Free A Boy and His Corpse by Richard B. Knight Page B

close and whispered something in his ear that Alan couldn’t quite catch. James nodded.
                  “Oh, of course not,” James said. He looked to the two agents and then back to the President again before he sprinted out the door, closing it behind him.
                  Alan felt dizzy. He pinched his wrist, but he didn’t wake up. All of the random turn of events that had transpired in the last few minutes were really happening.
                  His father began to say something to the President, but the tall, slim man moved passed him and stopped in front of Alan. He towered over him.
                  “You must be Andrew,” President Rosewater said.
                  “Alan,” Agent Covington corrected him.
                  “Ah, yes, that’s right. Alan. Alan Chandler. And this is your father, Herbert. You must be awful proud of him.”
                  Alan stared into the President’s gray eyes with his mouth open. He felt exposed all of a sudden, like that dream where you’re naked at school.
                  “And this guy over here must be your corpse,” the President said, and Alan nodded. He had forgotten that Mort was still even in the room.
                  “What’s going on here?” His father asked, but the President ignored the question. He put his strong, firm hand on Alan’s shoulder and never let their eyes lose their connection.
                  “You must be wondering why I’m here, son,” Rosewater said. “Well, I’m here because your country needs you.”
                  “Needs him for what?” his father asked. “What’s this all about?”
                  When the President closed his eyes, his smile dropped into a frown. He turned to Herbert. “I’m sorry, Herbert, but could you step out the room for a moment? You’re making me…uncomfortable.”
                  Herbert made a move to leave, but then shook his head and held his ground.
                  “Where’s Mr. Rovas?” Herbert asked.
    Alan felt the President’s hand squeeze his shoulder tighter.
                  “I’m sorry, Mr. Chandler, but I’m not at privilege to discuss that with you right now,” President Rosewater said.
                  “What’s going on here?” Herbert asked, and the two agents moved in closer. Mr. Rovas told me you authorized robots to replace me. Is that true?”
                  “Herbert,” Rosewater said. “We’ll discuss that another time with Mr. Rovas actually in the room. Right now, I need to talk to your son.”
                  “About what?” Herbert asked again. Agents Heinzelman and Convington came forward and blocked his way. They formed a wall of black-suited muscle with their legs spread apart and their shoulders touching.
                  “Don’t do anything stupid,” Agent Covington said.
                  “Just let the President talk to him,” Heinzelman added. “We don’t want this to be a problem.”
                  “Now listen here,” Herbert said over their mountainous shoulders. “I’m not letting anybody talk to my boy without talking to me first.” His eyes turned sour apple green. “You’re in my house and will follow my rules. And—hey! Keep your hands off of me!”
                  “Calm down,” Agent Convington said, pushing Herbert back.
                  “Hey, leave him alone,” Alan said. His voice cracked.
                  Herbert pushed forward with magic, and all three of them toppled over each other. The President was trapped underneath the two bodyguards.
                  “Hey!” Alan said to his dad. “You okay?”
                  As both agents staggered up, Alan saw them reach into their coat pockets. In seconds,