Nanny State
01/10/2008 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
A Psi-Kicks story by: GF Willmetts. Mary Travers hazel eyes flashed open, sparkling and full of life. There was also a sudden flash of anger mixed with sadness immediately followed by the sensation of solution. So many emotions but only one decision. The right one in every way. 'This will be a beautiful day', she muttered to herself, quickly jumping out of bed and dashing to get ready to go out, 'if I have anything to do with it.'
'Time to get ready, children', she called out. 'We're going on an outing today. Immediately. Spit spot!'
The two Blanks stared at each other in the room opposite.
'Didn't you put the tranquillisers in her supper last night?'
'Yeah! Whatever's triggered her neutralised it.' 'Terrific! Better tell the Bureaucracy we're going out. Maybe they can assign another Psionic to make a pair.'
'And have our own personal 'Bert' again? We might see the way things are but she'll twist whoever's chosen as well and he'd be tagging along for the ride.'
'Great! Who does she see as 'Jane' this time?'
'I'll tell you one thing, Lou, I refuse to be 'Jane'.'
'As if you've got any choice in the matter, Bill.'
'Spit spot,' Mary called out, 'Tardiness will not be tolerated. We have children to rescue.'
'Looks like we're going to have to do that one on the move.'
'But at least we know what we're doing. A kidnapping.'
'Nothing came up on the news or Farsighter reports.'
'It means its one of those...'
'Come along, children,' Mary called. 'There isn't time to gossip.'
'Coming, Mary.' The Blanks replied in chorus, both grabbing their coats. Urgency meant there was no time to delay, even this early in the morning. The Bureaucracy would have to be told later.
% %% %%% %% %
The range rover left the Cherry Tree Compound at speed. The weather vane sweeping towards the west as they left. Mary was in the driver's seat before either of the Blanks could get to the car's backseats. At least she hadn't taken to the air again. When she flew as the crow flew, it was agreed that they needed more than a standard car to keep up with her. They were only grateful that she only held an open umbrella up in the air not flapped her arms like a crow. Another at least was she hadn't had a fixation on a big-eared baby elephant.
The reports on just what exactly Mary Travers was were conflicting and confusing. The Poppins persona only surfaced when Mary was in pro-mode. Other than that, she was rather a timid normal with a few quirky low-level talents depending on what she had done last. She could do odd science-defying things like levitate and doolittling to animals amongst others. The psychiatrists thought that it fulfilled some sort of desire to be like her childhood favourite. The other Psionics, especially Sara Seeker, thought more in terms of who had Mary met to share such abilities from and her mind hadn't coped so well. There was also some concern that continued contact with themselves and Mary could also exhibit any of their abilities permanently as well. Mary wasn't given as wide a berth as Harbinger but there was growing concern that she could share her need to become a different persona out in the field. Lancier had become Bert once and Mary demonstrated decidedly different scooping powers. Lancier could never levitate like Mary could but she couldn't scoop like he could neither. There was little that could be done when Mary spotted a danger but for the Blanks to go along and clear the red tape. Better for her to be in the Stable than outside it. She also had an interesting track record in rescuing children in danger providing she was on the case early enough. Explaining to the police she had been called from a fancy dress ball didn't always make sense, especially in the middle of the day.
To say Mary Travers was driving was a bit of an understatement. She hadn't got her hands on the wheel. Just sat there with her brolly in her hands and a foot gently tapping as the range rover drove itself. It had taken some persuading for her not to sit in the passenger seat. Bill had contemplated asking for a Trans-Am, at least then they could say it was an automated car. They decided against that after realising it would be a tight squeeze fitting in the back seat.
The range rover manoeuvred itself around cars in the way at speed before suddenly crossing country down a series of side roads. At least the roads were wide enough for two lanes. The thought of Mary jumping the range rover over other cars would need a lot of explaining. Bill flipped down a flap to show sat-nav details. If nothing else, they could keep an eye on where Mary was taking them. On assignment, it was best not to distract any Psionic and past experience had shown that in her nanny state, Mary would chide them as children if they asked unnecessary questions.
Bill flicked a button that would get a signal to the Bureaucracy. Alert state: Amber. Please track. No sense calling out big guns unless it was needed. It was enough for them to know they were out for now. Lou was just grateful Mary hadn't seen 'The Absent-Minded Professor' and come up with flubber. How would they explain a continual floating land rover to airport authorities?
