Consequences by Carla Jablonski Page A

whistle sounded and the silent workers moved from one part of the machinery to another.
    Slaggingham got a glint in his eyes, and he grinned broadly. He stuck his thumbs in his suspenders and his chest expanded like a pigeon’s. “Why, happiness!” he crowed. “We will be extracting happiness from those who have too much of it, and giving it to those who have too little. Haven’t you noticed that there is an unfair distribution of happiness in this world, lad?”
    â€œTrue enough,” Daniel conceded. It sounded pretty ridiculous to him, but what did he know compared to the old reverend? “How do you plan to be doing the extracting?”
    â€œAhhhhhhhh, my boy, my boy.” Slaggingham rubbed his hands together. “Wait until you feast your eyes on my pride and my joy. My crown jewel of all my stunning creations.”
    He led Daniel up a metal ladder bolted to the brick wall. This brought them up to a catwalk suspended high above the floor. They clattered along the catwalk and through another archway. Steam and odorous vapors rose from the extensive machinery below them.
    In the dim light Daniel could make out silent figures moving in unison around the machine. Daniel was impressed. Slaggingham had a majoroperation going down here. And he wants me to be a part of all of it , Daniel mused. Me! Like he thinks I’m worth something.
    Slaggingham stood by a control panel built into one of the walls. “Let me adjust the lights so you can better witness the genius of modern times.” Slaggingham grabbed a lever and pulled it. It creaked and groaned as he pushed it down, then several lights shorted out.
    â€œConfound and blast it!” Slaggingham smacked the lever in frustration. “It’s jammed again!”
    â€œWants oiling?” Daniel suggested.
    â€œWants protection.” Slaggingham growled. He turned and grabbed one of the lanterns hanging on the wall.
    Daniel’s eyebrows rose. “Protection from what?”
    â€œSabotage!” Slaggingham held the lantern out over the railing of the catwalk and scanned the area.
    Daniel followed his gaze. He was startled to see a small fellow who seemed to be made entirely of tools disappearing around a corner.
    â€œYou!” Slaggingham cried, waving his fist in the air. “You blighter! You will regret this! I shall have you, I shall!”
    â€œWho is that bloke?” Daniel asked, intriguedby the odd creature’s appearance.
    â€œA saboteur. An enemy of progress! Awn the Blink is the tool-fingered troublemaker’s name.”
    â€œWhere did he come from?” Daniel asked. He’d never seen anything like Awn the Blink before. And what a peculiar name. “How did he get down here?”
    â€œHe’s here because some slurry-brained high-city magic brat used to believe in him. Thanks to his shenanigans we’re behind schedule.” Slaggingham paced back and forth, muttering oaths and curses.
    Daniel’s stomach growled. “Didn’t you say something about tea?” Daniel asked. “That ain’t going off the schedule, is it?”
    Slaggingham stopped prowling the catwalk and peered at Daniel. He glanced again in the direction Awn the Blink had vanished, then back at Daniel. “You wouldn’t care to inspect the Extractor first?”
    Daniel crossed his arms over his chest. “Not a bit of it.” He’d been offered a proper tea, by gum, and he was determined to have it.
    Slaggingham seemed disappointed, but he shrugged. “I shall tell you more about it over tea then…partner?”
    Daniel still wasn’t sold on the partner idea, so he said nothing.
    â€œCome with me, lad.” Slaggingham climbed down the ladder, and walked Daniel around the Extractor. Once more, Daniel wondered about the workers. He couldn’t precisely say what was wrong with them—he’d certainly seen dronelike behavior among the factory line workers