25 Short Stories and Novellas - novelonlinefull.com
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wheelchair began to glide up it. The big moment at last.
The Emperor smiled, shook Uncle James's hand the way he would shake a
turkey's claw, said a few words, this gallant survivor, this embodiment
of history, this remnant of our glorious past, and put a sash around
his neck. At the end of the sash there was a mud-colored medal the
size of a cookie, which seemed to have a portrait of the Emperor on
it. That was it. Carlotta found herself wheeling Uncle James down the
ramp a moment later. Evidently the old man wasn't expected to say
anything in reply. They couldn't even stay on the platform.
For this they had traveled all the way from Berkeley? "Will you find us
our driver?" she said to Ned Townes. "We might as well go back home now."
Townes looked shocked. "Oh, no! You can't do that. There are further
ceremonies, and then a banquet at the palace this afternoon for all the
celebrities."
"Uncle James doesn't eat banquet food. And he's getting very tired."
"Even so. It would be terrible if you left now." Townes tugged at his
jowls. "Look, stay another hour, at least. You can't just grab the
medal and disappear. That's the Emperor up there, young lady."
"I don't give a d.a.m.n if he's-"
But Townes was gone. The Emperor was awarding another medal, this time
to a wide-shouldered woman who already was wearing an a.s.sortment of
decorations that had a glittery Southern California look about them.
"Permit me," a deep confident voice said. The Brazilian again. Leaning
over the rope, tapping her on the shoulder. Carlotta had forgotten all
about him.
"Is it possible to discuss, now, an opportunity for me to record the great
general's reminiscences, perhaps?"
"Look, we don't have time for that. I just want to get my uncle out of
here and back across the bay."
He looked distressed. "But before you leave-half an hour fifteen minutes
She glanced down at the emerald ring. A gleam came into her eyes.
"There's a fee, you know. For his time. We can't just let him talk to
people for free."
