The Adventures of Alice and Max

Chapter 3: Alice and Max Stop for a Bite to Eat

Mr. R’s fantastical flying ship looked like your typical metal ship, with the cabin as the base. On top was the open main deck with the middle mast reaching high in the air, with a crow’s nest in the middle. It had all types of functions. Where the captain stood, there was a control dashboard that had all of the controls you could imagine: To steer, to open fire, to stealthily snipe an enemy, to stop and control the propellers with which the ship levitated in the air. There were many other buttons and switches that Alice had no idea what were used for. It was better that she didn’t.

Mr. R stood confidently at the captain’s dashboard steering the flying ship in the night air. He swerved up and down avoiding the many platforms that were set at varying levels across the dark sea. He finally managed to soar high above in the air and they plateaued. The ship was brought to a halt as they drifted slowly along. It had stopped raining and the clouds had started to dissipate. The sky opened up. It revealed the many stars hiding behind the clouds. They shone brightly.

Everyone took a deep breath as the kids sat down with their backs against the wall. They all sat in silence.

“How ya kids doin’?” Mr. R asked.

“Alright,” Max said tired. Alice was quiet.

“How’d ya kids escape?”

With a chuckle, Max answered, “Well, Alice led the way. Out the window. Passed some guards. Alice did some damage on a few.”

“Didja?”

Alice nodded.

“Well, I have no doubt, Alice.” He let out a laugh.

“Thank you, Mr. R, for getting us,” Alice finally said.

“Oh, you’re welcome, my dear!”

Max asked, “Alice, how’d you get Mr. R to come?”

With a sigh, she said, “I told Mr. R, to come at the last supply run. He was worried.”

“I was scared, frankly.” He chimed in. “I wanted to help her but didn’t know how to, but she had a plan and I agreed. It worked didn’t it?!” He laughed boisterously.

“Yeah, Max, I’ve been planning this for a while. It took me a whole month to gather all the supplies in this bag,” as she ruffled around in the satchel. “Yeah, those guards didn’t see any of that coming!” Alice shrieked with delight.

“Well, I’m glad you enjoyed yourself,” a little annoyed and jealous at her skills. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I knew you would talk me out of it. And that you would try and stop me and then you would get too scared and then probably give me up. I couldn’t let that happen. But I did wait for you, out in the hall.” That relieved Max. They looked at each other and then at the ground. Max thought of her as a good friend. Alice thought of him as a great friend but wished and hoped maybe there was something more. Walking around the ship, he looked out into the night.

“Mr. R, If you deliver supplies to them, how are you ever gonna show your ship there again?”

“Oh, I don’t think they knew it was me. The fog covered me, I think. Don’t worry, they weren’t worried about that or concerned at the time about what the ship looked like. Besides, I’m not planning on delivering there any longer. Got a new job.”

“Oh yeah? What kind?”

“Oh, delivering supplies just like I always have. It’s a government job. I work for the Queen now. Enough locally sourced materials. Now’s the time to move up in the world,” he announced proudly.

They both stared, not knowing much about the Queen. They only heard stories. They never knew anybody who had met her. She was a mystery.

Max lit up walking toward him, “Have you ever met the Queen?”

“No, not yet anyway, but I doubt I’ll ever get to.”

“What are you gonna deliver?” Alice asked. Mr. R turned away.

“Oh well, some medical supply of sorts. Medicine,” he said adamantly.

“What do you know about the Queen?” Alice asked.

“Oh, well, not much. I hear different stories from different guys. Some like her, some don’t.”

“Do you like her?”

“All I know is that she pays for my salary and that’s good enough for me. But the City’s not what it used to be.” Mr. R cleared his throat. “Well, now, if you kids need some shut-eye, get it. We’re gonna be stopping in a bit.”

“Where are we going?” Alice asked.

“Just a little detour. But first! Something to eat. You kids hungry?!” He roared.

Max spoke up, “Yeah, I could eat.”

Alice said, “Sure.”

“Alright, we’ll stop soon.” Mr. R started the propellers at higher speeds as the ship went off into the night.

Alice thought that a nap sounded like a great idea. She asked for a bed. Mr. R directed her to a spare bedroom down in the cabin. The cabin was simple. There was a bedroom where he slept, two spares, and a kitchen and living room all nicely kept. Alice took off her shoes and slept with her satchel on, ready for any adventure. She snuggled up in the covers and drifted off into a deep sleep.