Chapter 22
Potluck
Springtime: A small town in New England
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was the biggest bean supper anyone could remember! Even the really old people, who couldnt remember how many of these things theyd been too, couldnt remember such a showing. It was a humungous success. Theyd received so many RSVPs that they had to rent a large tent and set it up in the frigged-up looking lawn next to the church - the church was going to be open and everything, so people could use the kitchen or in case you have to use the bathroom, but the tent was where everyone would eat. The tent company also rented tables and chairs for awesome events like this. So they got a discount and they only had to make one call, which was both convenient and cost effective. Derek was there with Delilah, who brought a delicious leek risotto (just a fancy name for rice casserole). Jason and Veronica were there obviously, and they brought some friends why not. Veronicas sister had made a vegetarian pot pie and Jasons friend Barry was going to play folk songs on the guitar. The president was even coming! And he had talked to Barry a few nights before and Barry was a little drunk and they had decided that they should both bring their guitars. A few of the more liberal and easy going death robots who had decided to join human society came too. They brought robot food for themselves, and who can blame them, but one of them had researched human food on our Internet and tried to make some potato salad and it wasnt even that bad for her first try 167
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So people started to show up around 3:30 PM and stuff and they brought their food and they put it on the food table and everything. Lots of people brought beer and wine and coffee brandy and everything. The church suppers were usually chem-free, but everyone had been through a lot with all the trouble surrounding the greed robots and the possible end of mankind. So they ate and hung out and everything. They drank beer and wine and coffee brandy. Veronica had definitely influenced the menu. This time around there were far less trans-fats, and far more different types of vegetables. People even seemed to enjoy them. The vegetarian pot pie was actually quite a success, if you can believe it! If you want, Ill get the recipe from her and give it to you. The music that Barry and the president played was good too. But they should have talked a little bit more about their folk music set list. Barry was into traditional songs and the president was more into Billy Joel. * * *
Evening came slowly over the hills. People drank beers and coffee brandy and watched the sun setting like people have done for hundreds of years. Veronica and Delilah sat comfortably in the grass a short bit away from the tables under a large maple tree and reminisced about their adventures and talked about their boyfriends. Jason was playing Frisbee with some small kids and he was throwing it too hard for them. And then there was Derek. Derek passed on the Frisbee but stood near by, watching with a wholesome satisfaction. And then he turned and looked at Veronica and Delilah, two lovely chicks just sitting there. They were his people. 168
The president and Barry had just finished up another bunch of music songs, and the commander in chief came over to talk to the gang. He was totally psyched about the music and his performance and the pot pie and the battle for earth and the triumph of the USA. What did you think of our set? The president asked. Nobody had been listening. Oh, yeah. It was really good. You guys are really good together. I mean with the guitars and everything, Delilah said. Veronica nodded. Yeah, and you guys didnt even practice or anything beforehand? No, the president shook his head enthusiastically. The President of the United States sat down in the grass next to the girls. You could tell he was pretty happy with the way everything turned out. You guys really pulled it off. I still cant believe it, said Delilah, politely. You know, if you guys hadnt come along with your van and everything, I dont know what would have happened. I just wanted to come over and say thank you, again. The girls smiled. Not knowing what to say. Derek sat down next to the president (but not that close) and stretched out his legs. It was pretty crazy, he said after a moment. He took an awesome beer drink. The president nodded enthusiastically as he watched Derek drink his drink. Delilah turned from her friends and looked up into the sky. Her face turned from a smile to a stern stare. She was thinking of things. She turned back and looked at the president. 169
What She began, but didnt know what to say. And then, how do we know that this wont happen again? The president nodded in a very sincere way. I appreciate your concern, and thank you for that question. Ive already begun working on a multipoint plan of action. Its big, there are either twelve or eleven points, I forget, but theres a bunch of them. Weve introduced sharing legislation into congress. The senate in working on a helping-each-other-out bill. Weve proposed a new cabinet position of secretary of kindness. Delilah nodded. Veronica seemed impressed. Derek smiled, almost smirked. Im not going to sugarcoat it, the president continued, its not going to be easy. Were in for some hard work, and sacrifice. But if we all pull together, I think we can get this thing done. Delilah looked back up at the sky. She couldnt help thinking that it actually wasnt that hard, it wasnt like a bunch of work to say hello to the mail carrier, or help some old dude out of the grocery store with his groceries. Nor did she really believe it was a thing that needed to get done. It was a state of being. Be aware of the community and help eachother out. Try not to talk on you phone so much while youre driving, its unnecessary and you might cause an accident. Dont watch all four sitcoms/reality shows every night. Take a walk once in a while to reduce your risk of heart disease. Recycle. Just try to think about your community sometimes. If youre in a position of power, dont abuse it. Try to use the backs of sheets of paper for your grocery lists. Be cool. Thats all. 170