More Misgivings........

Doyle didn't call. Instead, I met Ms. Givings at the Menlo Park Mall yesterday. She picked the entrance beside where the movie theater is. No "Hello", "Happy Holidays", "Happy New Year", or "How are you?", just a curt "Walk with me." as she hustled by. At least she slowed it down as she rounded the corner towards Macy's. After all, the only people at the mall at this time of day are the "Mall Walkers" - those senior citizens/recuperating people who need to be walking(and those physical fitness freaks who don't have jobs). If we kept moving at her initial pace, we'd stick out like sore thumbs.

"Where's Doyle?" I asked, to try to kick things off.
"He's got the flu, or something. They pulled me in off my vacation to babysit you."
"What do you mean, babysit? I thought you monitored me by the implant."
"You gotta know you're under constant watch. Besides the monitoring, the People Upstairs want a constant watch on you now. They're concerned that you haven't had an Event in a few weeks."
"Look, they were the ones, at least Doyle said they were, who said things would slow up with the cold weather. No one's out and about, and very few by themselves. Also, it's the holiday season. The only people you see are in crowds."
"I know that, but the People Upstairs play the tune we all dance to. Anyway, they wanted someone to speak to you, in case you were having second thoughts or something."
"Not me. You and Doyle scared those out of me the last time we met. I'll finish this, or at least get as close as I can to the target number. By the way, what happens if I don't get the twelve? I know I've got 8 done, and a little less then 2 months for the other 4, but what happens if I don't bring them all in?"
"I'm not sure. No one's ever said anything about it. I do know that they originally didn't think you'd come anywhere near the target. As you got closer, they began to rethink the project, and then they got concerned that you were getting sloppy or too personal with numbers 5 and 6. Right now, I have no idea what they intend to do."
"OK. So, you're just here to make sure I don't have a bout of seasonal remorse? That I'm not depressed, or suicidal? Is that it?"
"Partly. And I can tell by your tone of voice that you're not. The People Upstairs will be glad to hear that. But also, I'm reiterating the fact that I'm Doyle's backup and you'll have me to deal with periodically when he's not available."
"well, if that's all, consider it done. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to stop and get something to eat. These early morning meetings throw my meal schedule out of whack."
"Just one more thing. The People Upstairs want to know what you plan to do once this project is over."
"What? Are you kidding? I haven't planned that far ahead. I try not to think about this whole situation at all. I take it day by day, do what I have to, and move on. As long as you have this monitor in me, I don't see that I have too much of a choice. Maybe that's what I want, to have the monitor taken out. Tell them that."
"I will. Is there anything else?"
"Do you think they will? Take out the implant, I mean?"
"I don't know." She stopped walking, and for the first time today, looked my straight in the face. "They may, and they may not. I don't know them. I've seen them by good guys, and I've seen them do some rotten things all in the name of National Security. I couldn't even guess what they'd do."
She paused, and looked around not really noticing anything, just gathering her thoughts.
"Look, I don't know you. I don't want to know you. I think Doyle has made this project a personal one for him. That's his mistake. I won't do that. But I will give you some advise. Do what they want you to. No more, no less. You try you best, and they won't think your slacking so they won't try to take it out on you. Whatever happens after that is their doing. That's all I can offer you."
She pause again, as if waiting for me to reply, but I couldn't think of anything to say.
"I'll tell them that you still working towards the final goal, and that the slow down was as they predicted - weather related. Beyond that, I won't tell them anything about this conversation. Hopefully, Doyle will be feeling better the next time they want to talk to you."
She turned and left. Suddenly that appetite I'd had wasn't as pressing as it had been.
I now had more to worry about.