throwing toasters, of all things? Have they gone crazy? Or is this a result of more games by you and your CIA buddies? Why was I not informed the spiders toasted their bread!”
“They don’t. That’s the problem. That, and a few malcontents and agitators. It’s nothing to worry about.” “Security is getting lax,” complained Ambassador Yamashita. “I expect you to be more diligent.” “Yes, sir.” “Are you going to the Globetrotters game?” “I don’t have tickets yet.” “Neither do I. You tell Guido I expect front-row seats for two behind the American bench!” “Yes, sir.”
back to Table of Contents
Chapter 2
The Emperor and his Americanized wife, Queen Rainbow from planet colony New Colorado, sat in a deluxe box seat high above the basketball arena.
“How come I have to sit way up here?” asked the Emperor, pointing unhappily at the basketball court below. “Look at that. Even that fool Barney has a front row seat!”
“Oh!” shouted Queen Rainbow. “Ambassador Yamashita and Lulu have front row seats, too. Do something! Everyone has front row seats but us!”
“Your Majesty, this deluxe box is necessary because of security concerns,” replied the Intelligentsia officer. “It is unsafe for you to sit among the peasants.”
“But the rabble have a much better view!” complained the Emperor.
“That reminds me,” said the Intelligentsia officer. “The game is about to start, and I have to get down there. My wife gets upset if I am late.”
“You have front row tickets?” asked the Emperor.
“Someone has to keep an eye on that anarchist Barney,” explained the Intelligentsia officer. “He has devious ways.”
“Give me those tickets!” demanded the Emperor, snatching the Intelligence officer’s stubs. “The Queen and I will be sitting courtside.”
“But Your Majesty, it is not safe. What about security?” “That is why I have Imperial Marines. It is about time they started earning their pay!” “But my wife will be upset. I will get the silent treatment for weeks.” “Tough! It’s about time I got out among my loyal subjects. An Emperor needs to be seen and to make his presence known. Otherwise, the peasants get restless.”
“It’s so nice of you to give up your tickets!” exclaimed Queen Rainbow, kissing the intelligence officer on his mandible, and excitedly following His Majesty down the stairs to courtside. “Everyone who is anyone is here. Oh honey, I’m so happy to be out of that box! Go Globetrotters!”
“We are cheering for the home team,” admonished the Emperor. “Remember your position.”
“Yes, dear,” answered the Queen as she ran off to greet and hug Lulu.
The Emperor let Queen Rainbow run amuck. Better she give Lulu an earful than him. A marine security detail chased after her. The spider all-stars, having finished their warm-ups, were seated directly in front of the Emperor. He leaned forward and tapped one of the players on the back. “I expect you to win this game, or else!” threatened the Emperor. “I have money riding on you.”
“We will try,” replied the startled spider player. “But you know the human pestilence Globetrotters have won over ten thousand games in a row.”
“What? That is impossible. If this game is fixed, heads will roll!”
“It is their ball handling,” explained the spider player. “Globetrotters pass the ball at the speed of light.”
“We shall see about that,” commented the Emperor, upset. “Speed of light indeed! You have eight hands and feet. You have eyes in the back of your head. Your superior evolutionary exoskeleton design gives you a distinct advantage. I expect superior ball handling and passing, or else. Do your Empire proud!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
* * * * *
Skyhook Johnson captivated the crowd with his skilful dribbling and quick ball handling. An artist with a basketball, Skyhook was the
“They don’t. That’s the problem. That, and a few malcontents and agitators. It’s nothing to worry about.” “Security is getting lax,” complained Ambassador Yamashita. “I expect you to be more diligent.” “Yes, sir.” “Are you going to the Globetrotters game?” “I don’t have tickets yet.” “Neither do I. You tell Guido I expect front-row seats for two behind the American bench!” “Yes, sir.”
back to Table of Contents
Chapter 2
The Emperor and his Americanized wife, Queen Rainbow from planet colony New Colorado, sat in a deluxe box seat high above the basketball arena.
“How come I have to sit way up here?” asked the Emperor, pointing unhappily at the basketball court below. “Look at that. Even that fool Barney has a front row seat!”
“Oh!” shouted Queen Rainbow. “Ambassador Yamashita and Lulu have front row seats, too. Do something! Everyone has front row seats but us!”
“Your Majesty, this deluxe box is necessary because of security concerns,” replied the Intelligentsia officer. “It is unsafe for you to sit among the peasants.”
“But the rabble have a much better view!” complained the Emperor.
“That reminds me,” said the Intelligentsia officer. “The game is about to start, and I have to get down there. My wife gets upset if I am late.”
“You have front row tickets?” asked the Emperor.
“Someone has to keep an eye on that anarchist Barney,” explained the Intelligentsia officer. “He has devious ways.”
“Give me those tickets!” demanded the Emperor, snatching the Intelligence officer’s stubs. “The Queen and I will be sitting courtside.”
“But Your Majesty, it is not safe. What about security?” “That is why I have Imperial Marines. It is about time they started earning their pay!” “But my wife will be upset. I will get the silent treatment for weeks.” “Tough! It’s about time I got out among my loyal subjects. An Emperor needs to be seen and to make his presence known. Otherwise, the peasants get restless.”
“It’s so nice of you to give up your tickets!” exclaimed Queen Rainbow, kissing the intelligence officer on his mandible, and excitedly following His Majesty down the stairs to courtside. “Everyone who is anyone is here. Oh honey, I’m so happy to be out of that box! Go Globetrotters!”
“We are cheering for the home team,” admonished the Emperor. “Remember your position.”
“Yes, dear,” answered the Queen as she ran off to greet and hug Lulu.
The Emperor let Queen Rainbow run amuck. Better she give Lulu an earful than him. A marine security detail chased after her. The spider all-stars, having finished their warm-ups, were seated directly in front of the Emperor. He leaned forward and tapped one of the players on the back. “I expect you to win this game, or else!” threatened the Emperor. “I have money riding on you.”
“We will try,” replied the startled spider player. “But you know the human pestilence Globetrotters have won over ten thousand games in a row.”
“What? That is impossible. If this game is fixed, heads will roll!”
“It is their ball handling,” explained the spider player. “Globetrotters pass the ball at the speed of light.”
“We shall see about that,” commented the Emperor, upset. “Speed of light indeed! You have eight hands and feet. You have eyes in the back of your head. Your superior evolutionary exoskeleton design gives you a distinct advantage. I expect superior ball handling and passing, or else. Do your Empire proud!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
* * * * *
Skyhook Johnson captivated the crowd with his skilful dribbling and quick ball handling. An artist with a basketball, Skyhook was the
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