Mary brought the range rover to a halt beside a farm gate and waited, impatiently tapping her foot for the two Blanks to get out. They waited with her, neither of them sure what to do next. At least she hadn't wanted to hold their hands this time.
'Michael, be so kind as to open the gate. Manners cost nothing but politeness to adults.'
Bill opened the gate, determined to be recognised as Michael this time.
'Oh really, Jane. Must you do everything for your brother.' Mary scolded as she led the way down the dirt-path. 'Shut the gate, Michael, farm animals don't always know it's not safe to walk on the roads and I simply haven't got time to tell them today.'
'Looks like you're stuck with being Jane again,' Lou smiled.
'Why couldn't she see us as the parents?' Bill complained. 'At least she wouldn't treat us as children.'
'They never went with her on outings.'
Mary had come to a halt by a tree and was watching the old farmhouse. Instinctively, the Blanks kept quiet and moved to her side, looking from the other side of the tree. Neither had any idea what would happen next in such situations. She hadn't brought her carpet-bag this time so there was little chance that she would draw a chalk door to enter through a wall this time. Bill gave a silent prayer that there was no horses nearby. He still had the bruises the last time they made a getaway on some. The science team still looked incredulously at what Mary did and kept warning the Blanks not to make anything up. As if they had?
Bill looked on rather despondently as Mary raised her umbrella and nimbly floated up into the air and landed on the roof-top or rather more specifically on the chimney stack. One moment she was there and the next she was gone.
'I think we ought to say she just got into the house, Lou.'
'If you say so, Bill.'
The house was no longer quiet. They could hear bellowing laughter as the Blanks approached the door.
'I didn't think she'd hit them with her brolly.'
'I didn't think she loved to laugh. Wasn't that Uncle Arth...'
Bill grunted and shoved the door open and they stepped inside. In the parlour, Mary Travers stood, splattered with soot, tapping her foot impatiently with two children looking on in awe. Above them on the ceiling were three people convulsing with laughter, two men and one woman.
'That's a lot of people for a kidnapping, Mary,' Lou offered. 'Do you know what's going on?'
Mary frowned. 'The twins' father has to help these people's accomplices into his bank.'
'Which bank, Mary? The police can take it from here.'
'No time for that. Their father is in danger. We must go at once. Jane can wait with these...people and look after the twins. Come along, Michael.'
'Go on, Bill. She might take you for Michael alone. She must have her reasons. They won't do much up there.'
Mary strode out the door to a chorus from the kidnapped children, 'Good-bye, Mary Po...'
Bill ended up running to catch up with the Psionic. All it would need now is for Mary to leave without him. She could get awfully single-minded. Why would she need 'Michael' and not 'Jane'? It must be urgent not to need the police.
The Blank sat in the front passenger seat this time, putting on his safety belt as Mary set the range rover off down the road. As usual, her hands were off the wheel and the car was driving herself.
'Do you know their plan, Mary?' he finally asked.
'Take the money and lock Mr. Banks in the vault.'
'That shouldn't be a problem for someone else to get him out.'
'Time lock. Air depletion. Leaving children without a father. No marks. They would have killed the children.'
'And a warning to others who won't co-operate,' the Blank concluded, 'if they're planning a repeat performance.'
'We should be able to catch them at it.'
The range rover accelerated. Bill pulled out a module link from under the dash. Other Psionics might null speed cameras in their travels but there was never any guarantee Mary would and they were already edging beyond the speedometer limit. Quite what was driving the car at that point no one in the Stable had any idea. Mary's adaptation to reality stepped away from the books when it needed to. The speed cameras would pick them up but the link would now me linked to the Cherry Tree Compound for analysis and a lot of scratched heads later.
% %% %%% %% %
The Dawes Equity bank was quiet this early in the morning. Bill reassuringly checked his watch for the time. Most people wouldn't be heading to work yet. They'd done so much in so short of time. Was Mary capable of distorting time? How was she going to open a vault time-lock. Come to that, how did the crooks put the bank manager inside in the first place?
The range rover braked behind a large van in front of the bank. They jumped out and Bill hastily pressed the bleeper remote to lock the doors.
