Chapter 6
Family
I
Henry knocked on the doorframe to Uktu office, and waited for a response. The door was open, but she appeared to be on the phone. She was talking at length to someone who was not there. He was not waiting long before she waved him into her office.
“Hello Henry, you look good after such a long day. We have some financial paperwork to take care, then Ms. Roberts needs to see you in her office,”
“Okay,” he said. Henry sat in the chair in front of her desk.
“Well I guess we should get the important stuff out of the way first. Ms. Roberts and I have monitored your progress today. You did a good job, and Ms. Roberts would like to offer you a permanent job. Would you like to continue working here in the evenings after school, assuming of course, that your parents agree?” she asked. Henry had enjoyed his first day very much; the idea that he would not be able to continue being a keeper had never occurred to him until this moment. It took him a second to realize that Uktu had said more than that he had done a good job, she said that he needed his parents permission to keep working.
“Uktu, I would really like to keep working, but I do not know how to I handle the parent issue. I know that a lot of Earthlings do not know about the ITS, so how does that work?” he asked.
“Ms. Roberts is handling the parent permission paperwork with your father. As for the other question, as a keeper on Earth you are entitled to certain rights. You are allowed to tell your immediate family, they are even allowed to travel through the ITS for free, as long as you are the keeper who opens the gates. If another keeper has to perform the opening, because you are either, unavailable on the date of travel, or the gate is above your ability level, then you must reimburse the ITS for the cost of the opening, or open a gate of the same level for gratis during your next shift. Do you understand?” she asked. Henry was relieved that Roberts was going to try to explain this whole situation to his parents, he was not even sure how he would begin. Henry was excited, not only did he not have to hide his awesome new job from his parents, but could take them places around the universe. He didn’t know enough of the universe yet to have any idea about where he would take them, but was ecstatic about the fact the possibility was there.
“Excuse me, while I make a quick call to Roberts, and see if I should proceed. While I do that, I want you to think about the Union question,” she said, then tapped a few buttons on her computer screen, and spoke. Henry realized the earpiece built into the glasses as part of their uniform was functioning like some kind of phone headset. He could not hear what Roberts was saying but he could hear Uktu’s side of the conversation.
“Hello, Ms. Roberts…Yes, I have him hear now. He agreed to continue working…. I will process his paperwork then, and send him to you in moments…. yes, all that is left is for him to sign his union, and bank forms…Yes I will send him in, shortly.” She finished speaking, and tapped another button on her computer.
“Okay, Henry it seems that your father has signed the paperwork, so lets get you finished up. As far as the union goes it is not required, but encouraged. I don’t currently have any keepers employed at this station who are not union workers, would you like to join?” she asked. Henry had thought long, and hard on this question if they were really as bad as Amica said they were he did not really want to join, but then even she had encouraged him to just do it.
“I will join, “ he said.
“Okay, sign here, and here please,” she said indicating two spots on a piece of paper she slid across the desk. He signed, and passed the paperwork back. She punched out a piece of the application, and slid it back across her desk to him. “This is your temporary Union Card, please keep it in your wallet at all times, until your official card arrives,” she said. Henry took his wallet out of his back pocket, and put it behind his driver’s license.
“There is one last thing we need to take care of, and that’s money. You get paid at the end of each shift. I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of opening you a couple of account with the ITS credit bureau through the Earth branch. With two accounts I can separate your money into intergalactic credits, and U. S. dollars. You will get paid in intergalactic credits. If you wish I could convert a portion of your check into dollars using the daily rate of exchange; then deposit the funds into the proper account at the end of each shift. I tied both accounts to a single checkbook, and debit card. If it that will work for you I just need to know how you want your money broke down each day,” she paused to wait for Henry’s approval.
“That sounds great Uktu, but what about taxes, and all of those Earth things; won’t the government wonder where all the money is coming from?” he asked.
“Very good question Henry, the ITS Credit bureau is located in Switzerland where the privacy laws are different. Your money goes directly into an account that is untraceable by your government, but still allows you to pay for things using the check, and debit format that is still in use on Earth. You can even use an ATM to access cash from your U.S. dollar account. I just need to know how you want to split your money between the accounts, that is if the financial arrangements meet with your approval.”
“It sounds amazing Uktu, thank you for doing all of that work to protect me, I really appreciate it. What would you suggest is a good amount of intergalactic credits to deposit into my account? I am not really sure how much everything costs,” Henry said.
“I think if you converted 100 credits a shift into American money that would allow you to still accumulate enough money that would allow you to have a healthy Earth account, and a healthy credit balance as well,” she said as she typed a few numbers into her computer.
“With today’s exchange rate if you converted 100 credits from today’s paycheck you would deposit 530 credits, and 1300 dollars into each account respectively, does that meet with your approval?” she asked.
“Yes, sounds more than fine, can I change it later if it doesn’t work?” he asked.
