The Rangers Are Coming (47 page)

The room they entered was like a very well decorated living room.  It was spacious and there was a closed curtain across the back wall.  Cary reached over and pushed the switches on the wall, and the room was suddenly filled with light from several lamps.  The Gladstone’s seemed to be in shock at the never-ending string of miracles they were experiencing.  To the left was a door and to the right another door.  “You guys have the room to the left and you Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone have the room to the right.  There are things in these rooms that need explaining, so I will start here.  Over on the right is the service bar, it has a refrigerator to keep things cold, and is filled with all sorts of goodies.  Use it all you want.  We will refill it every day.”

Cary walked over to the closed curtain and pulled the cords to open them.  The Gladstone’s gasped as the view unfolded before them.  They could see the entire Mall, the reflecting pool with the big monument at the end, the tall obelisk, and the Capitol to their left.  Cary pulled open the sliding doors and let the family walk out onto the long deck.  There was a table and chairs out there, along with a couple of long lounges.  The view was spectacular, but it was Henry who said, “It’s really hot out here.”

“Then come back in and I’ll close the doors,” laughed Cary.

The cool of the room enveloped them.  “You can regulate the temperature of the rooms.”  He stepped over to a panel behind the service bar.  A lit panel showed the number 72.  “This is the current temperature the room is set for.  To make it warmer, you push this button up or down.”  He demonstrated and the number changed to 71.  “There’s one of these in each of the bedrooms for your comfort.  Now shall we look at the bedrooms?”

He led the family into the master bedroom.  There was a king-sized bed in the center, a chest of drawers on one wall and a large oaken cabinet on the wall facing the bed.  There was also an easy chair and a small table with two chairs nearby.  Cary moved into the bathroom.  There were two sinks along one wall and a frosted glass enclosure on the other wall.  At the end was a small room with a porcelain stool.  There was a sliding door to that room. “This is your toilet.  You do your business, use the paper from the roll, and then push this handle.”  He demonstrated and the toilet recycled.  Cary went to the sink and lifted a handle, water started flowing out.  “For hot water you move the handle to the left, for cold water, the right.  Somewhere in the middle will be the right temperature to wash your hands.”

He turned to the shower and opened the door.  He turned the same kind of handle that was on the sinks.  Water came flowing out from the ceiling and from three places on the side.  “I have it just turned on a little to show you how it works,” said Cary, “but pull the handle back and you’ll get a lot of water.  Again turn the handle to the left for hot water, and to the right for cold water.  I’m not sure what you have heard, but getting completely wet is not bad for you.  In fact, it’s very healthy.  Most Americans shower at least once a day.”

They returned to the main bedroom.  Cary opened the doors to the oak cabinet.  Inside was a flat screen that was dark.  Cary picked up the remote and handed it to William Gladstone.  “Push the red button to turn it on.”  Gladstone did that and a crystal-clear image appeared on the screen.  “There are several channels from which to choose,” said Cary.  “This one gives you a tour of Washington and all our attractions push the button on the side.”  The picture changed to views of beautiful sights…canyons, great mountains, flowing geysers, Great Plains of wheat and corn growing.  “If you watch this channel, it will give you a look at the sights you can see in America.  Each of you can pick up to four destinations, and we will make arrangements for you to see them in person.”

He pushed another button, and a list appeared on the screen.  This is the entertainment channel.  It’s like going to see a play, only better.  If you push the button on a title that interests you, an information screen will appear with the synopsis of the program.  If you want to see it, there will be a button for that, and another to return to the list to pick something else.  We also have a religious channel where you can hear the word of God, and the next four channels are music from classical to popular, American Style.”

“I think that covers everything,” said Cary.  He looked at a watch on his wrist.  It is now 11:30 AM.  You are free to do whatever you like for the balance of the day.  If you wish to visit anything in Washington, be my guest.  You can get around easier by using the Metro.  That’s an underground train that goes all around the city.  The signs will show you the next stop.  The closest Metro entrance is just outside the hotel, on the corner.”

