Page 12 of Carler

Viv knew the youngster was trying to get everything she could out of her. She probably thought they were going to lock her up, and the food wouldn't be as good in jail as it would be at the casino. Using her radio, Viv ordered a couple more drinks.

"Do you have a high school education?" Viv asked.

"Yeah, they make you get one if your parents want to draw money for you."

"I know that's not true."

"Okay, so school was fun for me because I got away from home and got a decent meal. I also liked to read, although I know it's not the in thing anymore with games and all," Fingers admitted.

"Nothing wrong with reading. Did you try any college courses?"

Fingers shot her a look that said it all. "They threw me out when I turned eighteen. I was on the streets and didn't have any options. I was busy trying to avoid being murdered or raped."

"If you could go to college and learn to do anything you wanted to do, what would it be?"

"You must have a lot of time to kill." She rolled her eyes. "Fine, I'm on your dime right now. I always wanted to be a Park Ranger. You think that's a joke, don't you? Me, a big city girl in a park taking care of animals and watering plants."

"Why a Park Ranger?" Viv asked.

"When I was a kid, before my mom got hooked on drugs, we used to go camp out in a park near where we lived. I loved it, but I can't even remember the name of the place. All I remember is how peaceful it was and how much I loved playing with the animals they kept in an area called a petting zoo. They always say that if you find animals away from here, do not bother them because they can get mean and bite. They always ran away whenever we saw animals in the park, so it wasn't a problem. They seemed more scared of us than we were of them. Are you happy now that I've told you my biggest dream?" Fingers asked.

"What if I said that there was a way you could pursue your dream? That there was a place where you could get your needs met, go to college, and work assisting a Park Ranger part-time while you pursued your degree?"

"I'd say you were crazy. Why would anyone trust me after the life I've led? Why would anyone help me? There are people who don't need help they can hire instead."

"I didn't say it would be easy. You'd have to work hard, and trust would have to be earned. I just need to know if this something you really want to do and if you are willing to work hard to get it," Viv said.

Fingers still looked suspicious, as if she was afraid to hope that something good could happen. "I could give it a try. I still find it hard to believe you would give me this after I caused trouble in the casino."

"You were misled. How did Joe convince you of such a crazy theory?"

"He had pictures and seemed to believe what he was saying. It's a shame he left out the part about him being an ex-mob boss and crazy to boot," Fingers admitted.

"I'll need you to fill out some forms. We'll need your social security number because they use them here, too. You'll get a few days to settle in, and then you will start working with a Park Ranger. Classes start at specific times, and you must wait until the first opening before you can get in. That will be halfway through the usual semester. You will also get class credit for your work with the Rangers, and your job will be paid, although I'll admit I don't know exactly how much. You'll also get a room and a card to pay for restaurant food. The amount on it will be limited, and again, I will admit I have no idea exactly how much you get. Today, we'll put you in a motel room while everything else is sorted."

"Will I get a uniform?"

Viv wondered if she was worried about the uniform or wanted something to wear. "Yes, anyone who works in the parks has some kind of uniform issued to them. I believe you get three or at least three. I'm not sure if you get another clothing allowance or not. You may because there are some jobs that you probably don't want to wear your uniform for," Viv admitted.

"I can imagine several jobs like that, but that's okay. There are worse ways to make a living."

"It's an honest living, and you'll be outside often. I miss that in the work I do."

"I do like being outside, especially around animals," Finger admitted.

Viv hoped it would work out. Helping someone made her feel good, and it would help ease her guilt about Doug's death and her inability to do anything to help him. She led Fingers to a nice motel room. It was better than average because it had a kitchenette and a small seating area.

"I'll send you your application and other things you'll need. Meanwhile, make yourself at home," Viv offered.

She returned to her office, contacted personnel, and had all the necessary information sent to Fingers. It felt good to help another.

They needed Park Rangers, and Viv thought it might be better to groom one that would run through their own training process rather than getting ones already trained elsewhere. They would see in time if her theory was correct or not. Viv intended to keep an eye on Fingers and discover her real name. She didn't want to have to keep calling her that horrible nickname.

Viv felt a hint of light coming into her. It made her wonder if helping others could help erase some of the dark thoughts she had when she thought about her past. Maybe that was the secret to getting back to life? While she was helping others by trying to take out the bad guys, helping someone in person was so much more satisfying. The young girl could have a good life and turn everything around. There would be no more starvation, and she would have a warm place to stay. She would have money to buy clothing and other things she needed. All Viv could hope was that Fingers truly wanted to change her life and was willing to do what was needed.

Carler had been watching on his computer. It was something he often did. He knew some Earth women might consider it creepy, but he believed it was protective.

Viv's reaction to the young girl gave him hope that she would come back to the land of the living and begin to live life again. Nothing he had been able to think of could do it. Maybe it hadn't been his place to try to help her with that, and it was something she needed to do on her own. He hoped she would never realize that he watched her on his computer because even though he didn't know as much about her as he wished, he thought she might not approve.

---