Read Online Brainboy and the Deathmaster by Tor Seidler - Free Book Online

he murmured.
    “Perhaps you’d like something more modern? Try Art.’”
    Darryl typed in “Art” on the remote. Another list ofcategories appeared on the LCD panel: African, American, Australian Aboriginal, Chinese, Dutch, Egyptian, English, Flemish, French, German, Ancient Greek, Indian, Italian, Native American, Roman, Spanish … He clicked on American and soon replaced the
Mona Lisa
with colorful spatters of paint.
    “Try ‘Music,’” Mr. Masterly suggested.
    Darryl typed in “Music” and, after weeding through a bunch of categories, selected a legendary Seattle grunge band.
    “Not bad, huh?” said Mr. Masterly as a familiar rock anthem filled the room.
    “Unbelievable!”
    “Unfortunately, it can’t produce food. How about some brunch?”
    Darryl nodded enthusiastically, and Mr. Masterly pressed a button on his wrist device.
    “Hedderly, will you please bring brunch for Darryl and me in room eight?”
    His house was so big the rooms were numbered!
    “How do we get some daylight, sir?” Darryl asked.
    “You want more light?” Mr. Masterly turned a dimmer switch on the wall, and the rosy glow brightened.
    “Aren’t there any windows?” Darryl said.
    “I’m afraid not. Security.”
    This made sense. Someone as rich and powerful asKeith Masterly probably had enemies, or people who wanted to spy on him—and anyone could buzz by his house in a boat. The windows Darryl had seen in photos of the house must have been a false facade.
    “Could I make a quick call, sir? BJ and his mom’ll be worried about me. They’ll never believe I slept a whole day!”
    “Will you do me a favor first?” Mr. Masterly asked.
    “Of course!”
    “Listen to what I have to say.”
    Mr. Masterly sat back down in his red velvet chair and pointed at the one opposite. It was the most comfortable chair Darryl had ever sat in.
    “I consider myself a pretty good judge of character, Darryl, and I’ve decided you’re someone worth cultivating. You’re part of a very small elite. Do you know what ‘elite’ means?”
    “That you’re snobby?”
    “Not necessarily,” Mr. Masterly said, smiling. “It means being part of a select group. I’m speaking in terms of intellect. I think you may be a genius, Darryl.”
    “Because I get straight As?”
    “Let’s just say it’s an intuition. But the trouble is, young people with fine minds often don’t get proper encouragement and guidance, and their natural intellect ends up going to waste.”
    “You must have had proper encouragement and guidance.”
    “I was one of the lucky ones. And I want you to be one of the lucky ones, too.”
    “You do?”
    “Yes. I’ve decided to offer you a rare opportunity. In fact, the rarest in the world.”
    “What opportunity?”
    “To change the course of human history.”
    Darryl waited for Mr. Masterly to smile again, to show he was kidding. But he didn’t.

13
    “W hat do you mean, sir? Darryl asked a little breathlessly.
    “I mean there’s an opening at Paradise Lab, and I want to offer it to you.”
    “Paradise Lab? That’s PL?”
    Mr. Masterly nodded.
    “What is it?”
    “Do you know what a think tank is, Darryl?”
    “A place where people sit around thinking?”
    “More or less. Paradise is a kind of think tank. It’s become the primary focus of my life. I’ve been scaling back at MasterTech, delegating some of my responsibilities. I still enjoy dreaming up the games, but the business side has become tedious. Whereas Paradise is never tedious.”
    “Where is it?”
    “Right here in Washington State.”
    “Really? I never heard of it.”
    “It’s top secret.”
    “Is it really a paradise?” Darryl asked, flattered to be let in on something top secret.
    “Well, what do you think?”
    “Excuse me?”
    “This room is part of it.”
    “You mean it’s in your house?”
    Mr. Masterly shook his head. “We stopped by the house yesterday, then flew here last night.”
    “While I was asleep?” Darryl said, more