Read Online The Fresco by Sheri S. Tepper - Free Book Online

We are happy that our message has been brought to (…click, click, click…) General Wallace and (…click, click, click…) Congressman Alvarez by (click, click) his kinswoman, Benita Alvarez, and we ask that you take this message to the highest authorities of your nation.”
    They were abruptly back in the congressman’s office.
    â€œWhat in the hell,” breathed the general, staring down at the cube in his hands, which hummed softly inside its deep blue self.
    â€œDon’t ask me,” cried the congressman, sinking into his chair. “She brought it!”
    â€œI gathered as much,” snapped the general. “I’m not blind.”
    He turned on Benita with his brows drawn together, obviously ready to pounce. “When, madam? And where?”
    â€œWell, actually,” she said weakly, “it was Saturday. Day before yesterday. And I thought of taking it to the governor, but he’s really such a flake. And then I decided the congressman, only evidently he wasn’t authority enough, because it didn’t say a word to him…”
    â€œI’d only held it for a moment,” murmured the congressman defensively, flushing angrily.
    â€œâ€¦and they didn’t look like that, either,” she concluded, rather annoyed at the fact.
    â€œWhat do you mean?” the general demanded.
    â€œThe ones who spoke to me didn’t look like people, and their ship was in the background, and they had a reference machine they used all the time when they talked to me.”
    â€œWhat do you mean they didn’t look like people,” snarled the general.
    Her annoyance grew. “The beings who spoke to me were not humans, sir. I think they must change their appearance to be acceptable to whomever they are addressing.”
    â€œMeaning you would accept nonhumans?”
    She simmered down, thinking. “Well, I guess that’s true, yes. I would. I watch a lot of crazy things on TV, so I’ve become used to the idea. And I’ve never been afraid of animals or bugs or things.”
    â€œDon’t move,” said the general, crossing to the congressman’s desk, picking up the phone and punching in strings of numbers. He turned his back on them and mumbled into the mouthpiece, covering his mouth with his hand. The cube, left behind on the low table, began to squeal.
    Benita picked it up and patted it into quiet.
    â€œHow much did they pay you?” asked the congressman.
    â€œFive thousand dollars,” she said, without a moment’s hesitation. If they searched her purse or her hotel room, that’s what they’d find, or what was left of it after she had paid for the airfare and the cabs and the hotel and three meals yesterday and one today. The other ninety-five thousand was in a safety deposit box rented first thing that morning, and the receipt and the key were hidden in her bra. It had occurred to her that all that money might be confiscated by the powers that be and she might not get it back.
    The general turned away from the phone and seated himself in the congressman’s chair. “They’re on the way over.”
    â€œThey? Who?” asked the congressman.
    â€œPeople from the Pentagon. They’ll call the president’s office and the FBI.”
    â€œWell,” Benita said, heaving a sigh, “since you’ve got it all in order, I think I’ll go get myself some lunch. I was so worried about putting this in the right hands, I hardly touched my breakfast…”
    â€œSit down,” said the general.
    â€œI beg your pardon!”
    â€œI’m sorry, ma’am. If you’re starving, we can send out for some sandwiches or something, but I want you here when the others arrive. They’re going to have questions. I have questions.”
    â€œThe people said the cube would give you all the answers and explanations. Certainly I can’t.”
    â€œWe’ll still have