No sense having the rover used as a getaway vehicle, he thought, remembering the horses. At least there shouldn't be any in the city.
The bank's doors automatically opened as they approached. Was that Mary or were they too late and they'd been left open?
Mary paused in her tracks with what only Bill assumed and hoped was a scanning mode to check out the place. The vault was unlikely to be on the ground floor but how far down to the sub-basement? With easy strides, Mary made her way to a glass door, its security lock deactivating to allow them passage to the stairs.
Better this way than taking the lift down and alerting everyone, Bill thought, except that Mary opened her umbrella and floated down the stairwell. The Blank groaned, realising he wouldn't have it so easy.
At the second landing, Mary floated up to meet him and landed, sitting on the banister.
'Really, Michael, I wasn't being very considerate to your tiny legs,' she started. 'Sit next to me.'
Michael now. Not Jane. When had the switch happened? Little legs?!
Bill sat next to Mary and they began sliding side-saddle down the banister. The Blank didn't dare look around, fearful he could fall off. It would also be one for the books. What was the limit that Psionics could do anything to Blanks?
They gently came to rest at the end of the banister and Bill followed Mary to the fire-door which meekly opened with a tap from her brolly. Inside to the right was the doors to the vaults. To the left was the lift doors. Everything well lit but the red-eye from the cameras was off. Had the crooks been upstairs or had Mary taken control?
Considering the ease that they had got into the bank, where was anyone? A bank such as this should have security guards or even cleaners getting things ready for the morning opening.
Mary studied the vault doors and the combination lock dials began to rotate as she gently tapped her foot.
Suddenly, the lift doors swung open and Bill realised his gun was in the rover. He relaxed when he saw it was a security guard, eyes widening as the vault door began to open.
Bill quickly flashed a security card at the amazed silent guard, 'Your manager's been locked in here. We're getting him out.'
He had one glimpse of the bank manager trying to get out before darkness struck.
Bill's last thought was, Mary, do something...
But then Psionics couldn't scan Blanks.
% %% %%% %% %
'I tellya. She stood there and the vault opened.'
'That's impossible.'
'And the front entrance and fire door?'
'No keys. I checked.'
'The pigs were at the farm.'
'What about these IDs this one was carrying.'
'Would a pig carry some of these?'
'Some special ops might.'
'Rescuing the man before the pigs got there. Something to hide.'
'This raises some interesting possibilities.'
'I want some proof.'
Bill winced as his head was jerked back. He didn't feel well. Sick even.
'This one's awake.'
The Blank looked up at three faces looking down at him. Unmasked but blurry. That wouldn't be good. He was sitting on a chair with his hands handcuffed under the seat. There was still a loud buzzing in his head. Concussion?
Where was Mary?
'We'll keep it short. How she do it?'
'Do what?'
'Open doors?'
'Trade secret.'
Bill reeled with a hefty slap and a cut lip. None of it helped his head. He needed to organise his thoughts. When would be the best time to talk? How many slaps? Be a coward or tough it out? No telling what Mary might do if he got too bloodied. If she was awake?
'She can only do it for me. We're a team.'
'And what does she do normally? Work in fancy dress?'
'She's a little eccentric.'
Gotta keep some cards hidden. Come on, Mary. Wake up! You can stop these three in a breath.
A low groan came from across the room. Bill suddenly got blinded by the light as the three thugs moved away from him. How long had he been out? Wincing, he looked around but things were still a little blurry. If Mary was as bad as himself...
'Hello, precious.'
'Your boy-friend says you open locks.'
'My what...?'
Bill's eyes finally adjusted to the daylight and saw Mary Travers, handcuffed to a chair like he was.
'It's me, Mary,' he called out.
'Bill?'
Bill? Not Michael. Not even Jane. She's out of pro-mode. Inwardly, Bill groaned. This was definitely not good.
'Listen, love,' Bill called out. 'We have some important stakes here. Can you shake yourself out of those cuffs?'
'What important stakes?'
'Lives. Ours at the moment.'
'I've got a headache. I don't feel well.' Mary looked around. 'These people aren't authorised.'
'They saw you opening the vault...'
'What vault?'
'What's she talking about?' one of the men interrupted.
How much to tell. Stick near to the truth.
