The Laptop
Beth went to the laughing-clown invention. She yanked its power cord out of the socket. The machine’s lights stopped blinking. The clown’s cackling slowed to silence.
“Who’s got the last laugh now?” Beth asked it.
A laptop computer sat open on a nearby table. Beth walked over and looked at the screen. It was dark. She touched the space bar. The screen lit up.
Documents about World Cup soccer opened. She reached to open a new tab. But then she stopped. She should get Eugene’s permission to use the computer.
Beth went to the intercom and pushed the talk button.
“Eugene?” she said into the box. Beth was answered by a burst of static. “May I use the laptop in the workroom?” she asked.
Then she heard Eugene say something. Beth couldn’t understand it all. But he ended by saying, “An excellent idea.”
“Thanks, Eugene,” she said.
Beth returned to the laptop. She pulled up the browser’s history. Someone had been researching natural disasters. Beth found web pages saved. There was information on tidal waves, earthquakes, and floods.
There were also a few word-processing documents on the laptop. One had been created only yesterday. It contained some numbers and a couple of strange words:
40.8167 north
14.4333 east
4,203 feet
cave canem
Beth picked up the laptop. She went to the intercom and pushed the talk button.
“Eugene,” she said.
The intercom speaker gave a burst of static. In the noise was Eugene’s voice. Then the static stopped. “The vast electrical surge has impacted the system in a variety of ways. This may take a while to fix.”
Beth pushed the button again. “I think I found something. It looks like a document Mr. Whittaker created. I think it’s the last program for the Imagination Station!”
The soldiers moved into a tight circle. They stood shoulder to shoulder.
Patrick’s breath came in short gasps. The thick air burned his lungs. He couldn’t see through the ring of spears. There wasn’t a gap large enough to squeeze through. He was trapped.
Valen seemed to stand taller in the face of danger. He tilted his head toward Patrick.
“Have you heard the good news, boy?” Valen whispered.
“Yes, sir,” Patrick said quietly. He swallowed to keep his mouth from drying out. “Jesus died to save us from our sins.”
“Anybody can die, boy,” Valen said. “The good news also tells us that Jesus Christ conquered death. He rose from the grave.”
“Yes, sir,” Patrick said with a nod. He silently prayed that he wouldn’t die now to prove Valen’s statement.
“Lower your weapons, guards,” a man shouted. He pushed his way through the soldiers. He wore a senator’s toga like Rufus.
The soldiers looked confused.
The man stood between the soldiers and Patrick. “This is the Forum. It is for debate and discussion. We will not have bloodshed here.”
The soldiers lowered their swords and spears.
Rufus fumed. His face was still as red as his hair. His hands were clenched in fists. “Cosmus, this is none of your business.”
Cosmus ignored him and said to the soldiers, “The last tremor damaged the treasury. We need extra guards at the temple of Jupiter.”
Most of the guards hurried away across the grass. Only two remained nearby. They stood at attention next to a pillar.
Patrick sighed with relief.
Valen leaned on his staff. He looked weak again.
Rufus stepped up to Cosmus. He said, “Didn’t you hear what the old man said? He dishonors our gods.”
Cosmus looked at Rufus and spoke calmly. “And you dishonor our law. Valen is a Roman citizen. He can’t be punished without a trial.”
Rufus’s nose twitched. Then he pointed at Patrick. “This boy defied me in front of the guards. He should be whipped,” he said.
Whipped! Patrick took a step backward. He glanced at the two guards. He wondered if he could outrun them.
“The boy was defending a Roman citizen,” Cosmus said. “He showed great courage. You will not have him whipped.”
Rufus opened his mouth as if he might say something. Then he turned to Valen and shook a finger at him. “Stay out of the Forum, old man,” he said.
Rufus turned on his heel and marched away. The two Roman guards followed him.
Valen smiled at Cosmus. “I owe you thanks,” Valen said. “Because of you, I will live to preach another day.”
Cosmus shook his head as if in wonder. “I saved your life this time, Valen,” Cosmus said. “I may not be around next time.”
“Maybe next time you will join me. We can preach the good news together,” Valen said.
Cosmus frowned. “My wife believes in your God. But that doesn’t mean I ever will.”
“I’m a Roman senator,” Cosmus said. “My belief is in the power of the state. And my duties are to its needs. Which is why I must see to the temple treasury.”
“Give your wife, Grata, my regards and blessing,” Valen said.
Cosmus stepped close to Valen and said, “Rufus hates Christians. Stay out of his way, or you will suffer.”
“If I suffer for Christ, then I suffer gladly,” Valen said.
Cosmus snorted. Then he eyed Patrick. “What’s your name, boy?” the senator asked.
“Patrick,” he said.
“That is a variation of Patricius. Are you the son of a nobleman?” Cosmus asked.
“My father is a noble man,” Patrick said.
“Well, Patrick, see to it that Valen is taken somewhere safe,” Cosmus said. He pulled a coin out of his tunic. He tossed it to Patrick.
Patrick wasn’t fast enough to catch it. The coin landed in the grass.
Cosmus turned to walk away. Patrick realized this might be his only chance. He had to warn Cosmus about the volcano.
“Sir,” Patrick called out, “that mountain is going to explode.”
Cosmus turned around again. “What did you say?”
Patrick pointed at the mountain peak. It loomed over the Forum from the west. “Everyone in Pompeii will die if they don’t leave. You can order them to go!”
Cosmus laughed. “You and the old man are a funny pair,” he said. “Valen believes that everyone can live forever. Yet you believe we are all going to die.”
The senator turned and walked away.
“Wait!” Patrick said. He was about to chase after the senator. But Valen gripped Patrick’s arm tightly.
“You’re right about the mountain,” Valen said in a low voice. He let go of Patrick’s arm. “A trial by fire is coming for Pompeii.”
“We have to do something to warn the people,” Patrick said.
Valen’s eyes seemed to glow with purpose. “Follow me,” the old man said.