Weekend Fiction - Oracle Meets a Stranger

This is chapter 2 of my science fiction serial, Oracle.  This time, we actually start to have a plot.  As always I greatly appreciate any feedback.  Thanks!

Chapter 2; Oracle Meets a Stranger


“Good morning sir.”

“Leave me alone.”

“Good morning sir.”

“Shut up!”

“Good morning sir.”

“Go ahead, Ezra.”

“Very good sir; your first client will arrive in 2 hours; shall I start your shower and coffee?”

“Go ahead, Ezra.””

“Very good sir; your client?”

“Go ahead, Ezra.””

“Representatives from ExNect corp regarding the upcoming merger with AT-Tec.”

“Dismissed, Ezra.”

Cyrus dismissed Ezra, his computerized assistant.  His shower was ready, with static blaring from the integrated speakers and flashing colors on the screens.  After showering and dressing, Cyrus put on a set of comfortable clothes and went to the kitchen for his coffee and breakfast.  Looking forward, he saw Mrs. Meyers, his housekeeper cleaning up the remains of his waffles and eggs.  He didn’t like waffles, but Mrs. Meyers was such a great housekeeper that he didn’t have the heart to tell her.  He wasn’t looking forward to hiring her replacement seven months from now.  At least he knew Mrs. Meyers wouldn’t suffer when she died in her sleep early on that Sunday morning.

Cyrus reassured the executives from ExNect that the merger with AT-Tec would be wildly successful.  The SEC wouldn’t even have a problem with the merger.  He saw the stock price rising to unprecedented highs, but; since no one asked; he didn’t mention that anyone who held on to the stock for longer than 8 months and 3 days would end up losing far more than they had gained.

After eating a corned beef sandwich (another of Mrs. Meyers’ favorite selections) for lunch, Cyrus prepared for the rest of his day, answering questions for the charity clients who were always lined up outside of the guest house, waiting for him.  He anticipated having a long day with them today.

There were no surprises among the clients at his door.

“Will we have a boy or a girl?”

“Should we buy the house down the street or move across the country?”

Even though he never answered questions about lottery numbers and death anymore, nearly half of his clients wanted to ask.  After the third person in a row asked about the SuperBall jackpot numbers, Cyrus was ready to call it a day.  The elderly woman who was waiting for him looked very frail though, and he knew that her question was easy to answer.

“What can I help you with today?” Cyrus asked; humoring Mrs. Thomason by asking.

“I know this may sound like a silly question,” she faltered; “but I seem to have lost my cat.  I’ve been looking for him everywhere for 2 days.”

Cyrus looked forward and saw Mrs. Thomason with an attractive woman, opening a battered trunk to release a very angry cat.

“Do you have an old trunk at your house?” he asked.

“Why yes, I do… how on earth could Mr. Fluff had gotten in there though?”

Cyrus was about to answer, but then the cat rescuer from the future walked through the door.  He found himself suddenly speechless; how had he not seen Mrs. Thomason’s niece?  Cyrus struggled to find something to say, his mind racing as he tried to figure out how he could have been surprised by the sudden appearance of this woman.

Sensing his confusion, the woman decided to take action.  “I’m Melanie,” she said, extending her hand.

“I’m Cyrus” he responded, shaking her hand.  He was unsure of what to do next; he had never met a stranger before.