We walk into a room where a young man sits cross-legged on the carpet in the living room. He is about Justin’s age. His skin is white, his hair is ginger, and for some reason it is in an afro. He is wearing a colorful green and blue shirt with images of flowers on it, the front unbuttoned down to his bellybutton, revealing that he is in quite good shape. He wears light blue jeans and sits down on the carpet in what is apparently his own home. 

Some parents are in the other room with their children, which range about eight to fifteen, I believe. They’re eating right now.

“Where are we?” I whisper to Justin. 

“This is Sam,” Justin says with a smile. “Apparently, he’s like a guru and people listen to him talk. Oh, and you’ll like this, Joy, he doesn’t believe in listening to people in authority.” 

“Ha ha!” Joy nods happily. “He knows what’s right!” 

“Ah, Justin,” the man looks up at the strange group that entered his home: Joy, Justin, Charlie, me, and Master Mind, the huge and strange-looking robot. “I see you brought your daughter and a few friends. Oh, and is this your son?”

“I’m Charlie, sir,” Charlie says. “I’m not his son. I’m her friend.” 

“A true friend, there’s nothing more important,” the man nods sagely. “Sit, sit in front of me, the two of you,” he taps the carpet in front of him. 

“I’m Joy,” Joy volunteers as she and Charlie sit. Justin remains standing. Master Mind stands in the corner, and I sit on the sofa. 

“Yes, your father told me that you don’t like to listen to The Man.” 

“Who’s the man?” asks Joy. 

“I’m ‘the man’,” Sam says and laughs. “Just kidding. When I say ‘The Man’, I mean people in authority. The police. The government. People who want to tell us how to live. We don’t need people telling us what to do, do we?” 

Joy shakes her head while Charlie crooks his head, unsure. Joy’s eyes are sparkling. Charlie’s are full of suspicion. 

Is it dangerous to let this stranger talk to a girl who doesn’t follow rules and tel lher that she needs to follow less rules? I look at Justin, concerned. But Justin is smiling. He thinks he’s being a good parent now. That’s interesting. 

“Now listen closely, kids. I’ll tell you what I tell everyone. I’ll tell you what I’ve told hundreds of kids, but most don’t want to listen.” 

“What?” Joy says. 

“People begin to control you, by teaching you what words you can use and what words you can’t. You get me?” 

This time, Charlie is the one who nods. 

“So I want to teach you how to think for yourself, and the first step is teaching you the words that they don’t want you to use. Get me?”

Joy nods. Charlie doesn’t. 

“Let’s start,” he says. 

(To be continued…) 

—Told by Grampa Walt