“Never again . . .” she promised, and burped again.
Pumpkin Croquettes
Serves Four
1/2 lb. minced pork, 1 tbsp. liquid cream (or cream used in coffee),
1-1/3 lbs. pumpkin, 1 tsp. salt, One-half round onion, pinch of pepper,
1 tbsp. butter
Coating
a generous amount of flour, whipped egg, breadcrumbs
Garnishing:
2 leaves of cabbage, 1 whole tomato, cooking oil to taste
(1) Remove the skin of the pumpkin, and cut into bite-sized pieces. Boil until soft and drain. Mash well while hot, then let cool.
(2) Dice the onion, then lightly sauté with the pork and butter in a frying pan. Let cool.
(3) Combine the ingredients from (1) and (2), adding the cream, salt and pepper, forming 12 patties. Create the coating by first covering in flour (dusting the rest off), egg and bread crumbs, then drop in 170-degree cooking oil until medium brown.
(4) To create the garnishing, slice the cabbage, cut the tomato into eight sections, and serve on a plate with the croquettes.
Chapter Twelve
Or, A (Not So) Healthy Dose of Interviews!
Ken and Sasha were folding clothes in the living room and watching TV when the phone to the Goldwrite household rang. Ken picked it up and after his greeting, heard a familiar voice on the other end.
“Hello, Mister Goldwrite.”
“Hi, Amelta. Long time no hear. What do I owe the pleasure of this call?”
“I’m calling just to remind you the television crew will be doing their interviews next week. Remember we talked briefly about it when your tenants arrived?”
“Yeah, I remember.”
“Good! I told the station that Saturday would be good for you, but I wanted to confirm it with you.”
“It doesn’t look like it will be a problem. What kind of interviews are they going to be?”
“They’re going to ask your tenants about what they think of Earth. Then they’ll ask you for your opinion of your tenants.”
“Got it.”
“Good! It’s going to be a special broadcast with some interviews of otherworlders that live in the tri-state area. The interviewer will be coming the day before just to get a feel for things.”
“Well then, see you next week,” she said, and then hung up the phone.
Sasha picked up a shirt and started folding it. “What was that about?”
Ken picked up a pair of jeans and did the same. “A television crew is coming by and doing interviews of all of you here. They want to hear what you think about Earth.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because Earthlings want to know about other people’s lives. I remember my parents talked about a boom of something called ‘reality television’ when I was younger. I was too young to remember television back then, but I recall they said they were glad when the television stations got out of that rut.”
* * *
“Television interviews?” Natalia asked.
Ken found the best time to get them all together and talk was during dinner.
“Yes. I guess they’re going to ask you all about your time here on Earth and what you think about it. They’ll be coming next week on Saturday. Have you done any interviews before?”
“Very rarely. They had a program where they wanted to know about the lives of the families of corporate leaders.”
“I heard there used to be a show like that here on Earth. They would go to the homes of rich people and show you what kind of houses they had and what they had in them. I think it was called ‘Lives of the Rich and Famous’.”
“Something like that.”
“We’ve only been here a little while,” Alisa concluded. “Isn’t it a little too early?”
Ken shrugged. “I think so, too, but what’s the harm?”
Katrina hopped up and down in her seat. “Are we really going to be on TV!?”
“It sure looks like it. You seem excited about it.”
“I am!”
Ken cleared his throat. “I trust everyone is going to be kind when you respond to the questions. And, well, I think you all know that you shouldn’t say anything about all this time traveling stuff, and especially nothing about Silver.”
“That goes without saying,” Natalia said after swallowing her bite of food. “After all, who’d believe us?”
* * *
The following Friday, the interviewer arrived, a young, attractive woman with curly hair by the name of Sophia Carwell. She rang the doorbell.
Cassandra answered the door. “Yes?”
Sophia noticed Cassandra’s eyes, blinked in surprise, and then regained her composure. “Is . . . Mister Goldwrite here? I’m here by word of Amelta Tayon.”
“He’s making dinner. Come in.”
She stepped inside the door and waited. Cassandra went to fetch Ken, and he returned to greet her from the top of the stairs. “We’ve been expecting you. Come on up. Coffee?”
“I’d appreciate it,” she replied, walking up the stairs. She sat in the living room, and Sasha brought out coffee, and then went back into the kitchen to make dinner.
When Sophia saw Sasha in her maid uniform, she threw Ken a skeptical glance.
He threw his hands up in defense. “Hey, don’t look at me. She dresses how she wants.”
“I see. I don’t want to take up too much of your time this evening since I will also be coming by tomorrow,” she said, pulling a notepad out of her handbag. “I’d just like to ask a few questions on the background here.”
“Sure.”
“Why did you get involved in the program?”
“There was no particular reason. It seemed to be the thing to do . . . I think.”
“That’s it?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll try and think of a better reason for it.”
