There was no mistaking Mr. Irving’s mood when he came home from work. Obviously, when the stopped truck drivers had reported their situation, Interflux had contacted the town, and the whole story had come out. Yes, there was a land strip that Interflux didn’t own. And no, they couldn’t buy it now, because somebody else had bought it just last week.
“Seven roads into that construction site, and every single one of them goes right through — ” his face contorted, “ — Antiflux!”
“Can’t you build another road that goes around this strip?” his wife suggested helpfully.
“It’s like a swamp up there, Mary. It would be easier to get a submarine through north of that lot. I can’t believe my ninnies didn’t think to check on a land purchase that was made thirty years ago! Now if we want to stick with the schedule, we’re going to have to deal with — Antiflux!”
Simon’s tone was casual. “It sounds to me like you people left something to chance.”
Mr. Irving was not amused. “Another county heard from! Don’t get smart, kid. The guy who’s running this whole scam uses the address of your school! Have you ever heard of I. Simon? We can’t find anybody there by that name.”
Simon studied the carpet. “It’s a big school, Dad.”
Mr. Irving snorted. “And that Town Hall! Those people are airheads! When brains were being given out, they must have been on coffee break, just like they are every time I try to phone! Do you realize that this one woman kept me on the phone half an hour before telling me she was the cleaning lady? Then when I finally got someone in charge, she wouldn’t shut up about a town vote on indoor plumbing from seventy-five years ago! And the laughing that goes on in that place! Let me tell you, those people know as much about running a land office as my behind knows about putting up stovepipes!”
Simon cackled.
“That’s enough out of you. This isn’t funny.”
“Sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean to make fun of your problems.”
“These aren’t problems,” Mr. Irving corrected him. “They’re nuisances. Like ants at a picnic. It’s a hassle, but eventually, you get around to stepping on all of them.”
The head ant was insulted.
From Son of Interflux. Copyright © 1986, 2006 by Gordon Korman. All rights reserved.
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