Grandma Poppy's Hoveround hadn't been charged, so the only lackey available had to push it uphill. Unfortunately, the lackey was too weak, and the chair rolled back over her, leaving Grandma Poppy alone in Solomon's River proper. Suddenly, Grandma Poppy realizes her predicament: she has no other women with her, she's a wanted terrorist, and she's strapped to an uncharged personal mobility vehicle behind enemy lines.
H.A.L. tests his new powers over Nurse and finds she follows directions quite literally and seems limited in the number of steps any task may take. His instructions: find Dr. Scarlett, bring him to H.A.L. so H.A.L. may kill him, but don't tell him about the killing part.
Released from all local and Federal authorities, Frannie Mason isn't giving up on fishing. He quickly gets a catch: an angry merman whose girlfriend almost died when Frannie caught her. Not wanting to be berated by a fish, Frannie throws him back.
Doris awakes, tied back to back with Dr. Scarlett who is finally realizing the damage a "mere hologram" can do. A "jail cell guardian" arrives, and it becomes clear that H.A.L. has been attempting to create holographic life! So far, it's rudimentary and the graphics are poor, but it brings them a tray of German food. They eat and plot.
The voices taunt McShane, still wandering the maze under the hospital, about missing out on The Secret--it has already been taken! McShane is having none of it anymore. Discovering a ladder, he climbs to a window and leaves.
Doreen regrets losing her sister Lurleen, but basks in the new-found power of... The Secret!
- Can Rajiv rescue Princess Lakshmi from his evil twin?
- What will happen to the stranded Grandma Poppy, especially now that The Secret has been found by one of her followers?
- How does an underground cavern get a window, and what will McShane do, now that he's no longer hounded by spirit voices?
- Will Nurse follow H.A.L.'s directions? Can Doris and Dr. Scarlett overcome their poorly programed jail cell guardian?
- Is Frannie Mason in trouble with the Merpeople? Will avoiding water solve his problem?
