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Monday - September 13

Whispering "yes", Henry offers Ruth a chair and asks her if she would like some tea. Replying with a "please", Henry leaves to return with a tray of tea and a leaflet.

Removing her hat and gloves, Ruth takes the warm cup of tea and wraps her hands around it to enjoy the heat. She releases a tiny sniffle, and then softly utters to Henry, "The hiatus has ended, Henry. It has begun."

Henry takes the leaflet and gently lays it on the table. Ruth carefully glides it with one finger towards her, and then picks up the leaflet. Cautiously, she opens the leaflet to see a number written on a Post-it. Removing the Post-it, she reads the number and asks Henry, "When?"

Henry scratches his nose, and softly says, "On the twenty-third."

"That's only ten days away, Henry. Does that give us enough time?" Ruth asks.

"It's more than enough time, Ruth. Don't worry. You know as well as I do that this has been in the making for a long, long time. Everything has been going according to plan. With Claire pregnant, it's the perfect start for a new beginning for everyone. Were you able to plant the listening device?"

"Yes, with no problems."

"Good. I'm sure our people are anxious to get things in motion. Ruth, it's going to be dangerous and life-threatening, as you well know. Will you able to handle that, Ruth?" Henry asks, hoping she has the right answer.

"I have always been ready, Henry. You know that," she firmly responds.

Henry nods his head in silent agreement.

As they each enjoy their soothing tea, Henry's phone rings. Taking the phone out of his shirt pocket, he looks at Ruth and says, "It's him." Ruth looks at Henry and gives a small one-sided smile. Henry hits the answer button and says, "Hello, I've been waiting for your call." Ruth listens intently as Henry speaks. The conversation takes less than a minute.

"Well?" asks Ruth.

"He will be sending both of us our packages tomorrow," he tells her.

Nodding her head, Ruth takes another sip of tea before setting it back onto the tray. "Henry," she says as she stands, "I don't want anything to happen to Claire, John, or the baby. Is that understood?"

"Hurting Claire would defeat our purpose, Ruth. But he has everything under control. Just wait for the package and we'll go from there."

"Fine," says Ruth, as she puts on her gloves and hat.

Ruth heads over to the door when Henry asks, "Ruth, you are good with this, aren't you?"

Ruth opens the door, allowing the musty smell of the store to enter. She wraps her scarf around her neck and replies, "Henry, you don't have a thing to worry about. Just make sure Claire stays safe. Agreed?"

"Agreed," confirms Henry.

Ruth smiles and says, "Have a good night, Henry. I'll be in touch."

"Good night, Ruth," Henry says, as he watches her exit the bookstore.

Ruth's apartment is six blocks away. Adjusting her scarf and hat, she re-enters Atlanta as the cold wind continues to howl, enforcing the chill to become fiercer. Wondering what the package is that she will be receiving tomorrow, she decides to make a stop at the market to pick up a few things. Entering a Piggly Wiggly, she grabs a shopping basket and quickly shops for her needs. After paying a steep price for four items, Ruth again ventures out into the frosty night.

Holding onto her small bag of groceries, she picks up her pace as she continues her walk home. As the snow continues to fall, she sees people crouched up next to buildings, dumpsters, lamp posts, whatever they can find in order to keep themselves from the freezing wind. Atlanta's population consists roughly of about twenty million. Out of that figure, approximately half are homeless.

Picking up her pace, Ruth finally reaches her apartment building. The buildings' doorman, Edward, opens the door for her, tipping his hat, asking her if she needs any assistance. Ruth stomps the snow off her boots, and as she walks to the elevator, turns to Edward and says, "No, thanks Edward, I have it." The elevator door opens, allowing her to enter, and she presses number nine for her floor.

Alone in the ascending elevator, Ruth looks at her watch and is stunned that it's midnight. The elevator reaches the ninth floor. When she steps out, a figure appears from the shadows, and sternly says, "Hello, Ruth. I've been waiting for you."

Startled, she replies, "Well, well, well. I never thought I would see you so soon. Why are you here?"

The figure grabs the bag from Ruth's arms, saying, "I have a message for you. It's about raw fish."

"Well," she responds, "let's get in where it's warmer. Shall we?"

Ruth and the visitor walk down the hallway until they reach her apartment, number nine fifteen. Commanding the door to open, they enter silently as the lights activate. As Ruth removes her coat, hat, and gloves, she gestures the visitor to sit. Retrieving her grocery bag, Ruth goes into the kitchen to store her purchases. When she finishes putting her groceries away, she wonders why the visitor is here so late, and also, what is it that couldn't have waited until morning. She turns around and heads for the living room to sit.

Once in her chair, Ruth inquires, "Well, what is it? Has something happened?"

Waiting for a response, the visitor simply says, "As you know, it has begun. No announcements have been made yet by the CDC, but there will be." Leaning towards Ruth, the visitor continues, "It's imperative that nothing goes wrong; nothing. One small error and the whole thing could be disastrous for us all. Did you speak to him yet?"

"Not yet. But he did call Henry tonight. He told Henry that he and I would be receiving our packages tomorrow."

"Excellent. So far, everything's on target."

"Yes."

"Did you take care of the listening device as directed?"

"Yes. I know that John will be unknowingly our main contact between him and the CDC, but as I told Henry tonight, nothing, absolutely nothing better happen to Claire, John, and the baby. Do you understand? Claire is my only niece and the Earth's future has been planned ever since her birth," as Ruth declares her concern.

"We will do everything in our power to make sure that they will be all right."

"You'd better. Or there will be hell to pay," she replies in an intimidating tone.

A few seconds of silence elapse when the visitor looks at his watch and says to Ruth, "I will expect a call from you when you receive the package. Henry has his orders as well."

Giving a small grin, Ruth concurs.

"Well," the visitor says, preparing to leave, "tomorrow then. Have a good night, Ruth."

They both stand up as Ruth shows her guest to the door. As the visitor walks down the hallway to the elevator, Ruth finds herself becoming overly concerned for Claire. Nothing better happen to her! Ruth watches the visitor disappear into the elevator, and then slowly, she closes her door.