Day 60: Freedom Is Foolishness

	Her phone was ringing early in the morning. Too early. At least, it used to be too early. Meggan felt more alive at night. Working during the day was like working a graveyard shift. Meggan flipped open her phone and said hello. A voice greeted Meggan, and then her eyes became glossy and her mind went numb. "You have done well, child," the voice said through the phone. "There are a couple of new legislations that will come to your desk today on safety and reduction of taxes. You will veto them and pass a new law that raises taxes and further oppresses the people, so that they remain in our control. You will explain the higher taxes is for education, but you will explain no more than this. Once you have finished your work, you will come to see me. Remember, Freedom is Foolishness." It slurred out of Meggan's mouth as easy as drool, "Freedom is Foolishness." The call disconnected, and Meggan's eyes blinked. It was as if there had been no call at all. Must've been a wrong number, she thought.
The government limo came to pick up Meggan, but once she got to City Hall she couldn't wait to run to the door. She knew she could have ran faster than the limo took to drive into town. That shouldn't be possible, but there it was. The impossible was beginning to be more and more normal for Meggan.
	There's normal, and then there's abnormal. Marlon had noticed something in his front yard that wasn't there before. It was a gnome, covered in snow. Was it a gift? Perhaps a curse? He wouldn't put it past this odd town to do such a thing.
Dillon smiled as he looked up at Yellow Wings. He wanted to tell her that something was wrong with his mommy, but didn't know how to communicate. He also couldn't understand what had kept the fear away from him whenever his mommy picked him up and glared at him with those glowing eyes and sharp teeth.
	Work was finished, and Meggan was ready to head home. No... she couldn't. She had to go somewhere first. She wasn't sure where, but her feet led her in the direction she needed to go. Her feet were fast and a mansion stood in front of her. Meggan thought she remembered this place.
Master Van Gould approached from the mansion and greeted Meggan. "You are prompt, very good. Come in for a spell."
	"Report on your progress today," Master Van Gould said to Meggan. "I vetoed the bills that you told me about. It caused a lot of anger, however I explained that it was for the need of education. They still grumbled, but it did quiet the anger," Meggan responded. "Very good," Van Gould said with a hint of laughter. "Of course, they will not get that education. They must never be allowed to leave to pursue any forms of higher education or receive any here. The people must remain under our control, and that money will be used to keep them here so that we do not lose our feeding grounds." "Yes, Master." Van Gould chuckled with a low growl. "Of course you realize that you will not be permitted to remember any of this conversation. You shall return to your home and act as though nothing happened after you left City Hall." "My husband. He could be a great asset to us." "No, child. You are not to turn him. We have other plans for Mr. Tempest."