Dinner at the White House is 5 PM.  The buses will pick you up at 4:30.  The dress for tonight is semi-casual.  You will find clothing in your closets, a Blazer, short-sleeved shirt, no tie and dark pants for the men, a simple dress for the ladies.  As you have already noticed, it’s a little hot.  We want you to be comfortable.”

There was a knock as the door.  “Perfect,” said Cary, “that will be your luggage.  Enjoy yourselves, take a shower, eat a snack, take a nap, or take a walk.  I’ll be back to get you at 4:30.”  He left as a man came in with the luggage.

                    
42

Washington, D.C.

              The Gladstone family was in a state of shock.  It was impossible to sort out the events of the past day.  It was as if they had been magically transported to some kind of utopian paradise.  William Gladstone sat down heavily on the couch and looked out at the sight of Washington.  The clean lines and perfect symmetry of the great, stately buildings arranged around the central Mall, made London seem quaint and a little grubby.

              In any case, he had no idea what to do first.  “I’m hungry,” said Herbert.  “Me too,” said Henry.  As if their speaking had set off an alarm, an instrument on the service bar was ringing.  Gladstone went over and looked at the instrument.  It seemed to be some kind of communication devise.  He picked up the receiver, and a voice spoke into is ear.  “Greetings, Prime Minister, would you and your family care to have a light lunch?”

              “That would be nice,” said Gladstone.

              “We’ll be right up,” said the voice, and the earphone clicked.  Gladstone returned the telephone to the receiver.

              “William, come in here,” said Catherine.  He got up and walked into the bedroom.  Catherine had opened her suitcase and hauled out the clothes she found inside.  “I’ve never seen such a collection of clothes such as these.”

              “That dress looks very nice,” said Gladstone innocently.  Charlene nodded, “Yes, it’s beautiful and made from a fabric that is like silk, but a little heavier.  But, look at the rest of this.”  She picked up a pair of jeans, “Do they honestly expect me to wear these?  The very idea, pants for a woman.  That’s outrageous.”  She poked around the rest of the clothes.  There were several very elegant blouses, some sort sleeve shirts both with buttons and without.  Two pairs of shoes, one of which looked more like short boots.  There was also some very odd lingerie.  She handled the bra with curiosity, several pairs of undergarment pants that were soft and sleek.  There was also another pair of pants, which cut off at the knees.  She picked up a dark blue, one-piece garment that would only cover her body from neck to thighs.  It stretched as she pulled on it.  “I’ve no idea what this is.”  The last thing she picked up was obviously a nightgown.  “This is very nice.  It’s for sleeping I think.”  She sighed and started putting clothes in the chest of drawers.

              As Catherine was busy with the clothes, there was a knock at the door.  Gladstone opened it and found a pretty woman with a uniform at the door pushing a cart that was full of food.  Gladstone made way for her and the girl pushed the cart to the table.  She began setting out covered dishes around the table.  The boys heard the commotion and came out of their room, stopping in their tracks when they saw the girl.  She wasn’t just pretty she was ravishingly gorgeous.  She was wearing a tight sweater with short sleeves that emphasized  breasts that didn’t need it.  Moreover, she was wearing a pair of those short pants.  Her long legs went down to a pair of comfortable tennis shoes.  She pretended nobody was watching.

              When the table was set, the girl did a little bow and pushed the cart out with her behind it.  The boy’s eyes were fixed on her behind.  “Bon Appetite,” she said as she closed the door.

              The family sat down and looked under the coverings.  On two of them were round sandwiches that seemed to be filled with a piece of meat, with cheese on top.  There were also long thin potatoes, and garnish of onions, lettuce, tomato slices, mustard and ketchup.  “This must be for us,” said Henry lifting the top bun and starting to pile things on it.  He tasted the mustard.  It was spicy and tasty, so he put on quite a bit.  There was salt and pepper on the table and they sprinkled that on their cheeseburgers, also.  They dug in and soon were grinning as they ate.

