The Night Sheriff by Foglio Phil

Author:Foglio, Phil [Foglio, Phil]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy
ISBN: 9781952825453
Amazon: B09LFQ18NZ
Goodreads: 59616376
Publisher: Prince of Cats Literary Productions
Published: 2021-11-08T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

I extrude myself from my sanctuary and pause. I can feel it. Something is different, but what?

It looks like it’s going to be another pleasant California night. The crowds ebb and flow in their usual patterns, but there is something odd. An out of place note in the overall symphony of the park. Bone Cat gives a yawn that looks like it would split his head in half and darts out into the twilight.

It is still a bit too bright outside for me to fly up and survey the park en toto, so I step out and extend my perceptions. The visitors are normal. A few wisps of vague dread about the cost of this vacation or fretting about the report they really should have finished that is still on their desk, and there is a ubiquitous, but low-level fretting about gas explosions, which makes sense, I suppose—thin fare to be sure, but until I know what is wrong, I prefer not to get too full.

Suddenly something that has been right in front of me snaps into focus. All of the park employees are wearing new badges. The first concrete sign of our new masters. It has a lovely holographic image of the Castle that sparkles as it tilts, but it seems like an odd expenditure, the old badges were still quite serviceable … The mystery clears a bit when I see another employee attempt to use one of the service doors, only to find it locked. They roll their eyes and dip slightly in order to bring their badge within range of a newly mounted reader. The door gives a gentle buzz, and they step inside. Ah, I have read about these. In addition to allowing only employees entrance to backstage areas, they can also tell security which employee is opening which door.

Initially I think this to be Mr. Donovan’s doing, in response to yesterday’s infiltration. But even a minute’s thought is enough to dismiss this idea. The paperwork alone for a job this extensive would have to be undertaken days—if not weeks—in advance, especially if you want it done within the space of a single day, which it appears that they have.

I debate whether to get my old badge replaced immediately, or to wait until I head down to my office after the park closes. On the one hand, I do not want to give the impression that I am worried about the state of my “job” (I fully expect to find my office—gasp!—locked), but on the other hand, I do not function in a vacuum. The security people that I work with are touchy enough about my status that they appreciate the fact that I bother to hew to the form of things, and actually wear my badge, pay my Union dues, and fill in my time card. This is one of those occasions when I want to remind people that I am a “team player,” plus I expect that no matter how tight a lid

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