Day One Hundred Forty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lyle plied me with questions upon my return. And all the more so when I ignored his queries and went straight to the warning from Grazie. We talked long into the night and picked up the threads this morning.

Then Lyle conferred with his leaders and at his request they freed us from all responsibilities in the field for the day.

We entered the east end and walked directly to the second avenue entrance, but found the gates still closed. We stood waiting and debating for some time. Then we both had the same thought – to check out the first district.

Its gates were now closed also, but tacked to them was an invite from Kip to meet there tomorrow.

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Day One Hundred Thirty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We paid a call on Kip today. We were encouraged that there was no difference in the way and manner that the gatekeepers treated us upon our passing through the second avenue entrance.

Kip confirmed all is at present status quo. He added that things will change upon Stan’s return. Stan promised to bring with him the benefits that Kip judges to be the great selling points for which the others traded their votes. And only then will they learn at what cost. He says they thought little about what might be required of them.

Kip asked Lyle if he would meet with his friend who is a co-leader on the avenue.

Lyle is open to any and all.

Day One Hundred Twenty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lyle had returned late yesterday empty handed.  He said it was as if the streets cleared out whichever way he turned.

We both trekked back into the west end today. He will again seek out the one who is above the know-nothing supervisor.

I sought out Kip. But he found me first. He was waiting for me in the second avenue entrance.

We walked back to his home, and he spoke the whole way.

Before going in, I sensed it, all along he’d been trying to misdirect me. I confronted him.

A nervous tic took over and he broke down.

His words tumbled out, not contradicting all he previously shared, but a confession of the fears that motivated him.

Day One Hundred Fifteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Before he left yesterday, Kip offered to help us contact the authorities.

So, our chores, being all caught up, both Lyle and I ventured back into the western end via the second avenue entrance. This time the guards sent us on our way with an escort. All the way to Kip’s house.

There, Kip disclosed to us that he is one of the authorities that we have been seeking. I was speechless, though Lyle seemed to take it in stride, hardly reacting at all. He just took to posing all the questions he could think of.

For his part, Kip was the gracious host, and soon had explained most things to Lyle’s satisfaction.

And suddenly things became infinitely more complicated.

Day One Hundred Twelve #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Since I have so much yet to cover in the western half, Lyle agreed to remain in the east end. He’ll finish the last projects in the home, and then attend to the unification of the Spirit-led in the wall district.

I tried the second avenue entrance into the west end (I wonder how many more there are). No problem getting in, though there was a restriction as to the amount of time I had before my required return. Yes, required return – I needed to be back in the early afternoon.

I plunged onward. Every query as to where the government was situated was met by gestures pointing ever more westward.

What happens if I overstay the stated curfew?