THREE MONTHS LATER
Remarkably, life hadn't changed much since Konos' arrival on Earth. Religion and superstition endured, and Junior was still expected to attend school. What had changed though, was Junior's popularity. Fellow students, and even teachers, constantly approached him, trying to extract information for themselves. His refusal to talk only made people want him more.
Three months earlier, Konos had escorted Amanda and Junior outside the New York Public Library.
KONOS
Let me thank you for your visit. I found our conversation very pleasant.
JUNIOR
So, are you going to save our planet?
Konos considered Junior's words, then said
KONOS
Yes, I think I will help you...
Amanda started laughing nervously.
AMANDA
Thank God...
KONOS
Quite right, but let me reassure you, humanity is not facing any dangers that it wouldn't be able to survive on its own. I won't solve your problems for you either. I plan to nudge you in the right direction, that's all. The rest is up to you.
JUNIOR
Well, I guess that's fair enough.
KONOS
Junior, Amanda, until we meet again.
He bowed to them, and without an apparent care in the world, Konos walked through the crowd and back to the bell-shaped spaceship he had left in front of the UN building.
Over the following months, Konos had toured all over Earth, visiting slums and factories, hospitals and military facilities. Perhaps out of reverence, perhaps out of fear, everyone had let him do as he pleased. Konos had also managed to avoid meeting any Heads of State. "Is he testing them?" Junior thought to himself, as he sat down to dine with his family.
The television in the living room was switched on, and it could be heard in the kitchen.
BEATRIX
About New York...
The mood in the room suddenly changed.
BEATRIX
I don't think the two of you have been completely honest with me...
AMANDA
Where are you getting this from?
Said Amanda, innocently.
During their flight home from New York, Junior and Amanda had agreed on something.
AMANDA
We are NOT telling mom what Konos said, about the Earth being in danger!
JUNIOR
Why not?
AMANDA
Because she will freak out! She will ground both of us this time!
JUNIOR
But we haven't done anything wrong!
AMANDA
I know, but...
JUNIOR
And Konos said that we are not in any immediate danger or anything.
AMANDA
Let me finish, please!
Junior shut up to listen to his sister.
AMANDA
When you came back from New York, when Konos had just arrived, mom was beside herself!
JUNIOR
Yeah, I know...
AMANDA
No you don't!
Said Amanda, sternly.
AMANDA
Every night for a week I could hear her crying herself to sleep. It was heartbreaking...
JUNIOR
I... I had no idea...
AMANDA
Of course you don't! She was scared going into it, and what did you do? You just went off with him, leaving her behind to worry!
JUNIOR
I' m sorry...
AMANDA
I' m not the one you should be saying that to.
Junior was mortified and was staring down at his feet.
AMANDA
So if she even suspects so much as a hint of anything dangerous... She might even think Konos was threatening us!
JUNIOR
He was not!
AMANDA
We may know that, but do you want to put her through it again?
JUNIOR
Alright, alright. I get it. I won't say anything.
Not wanting to make her mother worry unnecessarily, Junior had kept his mouth shut.
BEATRIX
I expect Junior not to speak much, but Amanda, you have been unusually quiet...
Junior shot Amanda a nervous look.
AMANDA
Quiet? I'm always quiet...
BEATRIX
Honey, remember when you were nine? You finished reading "From the Earth to the Moon" and for two weeks you wouldn't shut up about it!
TV
We interrupt scheduled programming for some BREAKING NEWS...
AMANDA
So?
BEATRIX
So?! You talk constantly honey, you must have noticed it by now...
AMANDA
I don't talk about New York because there's nothing to talk about...
BEATRIX
Nothing to talk about? I find that hard to believe...
TV
After months of evading authorities and journalists, he's decided to come forward...
AMANDA
Yes, really! I kept an eye on Junior and he behaved like an angel...
JUNIOR
Hey, it's not my fault!
Said Junior in a slight panic. He did not want to be grounded again.
BEATRIX
So there is something going on...
TV
A short while ago the alien named Konos entered the UN building in New York, and according to our sources...
The mention of his name made Junior jump up and sprint into the living rooom.
BEATRIX
No TV while we are eating!
Shouted his mother behind him.
TV
We can confirm that the alien has requested to speak to the United Nations General Assembly a week from now.
