Episode 101

The Mutual Broadcasting System brings you another episode of Life in Hyperion.

Today's episode: "The Temporary Parent", Part 5

Last week, we had our 100th episode of the series.  We also saw Cy discover a baby outside the police station, left under the safe haven laws.  As the police department gathered around the child, Cy decided, rather than let the kid being moved around like a box, to enlist the services of what he called a temporary parent. 
As we begin this week, Cy has just asked his prototype temporary parent, Darlene, if she would accept the job, which she did, and the two are on their way to the police station...

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Cy and Darlene arrive at the police station and find that only Officer Grace is still at the desk, where the baby lays sleeping.

"Where's everyone?" asks Cy.

"Doing their jobs." says Officer Grace.

"I'm still around." says Thomas, sitting in a chair, next to the desk.

"I brought the temporary parent." says Cy.

"Darlene Harris, at your service." says Darlene.

"The doctor hasn't arrived yet. When the baby is deemed healthy, Chief McIntyre will allow you to take it home." says Officer Grace.

"Is there any paperwork to sign?" asks Darlene.

"Cy invented the role of temporary parent. It'll take awhile before someone invents the paperwork." says Officer Grace.

"That's when you know that an idea has taken off, when there's paperwork for it." says Cy.

"Is that the baby?" asks Darlene, pointing at the box.

"Yes, it is." says Officer Grace.

"She looks beautiful." says Darlene, looking in the box.

"That she does." says Officer Grace.

"Hi there, little girl. I'm your temporary parent." says Darlene to the baby.

"Look at that, already connecting." says Cy.

"I just hope the connection can be cut." says Chief McIntyre as he walks up to the desk.

"This is Darlene Harris, the first temporary parent." says Cy.

"Nice to meet you, Ma'am." says Chief McIntyre.

"It's great to have the honor of watching over this baby, for a while." says Darlene.

"Remember that, Miss Harris." says Chief McIntyre.

"Also remember that Darlene is to be in the running for adoption." says Cy.

"I keep that in mind." says Chief McIntyre.

"Thank you for this, Cy." says Darlene.

"No problem." says Darlene.

Some time later, the doctor from the county has arrived and is examining the baby quiet throughtly as Cy and company watch around the desk.

"How is she, doc?" asks Cy.

"She's doing fine. Did you give her any fluids?" says the doctor.

"I gave her a little milk." says Darlene.

"That's good. Just treat her right and she'll be fine." says the doctor.

"I can't believe whoever she came out of didn't want her." says Cy.

"Not many people want children." says Officer Grace.

"That's no excuse for throwing them away. Babies are people, not trash." says Cy.

"At least whoever it was was nice enough to leave it here." says the doctor.

"And that's the only good thing that happened to this baby so far." says Cy.

"What about me?" asks Darlene.

"I forgot. I do that sometimes." says Cy.

"I know." says Darlene.

"Well, she's healthy and ready to go." says the doctor.

"Nice to know. Now, I can take it home." says Darlene.

"What?" asks the doctor.

"An idea Cy came up, a temporary parent." says Chief McIntyre.

"What's a temporary parent?" asks the doctor.

"It's like a 24-hour babysitter. They have all of the responibilities of a parent but the job isn't permanant." says Cy.

"That sounds like a good idea." says the doctor.

"Also, the temporary parent can be considered a candidate for adopting their charge." says Cy.

"That could lead to large families quickly." says the doctor.

"Maybe we can install a limit once the idea gets off the ground." says Cy.

"We'll work on it, rest assured. I now release the child into the hands of the temporary parent." says the doctor.

"Thanks, sir." says Darlene.

"I'll explain this to my superiors." says the doctor.

"Include a letter of explaination from me." says Chief McIntyre, who then produces an enevlope from his pocket.

"Why give me this?" asks the doctor.

"Because any idea of Cy should include a letter explaining it." says Chief McIntyre.

"Thanks." says the doctor, who then leaves.

"The baby's all yours, Darlene." says Chief McIntyre.

"Good." says Darlene, who then picks up the box.

"I'll help you guide the baby to her new home." says Cy, who then leaves with Darlene.

"I hope Cy's idea doesn't ruin Darlene." says Chief McIntyre.

"In what way?" asks Officer Grace.

"I hope she'll be willing to give up the baby if she isn't selected to adopt the baby." says Chief McIntyre, who then retreats back into his office.

"Same here." says Officer Grace.

Meanwhile, Cy and Darlene are walking to her home. The walking slows down when Darlene decides to stop Cy in his tracks.

"I think we should discuss something." says Darlene.

"What about?" asks Cy.

"Conrad." says Darlene.

"I forgot about him. How are we gonna explain this to him?" says Cy.

"Do you have any ideas?" asks Darlene.

"Let me think for a minute." says Cy.

"Hurry up, before the baby awakens." says Darlene.

"I've got it." says Cy.

"What is it?" asks Darlene.

"I'll go in ahead of you and explain this to Conrad. When he's accepted it, I'll signal you to come in." says Cy.

"Great idea." says Darlene.

"I know that another part of my legacy will be surviving Conrad's reaction to him being a temporary uncle." says Cy.

"If you do." says Darlene as both get back underway.

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Tomorrow, we end another serial with Conrad being told of his new status in life, that of a temporary uncle for the county, and we'll see what he says about it.
 
Join us, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.
 
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