The Smiths and Joneses (35 page)

              “I see. Officer is there something we can do about this, we really need her on sight for the program.”

              “I thought so, hence, if you’re willing to accept responsibility for her, we’ll leave her in your custody.”

              “I accept your kind offer, here’s my ID, I’ll voice record my acceptance of responsibility for her.”

              “Thank you. Please remind your people about our laws.”

              “Officer, you can be sure I will. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

              “Well, I hate to ask, however, would you mind taking a picture with me and my partner?”

              “Officer, it would be my pleasure to, I’ll also electronically autograph the image for you and your partner, will that work?”

              The officer smiles nodding his head.

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              Scott is watching the officer and Wolf from his upstairs room when Sissy comes in asking, “Scotty, what’s going on?”

              “I don’t know, but seeing the officers are smiling, I think everything is going to be OK, I think the engineer lady got your puppy stuff, see she has a large bag of stuff with her.”

              Sissy runs downstairs yelling, “Mr. Wolf; you got my training stuff for Rebel didn’t you?” Sissy runs to Wolf, hugging his leg. The officer takes a couple of pictures of them together. Wolf again thanks the officers for bringing Joan back to the house, when Sean exits the house asking, “What’s going on? What did I miss?”

              Wolf says, “I’ll explain it later; we have to get ready to go on air. I suggest you remind your staff about the rules of the LSA. I’m not responsible for your sound engineer.”

              “Huh? Joan, want to have a chat with me?”

              “Sean may I just give Sissy the items Wolf asked me to get for her. I need to show her how to use them to train her puppy or Sharon is going to get rid of Rebel.”

              “We don’t want that. The country has fallen in love with the two puppies; we don’t want to lose them. Take 30 minutes, you can have some more time after the program. Do I need to reimburse you for the items?”

              “Sean, thank you, you’ll just need to sign my expense report. I used the company card.”

              “No problem, it looks like Sissy is going to burst, so go spend some time with her, we’ll talk later.”

              “Thank you.”

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              At the stroke of 8PM Eastern Time, Wolf and Sean are smiling, the cameras zoom in on the two hosts, Wolf says, “Welcome back to the Smith’s home. We’re back in Beaverton, Oregon, with Jason, Sharon, Scott, Sissy and the newest member of their family, Rebel.” Before Wolf can finish his sentence, Rebel runs out of the kitchen and pees right in front of Wolf. Sissy, runs after Rebel saying, “NO Rebel, bad doggie, outside, outside, right now.” Sissy pushes Rebel outside as Sharon walks into the living room carrying a tray of coffee and snacks, she sees the puddle on the floor saying, “Sissy, I warned you!”

Chapter 20

              Sissy runs after Rebel crying and screaming, “NO, she’s my puppy, you promised.”

              The broadcast crew tries following her with their camera while Sharon runs after Sissy, who’s stopped by Joan. “Sissy, you have to listen to your mother. I’ll help train Rebel; I’ll talk with your mother. However, you have to stop running and go home. You’re doing more harm than good. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

              Sissy’s face is covered in tears, “OK, but you promise to talk to my mother?”

              “Yes, now let’s go home together.”

              The two of them turn around walking towards the house just as Sharon reaches them. At first Sharon hugs Sissy, she was afraid Sissy would get injured by being outside alone. Sharon thanks, Joan for helping. Sharon’s face is covered in tear tracks, she was so worried something could have happened to Sissy, she cried the entire distance to Joan and Sissy. Before Joan can say anything, Sharon swats Sissy on her butt for running out of the house alone and not listening to her. The neighborhood political officer sees Sharon’s act. She stops in her tracks surprised. She thought to herself, “Sharon always seemed like a good and loyal person.” However, she has a duty to perform. She picks up her phone and presses the number one button which speed dials the Department of Child Safety. She reports the child abuse she’s witnessed on the street. The DepLIES cameras have already recorded the act and notified the Department of Child Safety, who has received confirmation from the local phone call. They dispatch a car to investigate the abuse. Sharon bends down to the same level as Sissy’s face. “Honey, I’m sorry I hit your behind. I was so worried about you. I got lost in my emotions, are you OK?”

              The neighborhood political officer feels a little sorry for Sharon because by reporting the child abuse, it may have an impact on the balance of the show. She has been trained in what to look for, and when to make reports. Her list includes calling for any child abuse issues, anyone who speaks out against the government, or any of the policies of the LSA. Anyone wasting resources is also to be immediately turned in. She is paid a special bonus for every person she turns in. Everyone in the neighborhood knows she works for the DepLIES, so all treat her with the most respect. No one dares disrespect her for fear she would turn them in. Once reported, even if the charges don’t stick, those reported would be watched for the rest of their lives by the DepLIES. Any infraction would cause them and their family to be removed from their homes and sent to the far north to live out their lives in what used to be called the North West Terrortiy of Canada. An area close to, and in some cases north of, the Artic Circle, most sent north die within a year, from exposure. The political officer shakes her head thinking about the little girl, she put the thoughts out of her mind because she had an important job to do to protect the neighborhood. She was an important part of the gears that held the LSA together.

              Crying, Sissy says, “Yes Mommy. I’m OK; I was just worried that you were going to take my puppy away from me. Ms. Joan got me the training materials and she promised to stay after the show and help me teach Rebel to go outside. I think she’s worried about all of the strange people who keep coming to her house.”

              “Joan, did you really get her puppy training materials?”

              “Yes Mrs. Smith I did. I also promised to help train Rebel; I’ve had a number of puppies; I trained them all to go outside. I got some spray to put on the things you don’t want her to chew on. She’s a puppy; she chews on everything; she’ll go whenever she has to or when she’s nervous. She can be easily taught. Puppies don’t like to go where they live. For now, why don’t we put her in your laundry room?”