“You may, just come by my office, and let me know if you need to change anything. At the end of each shift you will be prompted by your tablet to confirm the transfer of funds to each account. It will also give you a read out of your current bank balance. You can also access the balance information on the bank’s website from your home computer, or any web enable device,” she said. She slid a folder with a form on the top of it across the desk.
“I just need you to sign the signature card for the bank, and you are all set. Today’s check has been deposited. In the folder you will find the debit card, it will work at any place that takes a Visa card on Earth, and any where that accepts intergalactic credits through out the universe. There is a book of 100 checks, and an order form. The bank offers many varieties of checks that you can order from their website as well. In the folder you will also find a copy of your agreement with the bank, it list interest rates, any fees, and the privacy laws that protect your anonymity. That is all I have for you. Ms. Roberts will speak to you about your schedule. Do you have any questions?” she asked. Henry shook his head no, and she stood, and offered her hand.
“Welcome to the team Henry, you could really go a long way with the ITS. I will see you latter,” she said. Henry stood, and went to Ms. Roberts door; he knocked politely. He heard her voice from the other side of the door ask who it was; he gave his name, and she gave him permission to enter.
II
Henry walked into the office, and was surprised to find his father sitting across the desk from Ms. Roberts.
“Henry, I hear your first day went very well; your father, and I were just discussing hours for the rest of the week. We were thinking 4 hours each evening, and a full 8 on Saturday. Does that work for you?” she asked.
“If it’s okay with Dad it sounds fine,” he said.
“Henry, I told your father that we are a travel agency. I thought that you could take him out on the floor and show him the nature of what you will be doing
for us here. Bill, why don’t you go down stairs, and get Henry’s sister. Henry can show you both around the office when you come back up,” she said.
“Sure that sounds great, I’ll be right back okay Henry,” his dad said, and then left.
“Okay Henry, I thought that you could use a little help telling your family about your new job. I got them here the rest is up to you. I would suggest taking them on a little tour through the terminal, where you guys can get something for dinner. I will hold your folder here; make sure you grab your debit card to put in your wallet. Otherwise you will not be able to pay for dinner,” Roberts asked.
“So my family doesn’t know that I work in an intergalactic transportation hub?” Henry asked.
“No, I find that telling people really just leads to a drawn out conversation they do not really believe anyway. I have found over the years that Earthlings need to see somethings in order for them to really understand, and believe,” she said. Henry realized that given his age, and love of books that he could probably spend the next week talking about this place, and his father would think it was a story Henry read somewhere.
Henry’s sister Shelly entered the room first; she was a year younger then Henry, and about two inches shorter than he was. She had wavy brown hair, and a slight build. She was wearing jeans, and a long sleeved red tee shirt with the school mascot on it. They argued about stuff like the television channel, and chores, but he they really did get along most of the time. She walked over, and gave him a hug.
“Hey, look at you. That uniform looks good on you, Dad says you’re going to show us your new job then we’re going out for dinner to celebrate, too bad mom had to work,” she said cheerily. Henry thought to himself that when she wasn’t driving him nuts his sitter was one of his favorite people. She was always so cheery about most situations, even when she lost an argument she did it with a smile, as if to say oh well I didn’t really want the TV. I just wanted to mess with you. Of all the people in his life he had hid the bullying from, Henry thought he was the most ashamed about hiding it from Shelly.
Henry was about to leave Ms. Roberts office through the door to the terminal when Roberts spoke.
“Henry when you are finished remember that I have your clothes, so you will need to check your tech back in with me before you head home,” Roberts said. Henry had totally forgotten all about his other clothes.
“Yes, Ms. Roberts thank you for reminding me,” Henry said nervous about what he was about to do.
“You’ll do fine Henry, the first time is the hardest,” Ms. Roberts said encouragingly.
“Thanks,” he said grateful for the support. “Okay guys we are going to go through the door behind Shelly to start the tour,” He walked over to the door, and held it open for his family. He looked to see if Uktu’s door was open, but her light was off. She must have returned to what ever planet she called home. He closed the door behind them, and led the way down the long hallway that led to the main terminal. He walked part way down the hallway, and he felt his dad, and sister slowing down. The long wall of windows was dark due to the sun having set, but the view of the stars, and moons out the window were beautiful. There were two moons visible in the sky above the garden, and his family seemed to have noticed them.
“Henry where are we?” Shelly asked.
“Well remember how Ms. Roberts said that I worked for a travel agency, well she was not exactly lying, but she did not tell the whole truth either,” Henry said working up to the truth. Henry’s father tore his eyes away from the window to look at him.
“Henry what’s going on,” his dad said.
“Our travel destinations are not all located on the surface of the Earth, in fact we are not currently standing on Earth, we are on a planet near the intersection of the Galactic bar, and the Sagittarius arm of the Milky Way. Welcome to the Milky Way Terminal of the Intergalactic Transit System,” Henry said.