              Catherine had a plate of exotics fruits, some of which she didn’t recognize, but which tasted delicious as she ate them.  There was also a bowl of cold cottage cheese.

              William had a large ham sandwich with onions, cheese and green peppers.  He also had a pile of chips that he nibbled and then ate enthusiastically. 

              There was a large pitcher of water with ice, and big glasses filled with a dark fluid.  When the boys tasted that, they smiled.  It was the same drink they had on the plane, only this was better.

              When the meal was over, Catherine said, “It’s as if they knew what we liked to eat.  Is that possible?”

              “At this point I am beginning to believe anything is possible,” said William.

              “We are going to go for a walk,” said Henry.

              “Keep track of the time and be back in time to dress for dinner,” said their father.

              Catherine explored the bath and looked at the shower.  She really wanted to freshen up, but was worried about her hair.  She went back to the living room and stared at the phone.  There was a small sign on the phone that said, “Questions?  Dial Zero.”  She picked up the phone and pushed the button.  A voice answered immediately, “Good afternoon,” said a women’s voice, “How can I help.”

              “I am going to dinner tonight,” she started.

              “To the White House, Mrs. Gladstone, and you want to look your best.  I’ll bet you want to take a shower but are worried about your hair.”

              “How did you know?”

              “Yours isn’t the first call.  Want some help?”

              “Oh could you, I would be so grateful.”

              “I’ll be right up.”

              When Catherine came back to the bedroom, William was laying on the bed and watching the TV with the highlights of America showing.  “This the most comfortable bed I’ve ever laid on,” he said.  “I was just looking at some of the wonders of this country.  It will be hard to pick just four.”

              “William, a woman is coming up to help me get ready for tonight.  Would you mind watching that in the living room?  I’m sure the screen has the same programs.”

              “I can do that,” he said happily, “are you going to take a shower?”

              “I am.”

              “Then you can give me instructions on how it works,” he said going out of the room.  He had gotten to the couch when there was a knock on the door.  He opened it and a middle-aged woman was standing there.  “Good Afternoon, Prime Minister, your wife called about some help in getting ready for tonight.”

              “Yes, of course,” said Gladstone, “Come right in, Catherine is in the bedroom.”

              The woman went to the bedroom and closed the door.

              Gladstone resumed his tour of America and began to narrow down the choices.  He definitely wanted to see a place called Yellowstone and see the mountains called the Grand Tetons.  After that he was torn between the giant Sequoia trees, the big cave at Carlsbad, and Niagara Falls.

              He walked to the bedroom door and could hear laughter inside the bathroom.

              Catherine giggled at the experience of the wonderful shower spraying hot water at her from all directions.  Her new friend, Grace, explained it all to her, and gave her the most wonderful shampoo and conditioner for her hair.  Now she was sitting in a chair while Grace dried her hair with a blow dryer, and was using a curling iron to give here the most beautiful hairdo she’d ever had.

              “Grace,” said Catherine, “I saw the most outlandish clothing in my luggage today.  I don’t even know what some of it is.  I certainly can’t imagine ever wearing pants.”

              “You mean the jeans,” said Grace?  “Honey, I’ve got to tell you they are the most comfortable clothes you’ll ever wear.  You’ll see a lot of women in America wearing them.”

              “Really,” said Catherine, “and what about those pants cut off at the knees.  Our server for lunch was wearing them.”

              “There called shorts,” said Grace, “In case you haven’t noticed, it’s kind of hot and humid around here.  It’s even worse down south, and out in the desert in the west there’s not much humidity, but the temperature is as much as 120 degrees.  You’ll be happy to shed your clothes along with your modesty when you get out in that weather.”

              “We are overwhelmed with what we have found in America.  You have great wonders.  Are the people all as happy as they seem?”