'My colleague is di-polar. Your thumping her put her into a lesser mode. She has none of the abilities you saw her use at the bank. She'll need time to recover.'
'So if I thump her again we get the other version back?' another of the men asked.
Bill winced. 'More like keep her this way. She'd be better after a night's sleep.'
Mary suddenly stood up and glumly handed over the cuffs, promptly sitting down again when the guns turned on her. 'That's all I can do.'
The three men turned to each other.
'We need to plan a job.'
'Quickly.'
'Won't need to kidnap. Just go in when it's quiet and get her to open a vault.'
'Choose a big one.'
'We'll need transport.'
'Won't take so much planning.'
'How do we keep them on ice. She can open locks.'
'There's always ways.'
'Do we need him?'
'What if she doesn't...change back?'
'Ice them both.'
'We haven't lost anything.'
One of the men turned to Mary. 'Can you release your buddy here?'
Nodding, Mary looked at Bill's cuffs as the Blank shook them. Motion made scooping easier. Instantly, they fell to the floor and he used the opportunity to scratch his nose. No one objected but he didn't get up. No sudden moves on his part.
'Far out!'
'And she did that with that vault?'
The leader held up his hand. 'One thing at a time. Nail the windows down in there. Lots of nails. Board and block them up and then we'll barricade the door. She might open locks but I doubt if she can move a chest of drawers without us hearing them.
'You,' he pointed at Bill, 'will behave and keep her in check or we kill you both.'
'Do I have any choice?'
'No choice.'
Bill got to his feet and then his head hit the ground.
% %% %%% %% %
There was a light. It was moving gently in the distance. The air didn't feel particularly fresh. Something damp was on his head. Very cool. A flannel.
'Don't move, Bill. It feels like you're growing an egg where they hit your head.'
The Blank slowly opened his eyes properly to see Mary Travers looking down at him. Her dark hazel eyes slightly opaque in the light and she briefly smiled. She must have cleaned herself up while he...slept. Not a hint of soot.
'They didn't hit you again. You just collapsed. They couldn't make up their minds whether it was delayed concussion or relief that I didn't have the same problem.'
'Porcelain skull. It wasn't a dream?' He paused between each sentence. 'We got nabbed by the bank robbers? You opened our cuffs.'
'You told me to. Something about saving our lives. I didn't know I could do that. I believed you and it happened...twice.'
Bill struggled to get up before crashing back on the pillow. His hands were tied but there was some give offering a little freedom of movement. Looking at Mary, she waved her own tied hands in front of him. Behind her from the ceiling waved a lamp in a Chinese lantern. She must have kept the last talent she was using. If anything, it wouldn't be powerful enough to open any vault.
'They decided knots would be trickier to untie than locks.'
'How long was I out? Have you been awake all the time?'
Mary took the flannel away and returned it freshly dipped in water. 'I've lost track of time. You were out cold and I wasn't that bright myself. I've had some sleep. A few hours. They gave me the bowl and some food a little while ago. Said I was a model prisoner. Are you hungry?'
'I could do with a toilet.'
'We have a thunderbox.' Mary smiled weakly. 'All mod cons.'
Bill nodded as Mary assisted him to his feet and guided him to a somewhat large box by the barricaded window. She walked back to the bed, giving him some privacy while he had a pee. There was enough leeway for him to undo his trousers.
'Have they treated you OK?'
'They wanted few minor demonstrations. A bicycle combination lock. A small safe. They seemed impressed.'
Zipping up after a grunt, Bill looked around the room and touched his ear. 'Are they listening?'
'They were more intent in keeping us safe.'
'And it wasn't something they planned for.'
'But something they plan to exploit.'
'Bill...they want me to open a vault. I don't think I can do that. It might be too big. Too complicated. I'm scared.'
He sat down on the bed next to her, taking Mary's hand in case she started to cry. 'All you need is a spoonful of sugar.'
'That could rot my teeth.'
'Yeah! Right.'
'Let's deal with that when it comes. It might be a small safe. The kind that holds jewellery. Spit spot. You'll be all right.'
'That might be easier.'
