The Prophecy Machine

19

“I don't believe this,” Finn said. “If I didn't know better, I'd say I'm having an awful nightmare. I'm not, because I'd never close my eyes in this place again. Stones and Scones, Sabatino, I despise you as a person, but I thought you had a trace of fair play. It's clear to me you don't.”

“I was only bluffing, Finn. Give me more credit than that.”

Sabatino yawned and picked his teeth with a damaged fork.

“Besides, we take our spiritual life seriously here. Nicoretti's crowd was paid handsomely at the Giving of the Goods. We don't owe him a thing, we don't need to give you away. It was all by the rules of the game.”

“Game …” Finn shook his head in disgust. “Torturing some poor devil in the marketplace. That's not a game where I come from. It's flat-out murder and assault.”

“Do I tell you what church to go to? No. Then stop complaining, dear boy, and have some more wine.”

“No thank you,” Finn said, “If I want to throw up, I'll do it on my own …”

The breakfast fare was gone, but Sabatino had kept the turnip wine. Letitia had fled to her room, taking Julia Jessica Slagg. Calabus was upstairs as well, possibly changing from filthy nightwear to something filthy for the day.

Squeen William was nowhere in sight. Finn felt he ought to hear the clatter of dishes, something going on back there. It might be washing was not the custom here. Maybe one simply threw the dishes out, or set them aside for the next meal of the day.

“I wouldn't worry,” Sabatino said, turning over his empty mug with a frown. “Father was very big in Hooters, you know. He has a bit of clout.”

“I have to worry because you've lied to me every step of the way. I don't think you can help it. I doubt you could tell the truth if you tried.”

“Please,” Sabatino moaned, “don't start that. You'll put me to sleep.”

“You lied about the ship. You lied about the old man you've got locked up in here. You lied about last night. Who sent those Foxers to do you in? The more I think about it, the more I remember that boy on the ship …”

Sabatino's face went slack at that. “Think what you like, craftsman, but keep your words to yourself. I've promised Father not to kill you. Still, as you say, I lie a great deal.”

“Right. Whatever I ask I'm wasting my time. This Dr. Nicoretti. You called him Uncle. He's your father's brother, then?”

“Thank the heavens, no.” Sabatino made a face. “And that's none of your concern.”

“Your mother's brother, then. Is your mother-Right, none of my concern. Would the doctor hire Foxers to kill you and your father? You don't seem to like each other much.”

“Nonsense.” Sabatino waved the words away. “Just because the Hatters aren't of our faith doesn't mean they're assassins as well.”

“I'd say this was more personal than church. Who, then? Unless it was the Foxer's idea, and you don't want to talk about that.”

“I haven't the foggiest idea,” Sabatino said, and from the sober, sincere cast of his eye, Finn knew he was lying again. “At any rate, don't make me tell you again. Nothing in this house is any business of yours.”

“It is if Letitia and I are stranded here, with killers roaming the halls. Last night was a-Letitia, I thought you were going to rest awhile.”

“Did you? I guess you were mistaken, Finn, as I am not up there, I'm down here.”

Letitia found a chair that worked and sat, not overly close to Finn. Sabatino chuckled beneath his breath, delighted at the tension between the two. Julia, wrapped about Letitia's shoulder, kept her snout shut, and let her ruby eyes flick about the room.

“Well, then, what's the topic of conversation?” Letitia asked, a honeyed sweetness to her voice that annoyed Finn no end. “Is it the weather? I wouldn't know if there's any, as there's not a window one can see out. And if I were to take a walk, I would be assaulted by persons in yellow hats. Or maybe someone in a mask? There are so many possibilities in this lovely spot you've brought me to, Finn.”

“All right, let's not-”

“Let's not quarrel here, Letitia? Well, where else would we quarrel, dear? There's no place else to go.” Letitia pounded the words on the arm of her chair. “We are- here-in-this-horrible place with these dreadful people, and-and-”

The storm spread across her lovely features till Finn was sure sparks would fly out of her ears.

“-and I expect WE ARE GOING TO DIE HERE!”

“Wine? Anyt'ing you bees wantin', anyonesss?”

Squeen peeked out of the kitchen, granting everyone a ghastly furry smile.

“Get him out of here,” Letitia screamed, “he's scaring me to death!”

“Letitia, I think you're overwrought.”

“Don't you tell me what I am, don't you speak to me …”

“Well, we all enjoying ourselves? Why, I could hear you clear upstairs.”

“Strike me blind,” Sabatino muttered, “What on earth are you wearing, Father?”

“What, this? Don't you tell me what to wear, you miserable wretch. This is finery, is what it is. We can't all join the circus, boy.”

“I'll argue that …”

Calabus paid no attention to his son. He had changed into a shirt of faded puce, a spangled vest of red and blue with half the spangles gone, the others hanging loosely by a thread. Mauve pants gathered at the ankles, peach velvet shoes with the toes cut out.

“Well, then.” Calabus rubbed his hands together, a childlike twinkle in his eyes. “Are you ready, Master Finn? I commend you for your patience. You have held your excitement in check.”

Finn looked puzzled. “Ready for what? I'm afraid I have no idea.”

“Ready to look upon my invention, sir, what do you think I'm talking about? That's why you're here, you know. I am not breaking all the rules of decency for my health.”

“Well said, Father.”

“Who asked you, boy?” Calabus turned on Finn. “My laboratory's in the cellar. You won't need a coat, it's really quite warm down there.”

“And I shall do my best to amuse Miss Letitia while you're gone,” Sabatino said. “We'll think of something, won't we, dear?”

“We certainly will not,” Letitia said.

“Definitely not,” Finn said. “Letitia goes with me.”

“I don't go with anyone. I am going, but I'm going by myself.”

Calabus looked pained. “No, young lady, you're not. I cannot allow you down there.”

“Why not?”

“He can't,” Sabatino said.

“I was asking him, thank you.”

“It's simply not possible.”

“Why not?”

“Please do not ask me that again,” Calabus said, “you've done it twice now.”

“How about three?”

Finn stepped to her side. Letitia pretended he wasn't there. “I'll ask it, then. Why? Is your invention dangerous in any way? Would she come to any harm?”

“Very likely not.”

“Very likely not, but what?”

“I didn't say a what.”

“You've said very little, as a fact, sir. I ask you plainly. What exactly are we going to see?”

“It defies description.”

“It does.”

“Most assuredly so.”

Finn spread his hands. “That settles it, then. Anything that defies description is something I don't care to see myself.”

Calabus sighed. “All right. It's a-mechanical device.”

“You already mentioned that. A device of what kind?”

“A device related to matters of the, ah-unhappened circumstance.”

“The what?”

Calabus rolled his eyes, his patience clearly at an end. “The unhappened future, boy. What else is unhappened but that? Damn you, sir, get your wits about you, or get left behind …!”