a puppet show for the big kids-part 2

Socky woke up in his bed the next day, and having reflected on the previous night’s conversation, he felt that he understood quite a bit more of what was said. He was to be a representative to several non government lobbyists, and an organizer for special publicity events. Lacy would be one of his coworkers, and Stuffy would be his boss. 1

Stuffy brought Socky to work with him that day to meet the rest of the staff and learn more about what he would be doing. It was all so very exciting to Socky. So many people to remember. But apparently some were not so excited about him. Everyone in the office seemed to like him, but they were not the only people he would be interacting with.2

Buttons had left at a very inopportune moment it seemed. A very particular lobbyist group had been making a fuss over new puppet crafting procedures, and they were quite venomous towards new people from the government; especially new people who had been crafted by the very means that had been used to make Socky.3

Needless to say they were not thrilled to learn of Button’s replacement, and since Buttons was the only representative they would ever speak with in the past, much ground had been lost in appeasing them. As Stuffy had put it, oversight groups were a bitch to deal with.4

Socky spent a few days learning the ropes in the office, before finally visiting Stitch again.5

Socky waited on a cold blank slab in a cold blank room, without his customary black suit with lapels, kid shorts, black low quarter shoes, and tall white socks -they assured him the stockings were made from no puppet’s hide. So, in his skivvies, in a completely sterile room, (no chance of mites or moth larvae) he waited with only the ticking of a clock to keep him company.6

By the time Stitch came into the room, Socky had written a song to the clock’s tune. 7

Stitch opened the door quickly and glided into the room in his rushed and cold manner. “Good to see you again Socky,” he said, at a half second into small room. The door was already closed behind him, and he had come to an abrupt stop in front of Socky, seven feet into the room. “I’m not sure if you remember me, I’m Doctor-“8

“Stitch,” Socky finished for him. “I remember. You’re the surgeon.” Socky looked at the face, now without a mask. His uneven mouth gave him an amused and thoughtful look. He was friendlier looking than Stuffy, but his smile was hollow. There was no happiness behind it.9

“Yes indeed. You are developing quite quickly aren’t you,” it was not a question. “I’m sure you know a lot of people are depending on you. An unusual expectation to have thrust upon someone so young as you. But some of us are born into a lineage of greatness. Sorry, I don’t mean to bring up politics, it’s just that you were a very important project. You have the culmination of much research inside of you. I suppose I should see if it was worthwhile now shouldn’t I.”10

Stitch performed a series of tests on responsiveness, coordination, memory, cognitive speed and precision, and anything else he could come up with. He guided Socky through matching and choosing and arranging, matching some more and responding to lights and sounds, sometimes with paired with matching. After an hour or two, Stitch put away the speakers and lights and flash cards and many shaped blocks and folded his hands.11

“Alright Socky,” He began, “I have one more test for you. There aren’t any good ways of testing this, so I’m going to ask you some questions instead. How are you feeling right now?”12

“Feeling?” Socky thought about it. He hadn’t really thought about that yet. He had considered thinking about it, but he wasn’t really sure where to start thinking about-13

“Socky!” Stitch shouted, pulling Socky out of his daydream, “What exactly are you thinking about that is more important than this?”14

“I was actually thinking about this, Doctor. It’s just that. I don’t really know how I’m feeling. I guess I’m feeling alright, but, I don’t have anything to compare it to.”15

“Okay, I see the problem, let’s try something a little easier. How do you feel about the job you’ve been given?”16

“Excited”17

“And the people you’re working with?”18

“I. I like them. I guess.”19

“There are no wrong answers. But, why did you hesitate?”20

“Well,” Socky had to think some more to make sure he got it out right, “the non government groups, they hate me for no reason.”21

“They are afraid of what you represent Socky, it’s not your fault.”22

“What do I represent?”23

Stitch leaned back on his stool. After a moment of reflection, he said, “Change. Some people lack the kind of vision to appreciate what you are. You’re not the first of your kind, but you are quite special. You will follow in the footsteps of others, and you may surpass them. We’ll have time to discuss philosophy when you see me again in a few weeks. For now, I’d say you’re just about ready to start work tomorrow.”24

