Chapter 49

Harold, George and the kids walked into the McDonald's just after noon. The kids loved that weirdo Ronald McDonald and Harold had always been partial to the all- American meal.

"George, the rover has reported grass growing at ten different locations. At site 11 there is a small shrubbery just getting started."

"Harold, that's great. You know, ever since I got wrapped up in this business my other enterprises have been on hold."

They ordered a selection of Happy Meals for the kids. George got a Big Mac, Harold a chicken sandwich, a salad, and one of those drinks that tests bladder capacity. A happy kidney is a peeing kidney. Harold was a enthusiast for large drinks and hence men's rooms.

"The rover is going to site 14 the day after tomorrow. They feel the soil there may be wetter and have even more growth."

"I have to get back on the sales efforts if the company is going to continue expanding."

They sat by the door. The kids ate half the food and played with the other half.

"If more than half of the sites produce plant life, the space committee is going to fund a vehicle with animals. Animals the public can relate to, not those stupid insects and seeds of the last flight."

Just as they were settling down, a man of about thirty with a jeans jacket walked in. He was smoking a cigarette but lit another. He dropped both in the trash can and then made his way toward the counter.

"Caroline's business is doing great. She just signed the University of California as a client."

The kids were tearing into the ice cream as the smoke began to get heavy from the trash can. The manager ran out to see why the smoke alarms went off. He pulled the trash can from the attractive cabinet but had no way to extinguish the fire. The flames took off once the bin was in the open air.

"Animals, George, real live animals on our planet."

Harold had just opened his salad dressing when he noticed the flames. He stood up with his drink in his hand. "Just a moment George." He walked over to the trash bin and dumped the 1000 cc drink onto the fire. He handed the empty cup to the manager who looked at him in surprise. "I would like a refill, please." Harold and the manager walked toward the counter. Harold looked at the manager. "They are going to ship animals to site 14 next year if the plant life continues to do well."

The manager gazed at Harold with confusion.

The man in the jeans jacket had the center cashier by the lapels and was shoving his other hand into the man's chest. Harold walked up to the counter.

"I would like a refill for my drink, please."

The man in the jean jacket turned just as the packet of bleu cheese dressing in Harold's hand erupted into his face. The man never saw Harold's knee which connected with the center for endocrinological secretion that makes males so dangerous, but he did feel it crush his testicles. As the air left the punk's lungs from the agony in his place of ecstasy, he leaned forward, Harold hit him on the back of the neck with both of his fists. The man crumpled to the ground and the pistol went with him. Harold kicked the gun away and dropped, planting a knee into his spine. The crackle of broken ribs was palpable. The plastic ratchet tie that went around his wrists secured the package. Harold stood up, walked over to the gun, picked it up, secured the safety, and walked back to the counter.

"Do you have that Sprite?"

The manager handed it to him just as the police arrived in response to the fire alarms. He then looked Harold squarely in the face. "Aren't you Harold MacAnish?"

Chapter 50

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