“When you say not all on the surface of the Earth, do you mean space?” Shelly asked.
“I guess that depends on how you define space, we are on a planet that is not Earth, so if you consider that to be space then yes, but we are not floating weightless in a ship. Dad how are you doing you look a little green,” Henry asked his father. “Why don’t we go sit down, there’s a nice bench right around the corner,” Henry said, leading them the rest of the way down the hall, and through the doorway. He led them to the benches along the arch of windows, and helped his father to sit down.
“Henry, what exactly is going on here, and how did you get involved?” his dad asked. Henry pointed to all of the creatures going about their business. Like before there were creatures of all shapes, sizes, and even colors going about their business. Before he could explain a tall, orange, humanoid creature with gills on her neck approached him. The creature must breath water Henry thought, because she was wearing a backpack filled with water that had hoses that went to clear breathing covers that were attached to the gills on either side of her neck. With the exception of the gills, and the breathing equipment, she looked like an average human female who happened to be orange.
“Excuse me sir, I am lost can you help me?” She asked. She was not speaking English. It sounded like a series of gargles, and dolphin clicks, but Henry’s universal translator provided a translation in his ear. Henry knew he was off the clock, but he was still in uniform so he decided the nice thing to do would be to help her. He pulled his tablet from his suit pocket.
“Where can I help you go?” Henry asked.
“I am looking for Intergalactic Gate 24,” she gurgled. Henry looked over his map of the station, and located IG 24 on his map then provided her with directions.
Henry turned to talk to his family, and found them staring at him like he had things growing out of his head.
“Sorry but she needed directions, and I’m in uniform so I figured it was the right thing to do. Now what was it you asked, oh right. This place is kind of like O’Hare airport for the Milky Way. The people here are traveling to other parts of the universe,” Henry said.
“When did you learn to speak fish anyway,” Shelly asked impressed.
“What? Oh, that was the uniform. It translates languages into an earpiece on my glasses, and a speaker in my suit coat translated my words back to her. Don’t be rude, imagine what we must look like to other species,” Henry said.
“Henry, I just have one more question if we could just focus,” Henry’s dad said interrupting Shelly, and Henry’s conversation. “How did you get this job?” Henry was not sure how to answer his question. There were so many things that happened because of his being bullied, that he did not know how he was going to tell this story. His mind latched on the story Roberts had initially told his dad about the broken snow blower.
“Well that is actually kind of a long story, see Ms. Roberts is the Terminal Director here. She is in charge of running this place, and the other day when I was there to help her shovel, I opened the front gate to go get a shovel off the porch. It turns out that the front gate was special. See the way the terminal works is through a series of gates. That is how we came here; the door from Roberts’s office was a gateway. Well, it turns out that not everyone can open the gates; they have a special group of people called Gate Keepers who maintain, and operate the gateways. After she saw me open her front gate she offered me a job this morning. Today was my first day; we get paid every day; so I thought we would go out for dinner, my treat,” Henry said.
“How much do you make a day, that you are taking us out to dinner?” Shelly asked.
“I don’t get paid by the day, I actually get paid for each gate I open, and I made 630 credits today. See the universe operates on a standard monetary unit called credits, now if you want planet specific money, you have to convert it at the currency exchange, and that depends on the exchange rate. How you doing dad, his father was actually looking at him with a newfound respect.
“You really seem to be handling th
is whole situation pretty well Henry, I’m proud of you. I think I am ready to see a little more, where are we going for dinner?” his dad asked.
“It’s a surprise, but I am pretty sure you’ll like it,” Henry said thinking of the sandwich shop Amica had taken him to for lunch.
“Henry I appreciate you wanting to take us out to dinner, but I don’t want you spending your whole paycheck on us,” his dad said.
“I’m not. Like I said I made 630 credits today. I converted 100 credits to U.S. dollars, and the exchange rate was really good today,” Henry said.
“How much did you actually get after the exchange rate, anyway?” his sister asked.
“Shelly! It’s rude to ask your brother about money.”
He decided he should just come right out, and tell them. “The U.S. dollar is not a frequently used currency in the universe, so the exchange rate is 1 credit to 13 dollars. The human resource lady helped me set up a bank account this afternoon.” Henry said. His sister stopped dead in her tracks. She was always good at math, and Henry was pretty sure he knew what was coming next.
“Are you saying that all together you made,” she paused doing math in the air with her finger “eight thousand, one hundred, and ninety dollars today!” she exclaimed.
“I suppose, yeah that sounds right, but like I said I only changed 100 credits so that I would have credits to buy lunch, and stuff when I’m at work.” Henry said. He knew his sister was going to make a big deal out of the money issues, but he was stating to get tired.
“Come, on I’m hungry.