“You’ll be interviewed tomorrow, so do give it some thought.”
“I’ll give it a shot.”
Sophia looked around. “You have a big house. Amelta said there are six tenants here. Is that right?”
“Yes.”
“Who are they?”
“Let’s see. There’s Alisa and Cassandra, who are going to college. You just saw Sasha, and she does work around the house. Angelica is working as a nurse at a local hospital. Katrina is working on a project right now on top of her cabinet. And then there’s Natalia, who is working to make contacts for her father’s company.”
Sophia took notes as he talked.
“I just need to make sure I have enough time to interview them. Just to confirm, tomorrow is fine, right?”
“Everyone should be home, so no problems here.”
Sophia smiled. “This will certainly be interesting.”
“Not as much as living here,” Ken quipped.
* * *
The television crew arrived at ten o’clock the next morning, which consisted of Sophia and three staff to set up, take care of the cameras, and address any technical problems.
“How about we use the living room? Would it be a problem to move the furniture so we can have chairs facing each other?” Sophia asked.
Ken shook his head. “As long as you put them back how you found them.”
“Deal.”
By the time the crew set up, it was near lunch time, so Ken and Sasha made sandwiches and coffee for everyone, including the television crew.
They ate, and once done, Sophia selected the order for the interviews. Ken wasn’t allowed to watch the interviews so his tenants would be a little more candid, so he went outside to putter around in the back yard. Before he did, he asked his tenants one more time to be truthful, but gentle.
* * *
Two hours later, after Ken had finished his own interview as the last on the list, the crew broke down the equipment. Sophia finished up a number of notes, and w
as ready to leave.
She shook his hand. “Thank you, Mister Goldwrite. It certainly is lively here.”
“You’ve done interviews at other places, right? Aren’t the other visitors as, um, ‘interesting’?”
Sophia shook her head. “There are a few who are as energetic, but no one as unique as here. Maybe it’s because of the make-up of the house. After all, you have the most visitors staying with you. The most I’ve seen at another house is two. I must say your tenants are a step above the others I’ve interviewed.”
“Wow.”
Sophia laughed heartily. “Frankly, I’m wondering how you survived so far. I’ve got two kids of my own, but I can’t even begin to imagine six kids in the same house.”
“I try to take it day by day.”
Sophia put her things into her handbag. “Let’s see. This should be going on-air next Saturday. If there are any delays, I’ll let you know.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it . . . I think.”
“You think?” she asked, confused.
“I didn’t see the interviews, so I’m kind of nervous about what they said.”
Sophia smiled. “I don’t think you have to worry about that. You’d be surprised at what they were candid with.”
“Uh-oh,” he said with a look of gloom.
“See you around, Mister Goldwrite. I hope to have an update interview some time in the future.”
“Take care.”
* * *
The evening the interviews were to debut, Ken made popcorn for everyone.
“Okay everyone, the show is about to start!”
He went to each of their rooms to remind them to come and watch it.
They gathered in the living room, turned to the channel and the program started shortly thereafter.
* * *
Sophia was in a studio, standing next to a globe of the Earth about half her size.
“Good evening to our viewers at home. Our special broadcast this evening is about visitors from afar. It has been five years since we were shown we were not alone in the universe.
“In the interests of goodwill between planets in the Entine Republic, Earth has become involved in an exchange program. Otherworlders – or visitors – have been staying in our fair area, living in ways that aren’t so different than anyone else on our planet: working, studying and learning about Earth.
“Tonight we’ll be looking at some of our guests and how they’re adjusting to life on our little planet.”
* * *
There were six other otherworlders in the greater area. All were human-looking: some were short, but not as small as Katrina, and one gentleman looked like he was a bodybuilder. Most had jobs, one played sports, and the rest, like Cassandra and Alisa, were studying at a college.
They weren’t so different than Ken’s tenants in their outlook: originally a little unsure of how their experiences would turn out, but even in the short time on Earth, they found their place, and each day they learned more about the small blue marble in a secluded area of the universe they lived on. A new world, new surroundings, and new adventures.
The first hour ended, and Ken’s tenants hadn’t been featured.
That changed when the final commercial break ended.
* * *
Sophia was once again shown in the studio with the large globe.
“Now for our most unique group of otherworlders. We’ve featured visitors that were one or two to a residence, but for our final piece, there are, believe it or not, six in one house.”
(“Is she talking about us?” Katrina asked.)
(“Undoubtedly,” Ken replied.)
(“Quiet!” Natalia said. “We can’t hear the program!”)
“Kenaeth, living in the suburbs, opened his house to those from many other planets.”
The scene switched to the interior of Ken’s house, Sophia sitting in a chair across from Ken.
“Mister Goldwrite, why did you decide to open your home?”