Stitch left him and Socky got dressed. Stuffy came into the office and sat down with him.25

“What did he say Socky? Anything good?”26

“Well, he said I could start work tomorrow.”27

“Beautiful, well, we’d better get you off to your new home.”28

“My,” Socky was surprised, he had expected to live with Stuffy for a very long time, like forever, or even longer than that, “My new home?”29

“Well of course, you’re my subordinate. Wouldn’t be fair and impartial if you lived with me. Besides, I think you’ll like freedom once you’ve grown used to it.”30

And like it he did. It took some getting used to, but after a week of balancing work and play, he discovered that he could stay up as late as he liked, and do whatever he wished. He discovered Bramble-wash too, and with it he learned the virtues of moderation.31

Work was getting difficult, and stressful. He had not been given much time before taking on a management role, and was starting to wish that he was not so smart. He needed to deal with non governmental types, and they were always such a bother. Especially one doll by the name of Mitts.32

She was staunchly conservative on the issue of new puppet creation techniques, and felt that the accelerated growth of the nails and cloth types was somehow depuppetizing and demoralizing the wonders of raising new puppets. She herself had four little ones, much older than Socky, or even Lacy, who were quite far from achieving independent thought.33

His greatest problem -bigger than his overstuffed and suddenly harsh boss, or his overstuffed political opponent- was the issue of a lobbying convention being hosted by Mitts’s group. Socky knew it would be full of propaganda, and slander, and logical fallacy, but he was more aware than the puppets he was trying to appeal to.34

He found himself eating takeout with Lacy and Pins -another puppet in the office- with only two short weeks to find a solution to this problem before he had more than just Stuffy to worry about.35

“What about a public address to counter it?” someone had suggested.36

“We’ve been over that idea, it will look weak; the government can’t deal with lobbyists just by stooping down to fight their every claim.”37

“Posters.”38

“You can’t solve an issue like this with posters, it’s too complex.”39

Socky had an idea, “Maybe it’s not too complex, maybe we’re just making it too complex. Why don’t we make it simple?”40

“What do you mean make it simple?” Lacy challenged him.41

“I mean,” said Socky, “What if we showed them just what can be done with the new advances? Why don’t we hold a debate, and a demonstration? At the same time.”42

“Enough theatrics, Socky,” said Pins, “What are you suggesting?”43

Socky got up off his couch. He was really excited about this idea. He needed theatrics to do this idea justice. “What if we held a debate. Not just about this issue, but about all issues, ethics, philosophy, morality, love, and the key is, the debaters will be Miss Mitts, and… me.”44

“You? Why you?” Pins demanded, “There’s a lot of people more senior than you, and why a debate about everything?”45

“Well Pins, the answer to both of those questions is the same. Because I’m junior, because I need to show everyone what I can do, But most importantly, because I am the very thing they are decrying. They say this would be robbing little puppets and dolls of their youth, of their morality, of their soul. But if I can show them that I am no different than any of them, they will have no logical or emotional arguments, and I’ll be a celebrity poster child for our cause. Sure there are those senior to me, but what if I showed them that I’m smarter?”46

“Can’t do it,” Lacy said flatly, “Not that soon. It’s a liability. We need to have Stitch look at you again to make sure you won’t tank us.”47

“That’s not a problem. I’ve got an appointment with him tomorrow evening. It can take as long as we need.”48

“I’m not so sure about this. I think we’d better talk to Stuffy about it. Besides, what if they decline?”49

“We call them out,” explained Socky, “They’ve been ‘inviting’ us to their gatherings with only hours notice for years. If they won’t have us now, then they’re hypocrites.”50

“Okay,” Lacy said, “But let me talk to Stuffy about it. He’s been edgy around you lately.”51

“Remember whose idea it was,” Pins said as he got up out of Socky’s chair, “I want no part in this.”52

Lacy followed him out, and closed the door.53

“I gotta tell ya Lacy,” Pins said quietly, “I thought you were going to buy into it there for a minute. You’ve been acting like…”54

“Like what?” she demanded.55

“Like you did with Buttons.”56

Lacy’s glare forced him away. He disappeared into the break room. 57