              “Joan, that’s a very good idea.”

              “Sissy, I’m sorry honey; everything is going to be OK, Mommy was just nervous with the TV people in the house and everything going on. Come, let’s go home and put Rebel in the laundry room. Joan also got her a doggie bone to chew on; she’ll be fine.”

              “OK Mommy, let’s go home. “ Sissy and Sharon hold hands while Sissy is holding Rebel’s leash in her other hand. Joan follows behind the two of them not noticing the stares of the people on the street.

              When Sharon and Sissy arrive home, a blue and green car from the Department of Child Safety pulls into the driveway. Two women officers exit the car asking to speak with Sharon. “Sissy, please go into the house with Joan, I’ll be right there.”

              The first officer says, “Mrs. Smith?”

              “Yes, I’m Sharon Smith. What can I do for you?”

              “Mrs. Smith, we have a recording of a child abuse situation right on your street, we’ve also received a call from one of your neighbors who witnessed the abuse.”

              “What are you talking about?”

              “Mrs. Smith, would you like to see the video?”

              “Yes I would. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

              The senior agent turns her tablet computer so Sharon can see the images; she sees herself swat Sissy’s rear end on the sidewalk.

              “So? My child ran out of the house without permission; she didn’t listen to me.”

              “So you’re admitting you struck a child? You’re admitting you raised your voice to a child? Did you scare the child in question?”

              “It’s not a child in question; Sissy is my daughter.”

              “Yes and no. Mrs. Smith, I’m sure your family follows all of our child abuse laws. We’re very proud of our record of protecting children. We have to speak with the child in question. We are going to need to speak with her in private.”

              “Officer are you aware two broadcast networks are getting ready to film a program in our home?”

              “Of course we are. When we got the call, we couldn’t believe it was your family involved. Your family is considered one of our brightest and best which is why you were selected. That has nothing to do with the child abuse that took place.”

              “Officer, you can’t be serious, I never meant to abuse my daughter, I love her. I was scared and frightened. I simply over reacted.”

              “Mrs. Smith, that may be the case; however, we do have a GPS encoded video which you admit is you striking a child. It’s our duty to investigate the situation.”

              “Look it’s almost time for the program to start. Why don’t you come and watch the program up close and personal? Meet Sean and Wolf. See how a television program is produced.”

              “Mrs. Smith, we’re thankful for your offer. However, policy says we are required to speak with the minor child within an hour of the abuse. As such, we have to speak with her ASAP. If you refuse us entry, we will be forced to contact the DepLIES who will arrange for us to meet with the minor child. Which way would you like to handle this?’

              “Officer, do you really think President Bloomberg is going to want you questioning my daughter or the DepLIES breaking into our home in the middle of a joint LSA/USA broadcast? What will happen to your career?”

              The senior agent is silent for a few minutes thinking the situation over. “I see your point. We thank you for your kind offer; we’ll watch the program from your house. We’ll speak with your daughter after the program closes.”

              “Thank you. I have to hurry; they are going to start very soon.”

              Wolf has been watching the interaction between Sharon and the Department of Child Safety, he walks outside to speak with the officers. “Hello officers, I’m Wolf, is there anything I can do to assist your investigation?”

              “Sir, we thank you, however we think we have the situation under control.”

              “Officer, we can’t have an event during the broadcast. I’m sure President Bloomberg would be very upset if this turns out to upset Mrs. Smith to the point she can’t perform. Why don’t I call him and we can discuss the situation with him directly.”

              The senior officer asks, “You have his private number on your phone?”

              “Of course, I do, don’t you?”

              “No, sir, we don’t. I don’t think we need to bother the President. I’m sure we can write this situation up as a misunderstanding.”

              “Officers, I, and I’m sure President Bloomberg, thank you for your understanding. I’m sure he wouldn’t like Mrs. Smith arrested live on international television; I can imagine what would happen to your careers if that happened. I’m sure you know the President watches every episode of the program. Before we begin, I’d like to ask if you could park your car down the street, so it doesn’t show in the opening scenes. I’m sure your commanding officer wouldn’t like to have one of her cars in the program.”

              “Oh yes, thank you, we’ll move it right away.”

              The officers return in less than three minutes; they were handed a jacket from CNN to wear so their uniforms are covered in case the camera got them in one of the scenes. Wolf whispered, “Put these on and don’t speak when we’re filming.”

              At the stroke of 8:00 PM, the cameras roll, Wolf and Sean are seated next to Jason and Sharon. Everyone is smiling and waving into the camera. Scott is sitting on the love seat while Sissy sits in a chair next to her mother. Sean says, “Welcome everyone. We’re happy to see you again. We’re back in Beaverton, Oregon, with the Smith family. We’re sorry we missed you on Friday; we had a roller coaster ride, one Wolf and I, hope we never have to ride again. We’ve just been handed some news I’d like to share with our courageous flight crew. Our corporate headquarters and the airline have announced an exclusive long-term agreement whereby our brave flight crew, who saved all of us, will be the exclusive flight crew for all of our broadcasts. I’d like to introduce the pilot who brought our airplane down with one engine gone in the middle of cross winds that exceeded the safety margin. Captain Rogers went ahead with the landing because two of our crew were injured and required medical treatment. We owe him our lives. Ladies and gentlemen, Captain Rogers.” The camera shifts to focus on the captain who says, “My copilot who worked as hard as I did to save the airplane, Commander Wilson, and our flight attendants, Marsha, Ruth and Bonnie.”  Everyone applauds the flight crew.