Once again, Junior found himself walking the steps leading up to New York Public Library. Unfortunately for him, this wasn't quite the leisure trip he had expected.
JUNIOR
Why the hell did you have to come along?!
AMANDA
You've heard mom... You are not allowed to be on your own. Last time you ABANDONED me at the lake with Grampa, so it's only fair I come with you.
Amanda had been adamant about coming. School had not started yet, so their mother had agreed. The only condition was, she was not allowed to let Junior out of her sight.
JUNIOR
You know Konos is not going to allow you to come in with me...
AMANDA
Yeah, right... Remember to step off your high horse before coming in with me. I go where you go. Period.
Junior took a deep breath. It was not the trip he had expected at all.
The whole block around Bryant Park had been cordoned off. Konos had been shut in that temple of knowledge for three weeks now, all on his own. The only exception was the Head Librarian, entrusted with the task of assisting Konos in finding what he needed.
He was waiting for them just outside the main entrance.
DR. DAWSON
Hello Junior, I am Dr. Richard Dawson. I am the Head Librarian here at our Main Branch. It's so nice to meet you.
JUNIOR
Thank you, Dr. Dawson, it's nice to meet you too.
DR. DAWSON
And you must be Amanda. Nice to meet you too.
AMANDA
Correct.
Said Amanda with a smile.
AMANDA
Thank you for allowing me to come too.
DR. DAWSON
Quite okay, Konos seemed excited to meet you both.
Amanda smiled again, but took care not to look at Junior. She knew that acting superior would annoy Junior way more than saying anything.
As they entered the library, Junior asked
JUNIOR
What is Konos like, Dr. Dawson?
DR. DAWSON
Actually I was going to ask you, Junior...
JUNIOR
How so? I understand you have been here with him the whole time...
DR. DAWSON
You know Junior... Konos... is not very talkative.
JUNIOR
Yes... I get that... his vocabulary is very limited...
DR. DAWSON
Actually, he learns at an astonishing speed. Konos has read through most of our collection during these past three weeks. And that includes texts in many different languages!
AMANDA
Has he found anything he likes?
DR. DAWSON
He's grown quite fond of Isaac Asimov I believe...
AMANDA
I like this Konos fellow already...
JUNIOR
He doesn't talk much, but he does want to talk to me? Why is that?
DR. DAWSON
He hasn't said.
Time and again, Konos had refused to talk to any of the heads of state who had approached him. That made his request to speak with Junior all the more mysterious.
DR. DAWSON
We will find out soon enough. He usually reads in here.
Sure enough, Konos was sitting down in an armchair close by; all around him stood precarious towers of books. He was so focused on the book he was reading, Volume 10 of Encyclopaedia Britannica, that he didn't notice them entering the room.
DR. DAWSON
Konos, Your friend has arrived...
Konos took notice, and immediately stood up.
KONOS
Junior! It's great to see you again! How are you?
He strode across the room and shook Junior's hand with great fervor.
KONOS
You see? That's what you taught me!
JUNIOR
That's right!
Said Junior, enthusiastically shaking Konos' hand.
JUNIOR
It's great to see you too.
KONOS
And you are his sister, Amanda Space! You look a lot alike!
AMANDA
Correct. It's nice to meet you Konos. You speak English very well.
Konos laughed out very loudly. His laughter echoed in the empty rooms, over the packed shelves.
KONOS
Thank you for your kindness, Amanda.
Amanda smiled and bowed her head.
KONOS
Also, thank you, for reminding me how to laugh... I had almost forgotten...
There was a moment of silence, then Konos continued
KONOS
Anyway, I wanted to speak to you.
Konos glanced at Dr. Dawson, who promptly left the room.
Junior didn't wait for Konos to continue. He wanted, he needed to know.
JUNIOR
Why do you want to talk to me? Why not Miyamoto, or the president?
Konos looked at Junior in the eyes, then said
KONOS
Let me talk to you about Spira.
