AZOTUSLAND chapter Sixty-One

That Saturday was meant to be unusual. Normally Jim would be taking Matisse out of town on a road trip so they were uninterrupted. But this Saturday was a part of Jim's plan as he outlined it in the staff meeting.

It was a community day.

All kids got free hot chocolates and honey rolls. They had scheduled a Beanie and Cecil marathon up in the Big Room for the younger kids and Ghandi was playing in the theater with several breaks in a modified Azotus movie event.

People were encouraged to bring potluck items for lunch. At 10 a.m. the Big room was pretty full Jonathan was entertaining the kids.

Down in the Theater Jim asked Manfred to introduce the film to a large crowd of about 25 adults and some older children, including Carver, Lucille and Matisse who sat next to her Papi and held his hand of and on.

"Oh so many good thank youus for coming," Manfred began.

"Sahib and I have met Sir Ben the Kingsley when hes was making The Sandy House in a great fogginesses! Indeed, Sahib in all of his great stature tackled the mans in his yard and was absconded by many polices in utter retribution."

Most everyone in the room had heard the story before, but it was entertaining and Matisse looked over and wrinkled her nose and said "oh Papi."

"Oh Matty" he said back. "It's a very silly story."

Then Jim yelled out "Manfred! Tell us about the dance you did for Sir Ben Kingsley when I was in handcuffs!"

And Manfred started to hop and chant "Ghandi-Gee, Ghandi-Gee, Ghandi-Gee," Then he sat on the floor and said, "Seriously, this is a great film about a wonderful mans who upchucked an empire with non-violence and loves. Sir Richard Attenborough, a child of the British Empire that was deposed made this amazing films!"

Then the lights came down and they started to watch.

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After Beanie and Cecil started in the Big Room, Jonathan came down and started to open folding tables and chairs on the main landing. He set up 1o tables and then some ones for food and drinks.

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In the film, when Ghandi as a young lawyer in South Africa is knocked down Matty looked up at her dad and he took her hand and whispered. "When we take a break you can ask me anything you wish." She smiled and settled back.

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During certain parts of the film people cried at different times.

River cried quietly when the refugees from Pakistan and India suddenly broke into violence. Ted cried when Ghandi sent away his minister friend because he was white but talked about how he, Charlie, would always be in his heart.

At noon they took a break and the children scampered out the door and up around the big steps to the picnic area.

Andy had set a desk, a small wooden one, outside the IC and under the eaves so he could join in. Still, this was Manfred's show.

Jim had been careful to start doling out new duties to various people. He had deftly given Roo a major raise and then shifted some major new responsibilities to her and the honor of really running, or being the heart of Azotus.

He had also invited Jonathan to occupy the Bunkhouse and had moved himself down to Silo 3.

He did not sleep in the bed, but he did blow up a mattress and with a sleeping bag he slept near the running fountain.

He told Maugham, that for the time being he could do what he wanted with Silo 1. Jim no longer kept any secrets.