The Blank reached over and helped himself to a biscuit and then sipped the cup of tea that Mary poured him. It was cold but refreshing for him. Like all Psionics, she instinctively avoided caffeine products. The half-empty glass of milk was hers. He didn't really feel like eating but there was never ever any indication where the next meal would come from and he'd missed breakfast. He was better than he was earlier even if his head still felt muzzy.
Surely Sara Seeker or some of the other Psionics would be looking for them by now? Sara had said that Mary gave off a rather unusual signature in pro-mode. Except that Mary wasn't in pro-mode and there was no telling where they were. It could be another farmhouse or a derelict tower block for all they knew. If it was in a populated area Sara would have to wait until background static quietened down.
Getting Mary back into pro-mode was the only real option but how? Much of the time was spent in reining her in not turning her on. This morning, yesterday or whenever, she'd switched when children were in danger. What could he say? 'Hey, put some kids in danger and Mary will be on true-form.' As if. There was no way of knowing.
She might well be all right but there was no guarantee with that knock on the head she had. The only reason Mary could undo locks was because that was the last thing she was doing when they hit her. A good thing they hadn't caught them sliding down the banister. That wouldn't have looked so great.
All they could do was wait and hope for a lucky chance to do something. Anything!
% %% %%% %% %
The cleaners van arrived at the bank. Bill estimated the time as about six as the sun was rising. Who was going to suspect cleaners coming into do their work...except they are no security passes or access numbers from the bank manager this time. This time the thieves were relying solely on Mary Travers, the ultimate lock-opener. Assurances that they wouldn't kill anyone would be meaningless. All three robbers were carrying guns and both of them had been reminded that the wrong noise or not opening the right doors would mean someone would be hurt. He guessed Mary wouldn't be first but there would be security staff.
The robbers still had no names. They weren't the standard thugs. The leader, at least, could think and plan and probably well educated. The other two weren't mindless crooks although one looked likely to be violent if he had to. If anything, it was the acceptance of what Mary could do that was the most surprising. Almost as if running into a Psionic was an every day occurrence. That, Bill decided, was impossible. The Stable Consultancy was the biggest concentration of Psionics in the world but few knew or remembered its existence. Certainly not the criminal classes. Sara would have picked out any minor talents if their ability rose high enough to detect. Maybe this lot were just taking advantage of having a golden egg landing in their lap in exchange for losing half their team. Other than changing hideouts, they didn't seem that perturbed by these changes. They were just opportunists.
Mary clicked her fingers near the security code box and the five of them walked into the bank through a service entrance. No security to check them in but that didn't mean they weren't watching. Bill looked around to spot the security cameras before being urged to move on by the closest robber. The gun digging into his ribs was what kept Mary opening doors. They certainly weren't going to take his life as the Psionic opened the door leading the stairs to the sub-basement. At least they accepted that Mary couldn't interfere with the cameras so how were they going to deal with that. Was there an inside man or a bribe keeping whoever might be watching from giving the alarm?
Unlike yesterday, this time they walked down. Not five flights like the previous bank but four. They would have to use the lift to bring up the loot. Did they think Mary would be able to let them out the front door? Then again, if the alarms don't go off who's going to alert security?
Why choose money over jewels? Bill had queried that on the way here. Oddly, one of them gave an answer. Too many people would be taking a cut. The fence. The purchaser. It would also give a leak back to who they were. Old money was a better collateral. No consecutive numbers. Less likely to be marked. Not sprayed with dye from transit boxes. Easier to spend. Smart buggers!!! Mind you, dim crooks might have killed them. Small blessings.
Two more security doors and they were at the vault. As impressive as the last one with a digital clock showing about various combination locks and two large handles. It wasn't designed to be opened by one person but two in tandem.
Inwardly, Bill groaned. Why didn't they choose something easier for Mary...at least on the first outing. Were they after only one killing? Bad metaphor.
'Couldn't you have chosen something simpler?' he asked.
Mary just stared at the door for several minutes before asking, 'What do you want me to do?'
'Open the vault, precious, or I blow your boy-friend's brains away...'
'My boy-friend...my boy-friend...He...Bill...isn't my boy-friend.'
'Does it matter? He'll still be dead with his blood all over your nice clothes. Do you want that? You know you look like Julie Andre...'
'My tuppence is inside the safe, Mary,' Bill offered. 'They want to give it back for me to give to the bird lady. They just forgot how to open the doors.'
