Caller: "Good afternoon, sir, this is a federally mandated call. The government has commissioned a poll to establish the populace's opinions and tastes on several issues. The call should take no more than ten minutes. May I proceed at this time?"
Sandoval: Sigh... "If you must."
Caller: "Thank you, sir. First question, then. Of the three core subjects under consideration for addition to the national curriculum, which would get your vote? The History of Cartoons, Arrest Procedures - Your Role as the Arrestee, or, If women are from Venus & men are from Mars, why the heck do we have problems understanding the Taelons?"
Sandoval: Snort... "The cartoon one, of course. It should bring the grade point average up across the entire country."
Caller: "Thank you. Next... if, as the UN has proposed, national flags should be altered to recognise the world's involvement with the Taelon Race, what design do you think would be most appropriate for our national flag?"
Sandoval: "I'll have to decline to answer this one." I don't think the suggestion of a picture of Zo'or bouncing the world like a basketball while Thompson kisses his butt would go over real well.
Caller: "Should the government listen to the calls for a national memorial to the late Jonathan Doors?"
Sandoval: "Yes."
Caller: "National response to disaster appeals has fallen by twenty-eight percent. What suggestion would you give to both state and federal governments to encourage the public to dig in to their wallets?"
Sandoval: "Instead of another boring moral speech or dull as dishwater telethon, hold an adopt a Taelon session... it'd work with politicians too... make them servants for a day to the person that encourages their community most in the charity drives."
Caller: "What colour should be selected for the new commemorative money chip for the anniversary of the Taelon's arrival?"
Sandoval: "Black."
Caller: "What is the most important literary work of the past fifty years?"
Sandoval: "The books about the boy wizard... you know the ones I mean. He attends a wizard school during them."
Caller: "If you could be any vegetable at all, what one would you be?"
Sandoval: "A carrot."
Caller: "If you were given the opportunity to travel in time, would you take it? What is your reasoning for your decision?"
Sandoval: "No. The present is screwed up enough without visiting the past and finding more problems."
Caller: "And finally, are you a dog or a cat person?"
Sandoval: "Cat."
Caller: "Thank you for taking the time to respond to our survey, sir."
Sandoval: "Don't mention it."
The call disconnected and Street grinned, touching the control that would switch of the avatar that she had been using to disguise herself. Ronnie Sandoval was a lot zanier than he let on. Liam was next up. Wonder what answers he'll give.