The Encounter

by Philippa Jane Kingsley
 © 2010, all rights reserved.

Philip Prince stood nervously in the checkout line at Payless Shoesource, a closed box of red patent pleather 4" heeled pumps in his hand, his bags from the department store across the street in his other hand.

Masks

Each day as I rise from my bed
Daily chore I’ve come to dread
Which mask of mine I must wear
For God forbid my face go bare

Malfunction

The 3 laws of Robotics:

1. A robot cannot harm a human being, or through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm

3, a robot must protect its own existence, except where such protection would counter Law 1 or Law 2.

Matt, the engineer assigned to fix me calls me Abe. That’s when he isn’t using profanity. My official designation is ABEVE - 2110 - MU. The MU stands for mining unit, because that’s what I was designed to be.

"Terri, would you like to stay a woman, have an operation and complete the lifestyle change?"

I thought for a minute, looked into Debbie's eyes and said, "I totally enjoy being a woman. I love being taken care of, taking care of others, love the clothes, makeup, daily routine of being a woman. I think if there was no cure for me, I could handle being a woman the rest of my life."

Missii and Kayla situate the Felines they just hired, introducing them to the previous four Feline hires and the ten human warriors. This gives the house a combat force of 34, plus Missii and Kayla, with the weight heavily on the Feline side.

I Woke, Part 10

I panicked. My day started by going to the courthouse for the opening of the trial of the attacker of Allison Allen. I had been stuck in her body for months, and I felt my chance to get some justice for her was failing.

I had gotten a sneak peak at the Crown’s case against this young man, and without some miracle, I felt it was at best a 50-50 chance to get a conviction. Sitting in the courtroom while we waited for our case to be heard, I got a crash course in how our law works. It was very different from what the American TV shows portrayed.

Dreaming of Cheers Standing Up to Life: Book 3 Part 1 of 23 by Tiffany Shar

Foreword by Carla Ann

The door opened slowly. Inside, the elite Holden Coyotes Dance Squad is busy learning a routine. The girls are smiling despite the sweat and exertion. Two captains in front of the squad appear even more intense. Moving as sisters and leading by example they prod their team, their aim set on State or even National titles, lofty goals for their first year team. Tiny Co-Captain Tiffany Jacobson is entirely in her element and it shows. No one could watch and disagree.

Principal Henry watched, unobserved, as her friend Mandy Holt worked the girls. ‘She’s right, they have the makings of a championship squad.’ She smiled at the irony. ‘It almost didn’t happen.’ Weeks ago factions had allied to prevent Tiffany from trying out. The girl’s family and friends had to take their fight before the school board. Tiffany herself had finally laid matters to rest, courageously facing down her accusers at the meeting. She had merely asked for the same chance as any other girl. Luckily, the Board agreed. ‘Thank God for that. I’d still be trying to fill vacant jobs — certainly Mandy’s.’

She’d never seen a child blossom like Tiffany had this year. From bright, confused, and scared little boy in a world of bullies to this self-aware girl with so much talent; her transformation from pariah to pretty insider was amazing. Her authenticity made her a virtual friend magnet. ‘It’s worth the trouble she’s caused me. She has such great friends… If only her enemies will let her be’. She wondered what struggles and triumphs her small charge would see this school year. A lucky educator is blessed to mentor at least one student in their career whose intelligence, talent, and drive spurs them to great things in adulthood. ‘I wonder if she’ll be one?’