The pause was tangible with Mary lost in thought. The thieves were patient this time. Maybe they thought she was scanning the lock.
Finally, 'Why...why would you want to shoot Michael before giving him his tuppence back?'
Michael??!!
'They don't think you can get into the vault, Mary. It would be easier if you let them go in.'
Mary Travers paused again.
What was she thinking, Bill wondered. Had she switched into pro-mode or wavering? Would she even do the right thing in pro-mode or was she working on how open the vault or what to do after? This wasn't any familiar situation for her in pro-mode. Nothing that matched her nanny state.
The barrel of the pistol rubbed against the Blank's temple. They were getting impatient or at least this one was. 'Get her to get a move on. We haven't got all day.'
'Please, Mary. I want my tuppence back...to feed the birds.'
Mary studied her reflection on the safe door and sighed. 'Perfect in every way. What's the word good boys say, Michael?'
'Please, Mary P...'
'Just for you, Michael.'
The vault clock started to speed through its times and then the four combination locks began to rotate.
'Look at that,' their leader muttered.
'You both stay alive as long as you can keep doing this for us,' the one with the gun to Bill's head muttered.
They all stepped back as the handles pressed down and the vault doors slowly opened.
Their leader pointed his finger at Mary. 'Don't do anything, precious, or your boy-friend will be minus a head.'
'How much should we take?'
'Only what we can carry. Sweet Mary here can open other banks for us. No sense being too greedy all at once.'
Mary stepped aside as the two thieves stepped into the vault but the look she gave Bill had a twinkle in it as she tapped her foot. She was getting impatient again. The knots holding his bonds began to undo.
'Michael, dear.'
'Yes, Mary?'
'I don't think his water-pistol will fire.'
Huh!?
The vault door suddenly started to close and Bill dug his elbow into the thief's gut before slamming him back against the wall. The rope around his wrists fell to the ground. Grabbing the thief's arm, he threw him into the vault before the door closed. Three startled faces and groping hands couldn't stop the vault doors closing.
Bill sighed with relief himself this time. 'Thank you, Mary.'
'Spit spot. Straighten yourself up, Michael. Your tie's crooked.'
Instinctively, Bill felt his collar before realising that he wasn't wearing a tie.
The bonds around Mary's wrists also fell to the ground.
'Your hand, Michael.'
Bill put out his hand and Mary dropped a tuppence coin into it and they walked back to the stairs.
'Let's go and feed the birds. Just enough to pay the bird lady for a bag of crumbs.'
'I don't think that's allowed any more, Mary.'
'Nonsense! Who says no to me?'
'The mayor. Trying to stop the pigeon population.'
'I shall have a word with him.'
'The wind's coming in from the east, Mary.'
'Indeed it is, Michael.'
'I need help tidying the playroom or we could fly a kite...you know, up to the highest height.'
'That comes later. I must check on Mr. Banks still locked inside his own bank vault.'
'That was yesterday, Mary. That vault would probably have opened at its regular time.'
She paused to think or was scanning. 'I do believe you're right, Michael. He doesn't appear to be in that vault anymore.'
Bill paused by the stairs as Mary sat on the banister and then he joined her. She scanned. That was a first considering she only saw that bank manager briefly.
'Uncle Albert's back at Cherry Tree. Time we had a laugh. We can be home in time for tea.'
'Very well but you're not to eat on the ceiling.'
With no apparent effort, they both moved up the stair rail. The Blank was grateful that there were no studs on the banister.
'Then I'll tuck you and Jane in bed afterwards.
Bill suppressed a sigh. Things were back to normal...whatever that was.
'We're big children now, Mary. We can do that ourselves.'
He felt like singing 'A Spoonful Of Sugar' but as Mary said, it rots your teeth.
end
'Psi-Kicks', the 'Stable Consultancy' and Mary Travers (c) GF Willmetts 2008 all rights reserved
NB There is no intended infringement of the P.L. Travers Estate or her characters. Mary Travers only believes she's the other Mary and isn't the real nanny who stayed at Cherry Hill Lane. |
|
Add SFcrowsnest.com daily news updates to your
own web site or blog - just cut and paste the code
below...
POST YOUR COMMENTS  CLICK HERE TO HAVE YOUR SAY
|
