Q185

"Finally he has touched something within her."

Gregor paused and reflected.

"And I thought I had failed in his creation."

Mary looked at her husband. She had known everything about him- his life's work, his most intimate thoughts and beliefs. But only now did she really understand that the labor of love that was his tin man was all for the love of his daughter.

Cue concealed his work. There was only the repetitive noise of scratching and pulling in quick intervals. Alice sat patiently on a fat rock, legs crossed and hands folded, leaning forward on occasion when the object in Cue's hands sparsely showed itself.

The robot worked laboriously, purposefully. One arm worked in and out while the other turned something around and around.

"Cue, what is it? What are you making? Can I see it yet?" Allie shouted excitedly.

"Almost, Allie. Just a moment more- there. I am done."

Alice jumped up and ran to him. Cue held up a wooden doll.

"It is a friend for your fine lady."

Alice looked at it in awe It was a masterfully crafted wooden figure, articulated at every joint, even the fingers, about twelve inches tall. It was an exact scale miniature of himself.

"A wooden man!" exclaimed Allie.

Cue watched her face light up as she took the figure from his hands. Then she grabbed the android around the neck and gave him a hug.

A wooden man, she had said.

Mary called Cue into the den.

"Cue, Gregor is concerned about the base content in the river water supply. He thinks it’s being contaminated upstream and wants some sample tests by this afternoon."

Cue nodded and turned to leave.

"Mommy," interrupted Alice. "Can I go with Cue? Uh, if it’s all right...."

She looked at Cue approvingly.

"It is fine with me, Mrs. Downs."

"Fine, but be careful, Allie. That river can be very strong at times."

"I will watch her closely," answered Cue.

Allie grabbed her wooden man and hurried after the android. Cue went into the basement and packed some test tubes and filament papers, then returned out front where he found Allie already leading the way.

"C’mon, Cue- c’mon!"

They walked a long time. Allie skipped ahead into some dense trees. The android could hear the roar of the river some distance away. Mindful of his responsibilities, he hurried his pace until he was right behind Allie.

"Allie," he cautioned, "this is a severe opening in the river’s course. Do not get too close. The footing is very bad."

Allie nodded and stopped by a lone tree where she sat down in the shade and played with her doll.

Cue was working along the riverbank, taking water samples. Alice alternated between watching him work and playing with her doll.

Two feet planted next to where she was sitting. Alice looked up to see the crooked face of Gouche. He looked down at her seriously. Behind him were twenty men, moving quietly and looking around him at the silvery figure crouched by the waterside.

They passed the tree, a mob moving like a large, fat body. The head, Gouche, quickened his pace until he was upon the android.

It was then that Alice realized. This mob had long, wooden arms- extensions of itself, stingers from a horde of scorpions. She cried out.

"Quick!"