Season 1, Episode 6 - The Tree Plot II - "The 30-Minute Rice"

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MONDAY.

“Good morning, all!” Chuck Banner, New England’s favorite media host, smoothly announced over Isaac’s radio. “What a refreshing morning, though for all our listeners in the capital, take care - it looks like an autumn storm will be moving through the city around ten o’clock…”

Nodding his head to an imaginary beat, Isaac watched the slice of canned meat, now de-canned, sizzle in his frying pan, little bubbles appearing as the pan’s contents boiled.

“And we’ve got some news for you, coming right up. We’ll start this morning’s news segment with some events from abroad - and from who else? You guessed it, our perpetually plotting enemies in the Old World are at it once more. The German and English governments have officially lodged complaints with our Presidential Administration, accusing General Marco of the Champlain Army of funneling weaponry to independence movements within the Brunswick and Nova Scotia 'Mandates', which are little more than symbols of their neo-colonial empires.”

Isaac split a bagel into two, then dropped each side into his toaster - a very new Institute Toaster Buddy 5000, since Isaac wanted to buy New England - and pressed down on the switch.

“Such accusations made by London and Berlin are, of course, baseless and without any sort of evidence. Though, I do have to say, if I happen to meet any of those independence fighters in a bar, the drinks will be on me.”

Chuck laughed, and Chuck’s laughter was so infectious that Isaac laughed as well.

“And now, time for some local news. The annual Narragansett Bowl is set for noon this Friday, as Cambridge University and the Institute square off in what will likely be the true college football championship.” Chuck chuckled again. “Though, the winner of the Presidential War College - Naval College game might have something to say about that when they meet the Narragansett Bowl winner in January's national championship."

Chuck’s voice grew more solemn. “The two Rddhi academies announced that, prior to kickoff, there will be a special memorial service for the three Institute students who have recently been hospitalized by the new plague of our society - the dastardly, dreaded drug known simply as worm syrup. To all my younger listeners out there - if anyone ever offers you the stuff, have the courage to say no. I believe in you.”

When New England children don’t believe in themselves, they believe in Chuck. Isaac certainly did. He also briefly wondered if that girl Frances from his double date was anyway involved in that before being distracted by grinding noises coming from his Toaster Buddy 5000.

That cheerful quality returned to Chuck’s voice. “While the college game will have the nation’s attention, don’t sleep on Thursday morning's high school edition of the Narragansett Bowl either, folks. My daughter tells me those high school games can get quite rowdy…”

Isaac flipped over the Spam.

Rowdy, huh? Does Audrey and Reed sitting under a blanket, and us three guys talking about nothing in particular, count as rowdy?

He frowned. It wasn’t really nothing in particular, though. We were Team Red! To think that we lost…

Isaac knew he needed to move on, but it had been less than forty-eight hours since the Combat Simulation. He still felt the bruises and pains from his fight with Mackenzie. It was also less than twenty-four hours since his brother appeared and told him…well, all that.

I'm not really sure what to do here. And it’s not like I can tell anybody about his real plan to overthrow reality and what-not.

Isaac looked out his window; dark gray skies greeted him. A storm was certainly on the way; even inside, Isaac could feel the escalating tension in the air.

But I guess that’s what a rainy day off is for. I’ll just take it easy today, think things over, and move on tomorrow.

“...and while our men’s high school basketball leagues should be exciting, don’t forget about the women’s leagues. Reigning Bay League MVP Frances Nolan of the Institute High School is expected to set the league on fire in her second year, but freshman Claire Walsh of West Narragansett Technical Academy has also been the talk of the town…”

Isaac gently cracked an egg on the side of the pan, then watched the yolk slide into the pan, joining the Spam in his soon-to-be ready breakfast sandwich.

“I don’t know about you guys, but I, for one, hope the Christmas creep will stop its assault on the time-honored tradition of Thanksgiving,” Chuck concluded. “Thanksgiving is only four days away, so how about we get into the mood, New England?”

Alice’s Restaurant came over the radio - still kicking, two-hundred and fifty years after it was first recorded.

Well, it’s the only Thanksgiving song, when it really comes down to it.

The Toaster Buddy 5000 dinged as his two bagel sides shot up. Isaac pulled them out, bobbling them in his hands for a moment due to the heat, then frowning as he saw parts of the bagels seared black from the heat.

They call it the 5000, but it’s the first model they’ve ever made…no wonder New York appliances are so popular here.

Nevertheless, Isaac slapped pieces of cheese onto his canned meat, let them cook, then piled it all together on his sandwich. He also poured orange juice into a glass - all part of a healthy, balanced breakfast. With that settled, he let his creation cool off while he strode over toward the other side of the apartment, to look out the window.

A crisp breeze let the capital know that fall was sliding into winter, and gray clouds blanketed the sky. Isaac sipped his orange juice and observed that these weren’t any just sort of gray clouds - they were autumn thunder gray clouds. Summer storms were brief bursts of intense energy that could shake your entire house - autumn storms rarely matched that intensity. Instead, they spat out the rain, and that rain was cold. Summer storms were fun to watch from inside, and maybe even worth going out and playing around in, just for a little bit. Autumn storms, since the rain felt cold, even looked cold, made you just want to grab a blanket and wish that it was summer.

