Chapter 78

Ah! The mysteries of the IGBI, they say a lot and tell a little. I am nowhere near understanding the their ways than I was when I was not an agent. I seems that the end of the world is nigh, not just my little world but the whole shooting match. And it all rests, apparently, on my shoulders. It is a heavy burden, but can I take it seriously? No not a chance. Why? Because I don"t believe them. There is something else going on that I am not privy to. It is absurd that me possed up as Fats waller in 1935 should be the answer to the Gallaxy's demise. All I got from the meetins is that there is a black hole at the tip of our universe that is eating up planets faster than Billy Bunter stuffing his face in a cake shop.
Doil and Ice face have left and I am alone with Veronica. She is standing on the balcony looking at the New York skyline. We might as well be there it is so realistic. Even down the occasional hovership landing on a rooftop.

"Did the meeting go well?" I ask. "I only understood a third of what was going on."

"All you have to understand buddy boy is that you are the start of the big bang. From your fingers starts the saving of humanity. No mean thing. You could become a hero with statues and a plaque on the wall of your residence.

HERE LIVED JOE COOLZ

HERO"

"Whats left of it."

"Don"t be so morose, we are taking care of it. All will be as it was before the bomb took its roof off."

" I don"t suppose Brian has been replaced. Oh, I forget he is your spy."

"The IGBI has eyes and ears everywhere, it's nothing personal we do it to everyone, even our conversation here is being monitored."

"Who monitors the monitors?"

She puts on her stern face.

"Do you know why we have peace in our Galaxy? It is because there are no secrets. It is impossible to plot against it. Many try which is why the IGBI exist. Now we have a bigger problem to solve, and you and Fats are the key."

She puts her hand on my arm in a motherly way, whispers in my ear.

"Meet me in Central Park 12 noon on the 12^th May 1935 by the Police Precinct."

She steps back into the room and mouthes “1935” at me just to sure.

*****************

With time travel this meeting with Veronica can take place anytime in my lifespan, but the cloak and dagger conspiritorial way of telling me is intriguing. Yet I decide to delay my trip for a few days and see to my life. First stop the apartment. As I enter the lobby Brian greets me with a "Hello stranger." I counter with,
"Brian how long have you been an IGBI spy?"

Silence.

"Come on Brian I know all, as well as being bomb proof, you are a spy."

He clears his throat. Then he tells me a universal truth that I should have known.

"All house computers, body or no body are linked into a central hub, that is run by the IGBI. We are just another tool in the faceless entity that it is. If we exist we spy. Now come in and see the new décor."

"Brian, who bombed us?"

"I don"t know Sir, but I will ask around."

"Did you plant it yourself.?

"Heaven's No Sir. I liked it as it was. It could have done with the attention of an interior designer to smooth out some of it's rougher edges. But on the whole a fine example of 31st century Art Deco."

"I"m not convinced but mix me cocktail and fill the tub. Then give Zeno a call to come over. I owe her some time."