left the woman.

She pointed her thumb at a doorway behind her. “Second on the left.” She then went back to the computer she was doing something with.

Caspian stood, took off his cloak, and coat and cargo vest. He left these all on the chair. Then he walked into the indicated doorway. It had five closed doors, two on either side with one at the end. The dog followed. Caspian was not fully sure of what the woman had said, but guessed correctly.

The lavatory brought clear memories back, mainly at how efficient they were compared to where he lived. He finished, spending several moments washing his hands, and rinsing the several days’ growth on his face. Caspian found the fresh water quite enjoyable. He returned to his chair feeling much better.

“Now, how about lunch.” He reached over the counter to where his stuff was. The paranoia of the world also had returned forcefully, earlier. So he pushed his belt and things aside, and dumped his food sack out. He quickly put what he did not want back in. Caspian started into a piece of fruit with his fruit knife. That reduced to a core, he picked up a meat roll and munched through it, while sipping at his water skin.

The rangers intermittently watched him as they worked. Finally the map man rolled his map away and put his tools in a drawer. He then disappeared down the hall and through the door on the end.

Caspian had sat for a while, when the Ranger who had left came back into this area of the building with a plate of sandwiches, and pitcher of liquid. The three of then started in on the food.

The first one turned to Caspian. “You are welcome to one, if you like.”

He indicated the platter of sandwiches on the counter, and the cups next to the pitcher.

Caspian had to dig a moment to remember. “Thank you.”

Caspian took one of the sandwiches, and poured himself a cup of red liquid. The sandwich was two slices of a soft, light brown bread, with a yellow paste between. In the paste, Caspian found bits of crunchy vegetable, some agreeable spices, and some small cubes of something he did not recognize. Combined with the food from his stash, it was quite satisfying.

Caspian felt that he had remembered enough words of the language. And that he had spent enough time sitting. He had a general idea of where he was, after looking at the maps, and listening to the language. And that allowed him to call in an unexpected marker. If he could just figure out how to. Only thing to do was ask. He leaned over the counter toward the first man, at his desk.

“How do I go about contacting a specific person?”

They all looked at him strangely for a moment. Then the map man spoke.

“Are you on something, pal?”

Caspian was not sure of what he had been specifically asked, but understood the general nature just by the tone. “No. I have been away for a while, and do not remember precisely how to contact my friend.”

“D’you know his number?”

“Number?”

The man picked up one of the devices from the counter, and put it down in front of Caspian. It had several arrayed sets of buttons, and a handle attached to a cord. A different cord attached to the back of the device and disappeared through a hole in the counter.

“His phone number.”

Caspian remembered now. “Ah, no. I do not remember. His name is Alistare Kevan. He is an Adjudicator, if I remember correctly.”

“Where?”

“In a court of law, I presume. That is usually where one does that.”

The man was obviously being as gentle as he could, but was loosing patience. Caspian understood and felt frustrated. If he had just reawakened his memory before coming to this magically dead place, he would have been more able to get along.

“What city does he live in?”

Caspian had to think about this, wishing he had written down and kept this information. “Um… Sack…Sacro…Sacra…um…”

The woman looked up. “Sacramento?”

Caspian looked at her. “That is it. Sacramento.”

Caspian just stood and looked at the man. He could remember using the phone many times when he was last here, but its use in this case was still beyond him.

The man let out an exasperated sigh. He then took the phone back. He pushed one button, and the little box began to make a humming noise. He then pushed a bunch of other buttons, causing various tones to be emitted. He then picked up the handle and held it to his face, with one end over one ear and the other end to his mouth. After a few moments he spoke.

“I need some numbers in Sacramento…Yes. One moment.” He picked up a pencil and pulled a pad of paper to write on. He then looked at Caspian.

“What is the name of your friend?”

“Alistare Kevan.”

“And he’s a judge.” He wrote this on the top of the paper.

“I think that is what you call it.”

The man turned his attention back to the handle. “Yes ma’am. I’m looking for the work and residence numbers of an Alistare Kevan…I’m told he is a judge…No, I don’t know which court.” He made a face slightly exasperated. Then listened again. “You’re sure…Yes Ma’am.” He then spelled out the name as he wrote it. “Yes ma’am…I’m ready.” He then began writing numbers on the piece of paper. “Thank you. Good afternoon.”

He pushed a lever in the spot for the handle on the box. Then he began pushing buttons, referring to one of the two sets of numbers on the pad. He listened to the handle for a bit. “I’m looking for an Alistare Kevan. Yes. One moment.”

He then held the handle out to Caspian. “Your friend’s home.”

Caspian took the handle and put it too his face. He could hear a bit of static as something happened at the other end. Then a vaguely familiar voice came on.

“This is Judge Kevan.”

Caspian spoke in his native language. “Alistare. This is Caspian. How have you been?”

There was silence for a bit. “Caspian?” Then a familiar language. “What are you doing on Terra?”

“I would rather explain that in person. But I have no idea where I am, or how to get around. I need your help.”

“Tell me from the beginning.”

“I traveled in along the ley lines last night. This morning I was awakened by a young man in a brown uniform. We walked to his vehicle, and he brought me to this house, where there are another man and a woman in the same brown uniform. I have had a bit of trouble remembering the native language.”

“Let me talk to one of the people there.”

Caspian handed the phone back to the first man, as the map man had left. “Talk.” Caspian felt stupid for not bring more eloquent. But the idea got across.

The ranger took the phone and put it to his ear. “This is Ranger Smith. Yes sir. Yes sir. Nothing so far, but we have not really been able to question him. O.k. We are in the Lassen Forest. Get off the 5 at Red Bluff, take the 36 up to 89 North. Keep on 89 North for about nine miles, to a marked Forest Service Road on the right. Five miles up that road and you are here. Yes sir, we can do that.”

He held the handle out to Caspian.

Caspian took it. “Hello again.”

“I will be up to get you sometime after dark. Just stay put, and be friendly. Keep your dragon out of sight.” The line then went dead.

Caspian looked at the handle for a moment, and put it carefully back on the phone. “I am to stay until he comes.”