Smartystan

Dr. Keija Frampton met up with a soror from California. As alumni of New Sweden University, the two met on the campus at the pizza shop Little Scissors.

“Hey, Lady,” Verona Gadney expressed upon seeing Dr. Frampton. She was an executive saleswoman for a major conglomerate in her State. Basically, they just smushed together various companies and made it one. So, ketchup manufacturers also sold parts to airplanes under the same umbrella. She wondered if she could still lead. She looked as black as soot and had soft features. Both of them often competed for the homecoming queen each year when they were in school.

“How have you been doing out in Cali?” Dr. Frampton asked.

“No, the question is how are you doing as a Founder of a new country-state? My state’s gone to hell.”

“As you know, you’re in a safe space. You don’t have to worry about roving bandits rustling along the hellscape that is the West Coast.”

“I feel so secure now,” Verona said. They both burst out laughing.

“So what brings you to Smartystan?”

“‘Smartystan’....I’m wondering why y’all landed on that name. Wasn’t it supposed to be New Delaware?”

“It was. Then we struck that down and went with the current title.”

“And you call yourselves ‘Smarties’?”

“That’s right.”

“Gotcha,” Verona noted. “So anyway, we’re desperate out there. We’ve exhausted every resource. Everything is shot. You know I’m with the planning committee for building a new California. I’m attached to help out the other bigs, Alaska and Texas, too. So, if you have any intel pertaining to reversing course and creating a new space for people to live, I’m open to anything.”

Dr. Frampton darkened. Her face contorted slightly and she clasped her hands together.

“I hear you, V, but I have to worry about my country-state. I can show you my way of thinking but I can’t think for you. Do you see? Nobody believed that the First State could be converted into its own country without succession. We did it, nonetheless. What you’re doing is putting me in a tight space….”

“I don’t mean….”

“Let me finish. I can only broadcast whatever you know about this place. The way the four of us ushered in a new nation together is sacrosanct. You will have to do for your state your own way of governance. You will have to do that with your own counsel. I can’t hold your hand and baby feed you every time, Verona. Do you understand?”

Verona looked out the window and remained silent for a good five seconds. Then, “I appreciate your candor, my sister. That’s why I flew out here. I’m one of the only people who can actually leave the state but on a visa. I think what you said is valuable. I’ll take it. I really respect it.”

“I’m glad. I’m not trying to hurt your feelings. I’m just letting you know I don’t put my own feelings before reason. That’s as far as I will go. I could help you with directing you to the right people. I could have you share all of the intelligence that we had to collect, but do you see how second-handed that all would be? You’ve got to do this all on your own. It’s actually much better if you do that. You’ll be happier knowing that you did it without assistance from me or anyone else.”

“True. I don’t know why I came out here….”

“Don’t do that.”

“I feel like a big old fool.”

“You’re not. You’re just mistaken. You’ve got the smarts. Hell, you’ve got the look. Just don’t waste anyone’s time, especially your own soliciting ideas on how to make a better world for where you live. I know it’s ugly out there. You just have to keep fighting for the money, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Girl.”

They both laughed. “I know what you’re saying. I didn’t want to do a virtual chat, I didn’t even want to work a phone. I wanted to come to you face to face and work all of this out while we still can.”

“And that’s alright. We know that we sorors can be rather collectivistic. I am a sovereign individual. And you are, too. What we may find in each is the will and the capacity to bring life to the other parts of this country. But you’re going to have to take care of home on your own.”

“I understand now.” Verona made a face of deep, sweet contrition. It was like she had put up wonderful moves on a chessboard but saw her king in checkmate against her sorority sister and friend. She held the face for just a while then her white teeth contrasted with her inky black flesh. Her broad cheekbones and wide nose and voluptuous lips all painted a picture of gorgeousness. Her great smile let Dr. Frampton know that her words had punctured through the mistiness of politics and self-responsibility.

“I truly appreciate you not bullying me or coddling me. You gave it to me straight. Thanks for that.”

“Who would I be as a Founder of the freest state in all of human history? Who would I be if I didn’t sit you down and tell you the facts?”

“You wouldn’t be Keij’!”

“I know that’s right!”

“Really though, I do extend my hand to you and congratulate you on all of your accomplishments. The merger with UltraMinds….” she makes a gesture with her hands at the sides of her head, imitating an explosion.

“Yes, I’m glad I got all the cents due to me out of a union with a fellow Founder and friend.”

“How is Belinda?”

“You should go see her. I know she wasn’t in our chapter, obviously, but she should remember you, nonetheless.”

“I hope so. She's a good person. I take everything you said as fact. I’m just so fortunate to have a friend in you and I’ll definitely find Belinda while I’m out here.”

“You do that and you do whatever it takes to be original and set on your path of excellence. Now, we better eat. Let’s remember those anchovies this time,” Dr. Frampton and Verona shared another laugh.