Printed Post issue 20 | Page 26

Mother Nature Ta kes a Brea k Cyan did a quick re-think about how to bring this meeting back to his original plan. He was angry and unnerved that all these people wanted in on it. CHAPTER FIVE Cyan slept little that first week. Mother Nature’s quarters weren’t comfortable. He had informed every department that all emergencies should be brought to his own quarters. It took days to inform everyone but now he was comfortable in the knowledge that he could be reached at any time of the day or night and sleep in his own bed. There was a table set just below the podium for the warring twins, Clime and the heads of the weather departments and divisions. Nine chairs in all. The auditorium seats were filled with worried workers of the divisions and departments. He spent a lot of time working on the plan for his Board of Management. He figured that trying to change the weather over the whole world in one hit would be a massive a job. He settled on Australia to begin the changes. Maude stood and demanded silence, rapping a wooden gavel on the table as she repeatedly called for quiet. As she regained her seat, Cyan stood. Someone in the audience booed. A few minor problems had cropped up during the week, but nothing he couldn’t handle. His biggest problem had been a complaint from the Springer. “Good morning,” he croaked, cleared his throat and continued stronger, “I am surprised to see so many of you here today.” Now that spring was in the south there was little moisture in the ground to allow flower seeds and bulbs to bloom. Cyan told the Springer to do the best he could. Hopefully within a few weeks he, Cyan would be able to organise more rainfall to help the flower sector. If not, the Springers would just have to wait and hope that the summer harvest was better. He looked at the nine, conspirators he presumed was the best word for them. “As many of you know Mother Nature has taken a leave of absence and I am here to run things while she is gone.” There was a nervous shuffling in the stands. Obviously not everyone had heard the news. The head Springer was not pleased by Cyan’s response, but he didn’t argue. Upon his departure the Springer passed the Cukie on his way to see Cyan. A sly smile on the Springers face revealed that he hoped the Cukie was going to get the same response he had just gotten. He was right! Cyan dismissed the Cukie the same as he had the Springer. “This meeting,” Cyan continued, “Was called in order that I introduce myself. I am Cyan. Now that you have all seen me, I propose that you get back to your work and the Directors and I can get on with ours.” The day of his Management meeting finally rolled around. Cyan woke early and enjoyed a hearty breakfast. He knew today was not going to be easy and felt that breakfast would carry him through the arduous day ahead. The auditorium emptied with cries of “What was that?” Again he looked at the nine, “In the boardroom, now,” he hissed, “I imagine anyone that wants to keep their position has no objections!” “I don’t get what just happened!” His first inkling that all was not well was when Maude informed him that the meeting was to be held in the Great Hall rather than the boardroom. And “Something is a foot.” The nine followed Cyan out of the Great Hall and down the corridor to the boardroom. No one said a word during the short walk. Once in the boardroom Cyan pointed to the chairs he had arranged around the rectangular table at the end of the office. It was set with water glasses and pitchers, pens and paper. Cyan frowned and asked why. “The department heads felt that some of the subordinates should be at the meeting,” Maude enlightened him. “After all,” they had argued. “Their job 26?V?B&R??F?P???R?( ??( ?6?BF?v??( ?6?B7??2?RF?????26VBBF?R?VB?`?F?RF&?R??VFRF????6?F???B6?FRF&?R?6WBv?F??7FV??w&??2WV??V?B?7??F???FVW'&VF??B?WB?B?WB6??v???F?Rw&VB???v26?VB?27??v?VBF?R6?'&?F? ?F?F?R????R6?V?B?V"F?R???6Rg&??F?R76V?&?vR?Rv2??'&?f?VB??B6?V?FVB??RF??W6?G2?bV??RvW&P???F?W&R?F?R???R??G&?VBF?vWBF?F?R6VB6??6W7BF?7????P?vF6?VBF?V?w&??rf?"?6?F????6??v???6??r??0?FV?W"??( ?f?"?WW26?RF?R??6??"?( ??R6??WFVB?G'???rF??&Vv????26???7W&R?7??f????&V6?VBF?R&6?7F?'2?B6??&VBF?F?P??F?V???RF?????26VB??VFR????2&?v?B??@?v??FW&VBBF?RF??W6?G2?bv?&?W'2&W6V?B?v??v0?'V????rvVF?W"?bF?W&RvW&R6????V??R??F??2??????( ?77V?R??R?????rv???6??VBF??2?VWF??r?( ??P?7F'FVBv?V?F?W?vW&R??f????6VFVB??( ?F????F?W&R?2&WGFW"v?F?6??G&????W"FW'F?V?G0?#`???