There was lots of commotion at the main branch of the Aekea Public Library and Information Center. Lots of children were running around, adults were pushing strollers filled with little crying babies, and trucks full of precious cargo. The parking lot was full of cars and tents with different events going on at each of them. It was a pretty warm autumn day but the wind was quite chilly when the gusts came through. It was mid-afternoon at the annual literacy fair. Books were pouring in from everywhere as generous Gaians donated their used books. Mr. Gambino, who is not even from Aekea, donated truckloads of books with his own liftbots to unload his generosity.
When Neon, Aekea’s best-known reporter, asked Mr. Gambino how he found it in his heart to donate so much Gambino replied, “I recently purchased a bookstore. But instead of paying the employees, I decided to close it, sell the building, and get rid of all of these books. Who needs books when you have money? MWAHAHAHA!”
“So you aren’t here to celebrate literacy and education, you just wanted a free place to drop off your old stock?” Neon asked incredulously. Even though Gambino is not from Aekea, having such an uncaring man within the city limits did not sit well with Neon. Even Xenon, Neon's pet grunny, was displeased at Mr. Gambino's words.
“MWAHAHA small boy. Of course I care about reading. It’s important for kids to learn and have books to read. But it is also important for us rich people to have more money. If I wasn’t so rich, could I have donated all of these books?” More annoyed than defeated, Neon decided to interview someone else. Anyone else.
“Hey Neon! Have you found any celebrities for me to invite to my show?” It was the beautiful Ellen, Aekea’s favorite sweetheart. She has her own talk show. “Gambino is here, but I don‘t know if you want to talk to him.”
“Oh. Him. I think I’ll pass. Thanks anyway, pookie!” said Ellen as she pecked Neon on the cheek and danced away in that mood she’s always in. That mood that says “My godchild could be kidnapped and I still wouldn’t be distraught.”
Also outside, Phoenix, Liam, and Christian were unloading boxes of books from people’s cars and taking them inside so Rezia could inventory and count the donations. The library's one liftbot was also helping. Phoenix was playing wingman for Liam as the two of them relentlessly hunted their prey. Sam was there and she couldn’t seem to get away.
“Aww, babe you can’t leave yet. We have so much to talk about…” Liam was being his usual self with Phoenix taking notes the whole way.
“I would love to leave, but my car broke down. Can you help me fix it?" whimpered Sam in her sultry but forceful voice. "I know what I need to do, I just need to go get a part from the store and I’ll need help installing it. Oh and I’ll need the engine hot to check something with the oil so keep it running.”
“Right. So you want us to stay here and get warmed up while you get ready to go underneath and get messy. I like where this is going.” Phoenix delivered the line with the kind of style that could only be rivaled by Liam himself. Sam was not amused by this at all so she just left and went to the auto parts store.
Also at the event was the unveiling of the newest service bot at the library: litbots. These TV-sized robots have every children's book in the library's inventory stored electronically. They were programmed with a soothing, maternal voice. Kids just have to push a button and voila! Their favorite story can be read to them as the picture of the pages scroll across the screen. They were painted in cute vibrant colors and positioned so that many kids could sit and listen to each one simultaneously. Unfortunately, the library could only afford two of them so Reiley was reading out loud to the children who did not enjoy the huge crowds around the litbots. As she began to read The Story of Little Servo, a small child approached her group. Unlike the other kids, this one was not surrounded by parents and she seemed a bit... outdated. Her clothes were in good condition but they were of a very old style. She seemed very aloof. Reiley acknowledged her and invited her to have a seat in her lap. The girl moved, although reluctantly, over to stand beside Reiley as she listened to the story:
Once upon a time in a small quiet neighborhood in Aekea lived a small family. There was a big mother Serva, an even bigger father Servito, and little Servo. He was the cutest 'bot ever but he wasn't very good at anything. Big papa Servito was not very happy with his son's constant failure and mother Serva was tired of not having any stories to share about her precious child. No one loved or cared for little Servo until one day...
EEEEEEEEEKKKKKK!!