But that’s just how life goes. But, come to think of, there really is a ton I don’t know about life.

But that’s what today’s for! Today’s a thinking day. I’ll just hang around, do some self-reflection, take it easy-

The doorbell rang. Then rang, and rang, and rang and rang and rang and rang-

Isaac opened the door, knowing exactly who would be on the other side.

“Morning, Audrey,” Isaac greeted with a grin. Yeah, sure, she interrupted the morning solitude and peace, but she was his friend.

“Isaac, Isaac, Isaac!” Audrey exclaimed. Despite the cold, she only wore a t-shirt and shorts, but when those were combined with her sneakers and the sweat band around her forehead, Isaac supposed she had been exercising.

“I’ve been exercising!” Audrey yelled, her voice jittery. She hopped around on either foot. “This morning, I did my morning run, and I followed your advice and locked my door for once, but I forgot my key! My key, Isaac! My key my key my key! Can I use your bathroom?”

Isaac stepped aside. “All yours.”

“Oh, thank you!”

Audrey sprinted past him, making a beeline directly for his bathroom.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“By the way,” Isaac called out as he shut the door. “Did you check your pockets?”

“I’ll check them now!” Audrey exclaimed from inside the bathroom. “Wow…Isaac, you’re a wizard! A wizard genius! How’d you know they’d be here?”

Isaac took a long sip from his orange juice. “Lucky guess…”

Some time later, Audrey emerged back into his living space, looking refreshed. “Isn’t this something?” she proclaimed, twirling around in front of Isaac’s coffee table and couch while Isaac himself sat on the other side of the counter on his kitchen stool, eating his sandwich.

“What’s something?”

“This is something!” Audrey said, gesturing all around her. “Usually, we’d be on our way to school right now, talking about something that seems meaningless in the moment but will oddly become relevant later on, but right now, we’re talking in your apartment! Do you think any of this stuff will be relevant later on?”

“...I can’t really say I’m a wizard.”

Audrey poked her head through the other side of Isaac’s counter. “But maybe you will be!” But then she rubbed her chin. “Hmm…there’s a certain someone who should be joining us around now.”

Isaac finished his sandwich. “Don’t worry about it. I doubt she’d come over at 9:30 in the morning-”

The doorbell rang, and Isaac realized he made the mistake of tempting fate.

Well, she was his friend, too, so he didn’t mind seeing her either. But once Reed got somewhere, it’s not like she would leave - in fact, Isaac could already imagine her plopping herself right down on his couch, making herself at home, marathoning a Japanimation while complaining about it to Isaac.

Isaac opened the door. “Isn’t this a little early for you?” he asked.

Reed puffed out her chest in pride. “I’ve changed my ways, Isaac. I even took a shower before coming here. That’s how much I’ve changed.”

“...right.”

Reed wore her greatcoat as always, of course, but underneath it, she wore her black and green windbreaker. And her hair - Isaac saw the new style yesterday, but the newfound lack of shagginess still got to Isaac.

“And see?” Reed asked, stepping inside. She held two bags in her hands. “I come bearing gifts. In my right hand, I have a twenty-four episode Japanimation we’re going to binge on your television today. In my left, I brought breakfast.”

She gestured at a surprised Isaac and Audrey. “See? Usually, I’d be the ones asking you guys what you got for me. But now, it’ll be you guys asking me what I got.”

“What did you got?” Audrey exclaimed, peering into Reed’s bag. Her optimistic eyes quickly welled up in sadness. “Reed…all you have in here are two muffins…but you ate both of the muffin tops…”

“I saved you guys the bottoms,” Reed simply said, setting the bag down on Isaac’s counter. “I provide for my people, what can I say?”

Audrey rubbed her eyes as she glumly ate her muffin bottom.

“You gonna stay and watch, Audrey?” Reed asked, patting her hands down on Isaac’s couch, getting it ready for her to lay on it much like a cat would do.

“Unfortunately, you guys will have to go without me,” Audrey said. “I want to beat the rain, so I need to shower soon and head over to Lynn’s after.”

Isaac looked unsurprised, but still a little sadly at his muffin bottom. “Lynn’s?”

“My tree plot is in full swing!” Audrey declared.

Reed looked at Isaac in confusion.

“Tree plot?” she repeated. “Oh, is this the thing about planting trees and whatnot? I zoned out pretty quick when you explained it.”

“That’s alright,” Audrey said. “You guys are busy tomorrow anyway, right? Isaac said you guys are doing some sort of writing thingy.”

Reed gave Isaac a hard look, but sighed. “We’re meeting with a newspaper publisher.”

“Wow! Can I read your story?” Audrey asked.

Reed recoiled. “Maybe…maybe someday.”