Ken looked around at the living room, then back at Sophia. “I have a big house, and it seemed a little too empty. So, when I was offered a chance, I filled out an application. I honestly didn’t think anything would come of it.”
“Did you have any idea how many would be coming?”
“Not a clue! At first there were five, and then one arrived later.”
(“Is she talking about Sasha?” Katrina wondered.)
(“Quiet!” Natalia ordered, again.)
“The first of his tenants is Alisa Maestral, from the planet Kodominé. She’s studying electronics at a local university.
“What do you think of Earth?”
“It’s quiet. My classes seem to be interesting, and things aren’t as different as my home planet.”
“What about the other tenants?”
“They seem diligent and level headed. I think that we all get along well.”
“What about your landlord?”
“Parental material.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“It’s hard not to think of Kenaeth as anything other than a father figure while I’m staying here. His cooking is uncommonly good.”
“Is there anything you’re trying to accomplish in the short term?”
“Build a BT-BT.”
(“And I still am,” Alisa remarked.)
(“Is anyone at college helping you?” Ken asked.)
(“No.”)
“The second of Kenaeth’s tenants is Natalia Greentyme, from the planet Forshe. Her father is the head of a cosmetics company.
“Why come to Earth?”
“My father is always looking for new places to expand his business, and new markets to introduce Greentyme products to. When Earth entered the Republic, he immediately got things in motion to scout this new planet and see if it was a viable location. That’s why I’m here.”
“Any luck?”
“I’ve made a number of contacts. It’s up to him to see if this is one of the places he wishes to open up to.”
“What do you think of your fellow tenants here?”
“They are certainly an interesting group. I will say that things are not entirely what I’m used to. I have a much larger house than this one. Business is also conducted on a completely different level than on Forshe.”
“How so?”
“From what I’ve gathered, creating contacts is more interpersonal on Earth. On Forshe, both sides simply present what they have to offer, and what they intend to receive in the deal. There isn’t any, as you might say, ‘wining and dining’.”
“And what do you think of your landlord?”
“High strung, to say the least. I think his personality matches the tenants in this house, but hard as I try, I can’t put my finger on why I think that.”
(Ken turned to Natalia. “Thanks . . . I think.”)
“Our third guest is Sasha Redford from the planet Koriri. As you can see, she has a defining feature you can see immediately.
“You’re pink.”
Sasha nodded nervously. “Yes. It’s the standard skin color on Koriri.”
“Has anyone reacted oddly to it?”
“I think at first. But . . . Earthlings have seen otherworlders on television before, so I think they were just surprised to see me, not because of my skin color.”
“Are there other biological differences from humans?”
“I know Earthlings need seven to eight hours of sleep. Koririans only need four to five.”
“What do you do here?”
“Housekeeping.”
“Housekeeping?”
“Yes. Housekeeping, food preparation, laundry and other domestic tasks have been in my background for years. I entered the program for a new start and opportunities. I jumped at the chance when I was offered.”
“Do you always wear a maid uniform?”
“Most of the tim
e. I’ve been wearing clothing like this for years. Ken . . . I mean Kenaeth told me I don’t have to wear it, but this way seems more natural. And my fellow tenants don’t seem to mind.”
“Speaking of which, what do you think of the other tenants?”
“There’s a new adventure with them every day. I really do enjoy being here.”
“What about your landlord?”
“He’s been unexpectedly kind to me. He . . . went out on a limb for me, so I’m doing the best I can. I’m very grateful to him.”
(“Awww, that’s so sweet,” Katrina said.)
(Sasha turned red. “Oh, geez . . .”)
“The fourth visitor is arguably the most visually stunning of Kenaeth’s tenants. Angelica Elegance is from the planet Falldine.”
The camera was focused on Angelica. Then it pulled back, showing her wings.
“You . . . have wings,” Sophia said with a smile.
“Yes, I do.”
“Does everyone on Falldine have wings?”
“Oh, yes. It’s our signature trait.”
“I’m sure that, with your name and wings—”
“—people think I’m what you might call an ‘angel’?”
“I thought I was the interviewer here,” Sophia laughed.
“My apologies.”
“So, are you an angel?”
“Oh my, no. I’m just a person with wings. I wasn’t too familiar with the concept of an angel before I arrived here, but I’ve studied and I can see where people would get the idea that I am one.”
“What do you do here on Earth?”
“I’m a nurse in pediatrics.”
Sophia smiled. “The kids must love you.”
“Yes, they do. I have to watch myself around really young children, or they’d pluck my wings bald,” Angelica giggled.
“What do you think of Earth? Is there any particular reason you came?”
“I think Earth is a nice place. When they made an announcement about going to a new planet in the Republic, it was worth a shot. I think everyone here wanted a change of pace and experience something new. I’m no different.”
“What about your fellow tenants?”
“They’re all cute in their own way. I’m glad I’m here.”