“I’m looking forward to it!” Audrey proclaimed. “But since you guys were busy, I had to get creative. The Tree Plot calls for three people - so Lynn and Mackenzie were up next!”

Reed fluffed several of Isaac’s couch cushions for maximum comfiness. “What’s this plot all about, again? I know it has something to do with the State Police and or something in Russet.”

“The government finished building this new avenue there,” Audrey explained. “It’s one of those avenues lined with trees down the middle. Trees! Tomorrow evening, they’re gonna officially finish the building job by planting those trees. And to build bridges with the community, the Russet Military Police Captain asked Academy Rddhi users to plant the trees with their powers! Real symbolic or something, right!”

Reed shrugged. “I’m not an English teacher.”

Audrey kept going. “Normally, we’d be ordered to do this, but since it’s Thanksgiving Break, they made it voluntary.”

Reed looked at her in disbelief. “You willingly volunteered for something?”

“The best part about volunteering is that it’s voluntary!” Audrey seemed content with her circular logic and continued. “The second-best part is giving back to the community. But the third-best part...and this is the true reward of the Tree Plot…the Russet Military Police is giving us reservations at The Top of the World!”

“The Top of the World?!” Isaac and Reed repeated in unison, their eyes and hearts suddenly ablaze. The two looked at each other in amazement.

“That’s the best restaurant in the city!” Isaac exclaimed.

Reed nodded and made claw shapes with her hands. “They got lobster, Isaac, lobster.”

The two looked hungrily (and maybe a little greedily) at Audrey, who looked quite smug herself, her arms folded across her chest.

“Clam chowder?” Reed asked.

Audrey nodded.

“Big salad?”

Audrey nodded.

“Triple chocolate cake?”

Audrey nodded.

“Reed?”

Audrey shook her head.

“...leftovers?”

Audrey shook her head again and Reed muttered something and went back to fluffing the pillows.

Audrey gasped. “Heavens, look at the time! I’ll be back later tonight if you guys are still doing something, otherwise, be careful with the rain!”

With that, Audrey dashed off, leaving Isaac and Reed looking rather hungrily as she left.

“...you denied me lobster, Isaac,” Reed complained as Audrey shut the door and left them there. “If it weren’t for the publishing meeting, I’d be eating lobster.”

Isaac sighed. “You’ll live. I should’ve been eating a whole muffin, too, but life gives us what it gives us. And this whole publishing thing was your idea.”

Reed stretched out on the couch. “I want to see my name in the papers, Isaac. Or a magazine. Or across the front of a dime novel. Well, my pen-name, but you get the idea.”

"I should've known you were in it for the fame," Isaac supposed as he started washing his plate.

"How rude," Reed complained. She placed her hands proudly on her hips. "I told you, I've turned a new leaf. It's not entirely about fame, it's more about..."

Isaac thought he heard an odd pause in her voice there, but between the water running in the sink and a particularly tough stain on his plate that refused to come off until Isaac went nuclear on it, the odd pause drifted from Isaac's mind.

"What are you going to make for us during the marathon?" Reed asked, fiddling with Isaac's VHS player. She frowned when she saw Isaac gesture toward a bag of rice. "Oh, Isaac. Don't tell me you're going to boil your rice."

Isaac finished up with the sink. "How else would I do it? The Institute Rice Cooker is still in development."

"We're living in the modern age, Isaac. New York already has the answer to all your needs - the Staten Suihanki."

"You're just making words up."

Reed waved a finger proudly. "Once again, our friends in East Asia have come through for us. Suihanki means rice cooker in Japanese. They invented it, after all. But New York has improved upon it." She raised her hands as Isaac got a sense of deja vu. "With careful application of the Rddhi, you can make a sixty-minute thing of rice in thirty minutes."

Isaac wiped his face. "This again? We literally had to fight a microwave from New York last month."

When Reed shrugged, Isaac stared her down. "Don't tell me...you're still using your New York Minute?"

"And my Staten Suihanki," Reed added. "Look, Isaac, if I could have one-minute burritos - evenly cooked, I might add, no soggy, cold spots in the middle - and thirty-minute rice, and the only risk is being ripped apart by a psychic golem, I like those odds."

"They're prone to catching on fire, too," Isaac reminded her.

Reed just shrugged again. "That's why they invented fire escapes-"

A huge clap of thunder interrupted their conversation. Isaac even flinched from the suddenness of it; Reed just frowned at being interrupted.

The two looked out of the window and saw the first sprinkles of rain. All the signs were there - this was the first stage of a rapidly-approaching thunderstorm.

"Think Audrey will make it?" Reed asked.

"She should be on the train by now," Isaac answered. "Though the walk from Furukuwa Station to Lynn's apartment might be tough."

"Yeah, sucks to suck if you're a person out in the rain right now-"

The ringing of Isaac's doorbell interrupted their conversation. Reed frowned at being interrupted again.

"I wonder if Audrey came back," Isaac said as he made his way through the door. He looked through the keyhole.

"Is it her?" Reed asked.

Isaac went to open the door. "Funnily enough, there's an Adzinoki out there - just not Audrey."