Major changes through the eyes of two women in a society that has transformed from democracy to monarchy.
The Power of Life
Jenny
It rained last night. Buckets and drops and waves of cool water poured from a wet grey sky that was like a blanket hidin’ our little valley from the rest of the world. The risin’ sun made the ridge sparkle like fairies had dropped diamonds all over its side. Kids on their way to school … or what they call school now-a-days … are laughing so hard as they slide down the side of the mountain in the rush of muddy water that flows over the road to town. I smile at how their little faces look, all covered with mud and fun, as fresh as the sun soaked grass.
I’d best get a move on. I don’t want anyone to think I’m just standin’ here dreamin’. That could cost in this world where dreamers are as illegal as undocumented immigrants. It’s been a long time since we gave up our dreams for a safe harbor in a country that stands alone outside the rest of the world. I shouldn’t be thinkin’ this way. I guess the rain or the grey skies or the way the humidity affects my bones has got me to ponderin’ about things I shouldn’t ever allow myself to remember. It’s not how we’re supposed to think. It could lead to mistakes that could cost me a lot. I’d best get my mind right before I get to the Mine.
I see little Bella coming my way. She’ll pull my thoughts out of the shadows. I call out, “Hey, girl, what’s up?”
She slides shifty eyes up and down my body, looking to see if I’ve gained any weight or look like I might have gotten something she didn’t get. She says, “Not much. I’m headed for the Mine to work. How about you?”
“Isn’t it glorious that the Mine is open and we have work to do?” I say the thing I know she thinks I should say. I don’t trust her. If I changed the dialogue by even a word, she’d be tellin’ the boss I needed some reeducation about the Glorious Mine. That’s why I knew she’d cure my wanderin’ thoughts. I’m a survivalist first.
She nods sagely, her face full of the arrogance of youth. We’ve all had that look on our face at one time or another. Most of us outgrow it with the passin’ of time, but I don’t know about the youngsters today. They may carry their arrogance to the grave.
She says, “It’s a fact. It’s a life-giving fact.” I knew she’d say the right thing. She wouldn’t know how to say anythin’ else.
We walk on together down the slippery path to the shaft where we’ll descend into the Earth to scrape out our living from the black walls of the cave. I always imagine the jungles and weird animals that existed when dinosaurs were walkin’ around this place. They died to give us the holy coal that keeps us alive. I’d like to see one of them alive, but they all died a long time ago. Now there’s nothin’ but rock and dirt around us.
When we get to the shaft entrance, everybody there is chatterin’ away like somethin’ special is about to happen. Bella pokes me and says, “What’s goin’ on?”
I glance her way to see if she’s serious. I hide a smile when I see her face has shifted from suspicious King’s Youth member to the countenance of a curious child. Then I remember she wasn’t at work yesterday. “It’s a visit from the White Palace. They’re supposed to be here today.”
She stares in awe at the scene before us. “Is the King going to be here?”
“Of course not. He never leaves the Palace anymore …” I hesitate when I realize what I’m about to say. It’s illegal to say anything not considered a compliment to the King. I add, “You know … because he spends every moment working for us.” I hate speakin’ somethin’ that’s not true , but it’s just the way it is these days.
Bella murmurs, “I know that … I was just hopin’ … ” Her face turns red as she realizes she’s spoken as if she wanted something other than what has been given to us. “I mean … I was hopin’ for a day as good as the one that just passed. I’m sure we’ll have that, praise the King.”
I nod. I’m more interested in what’s goin’ on in front of us than on what she’s babblin’ about. She’s just a youngster. She doesn’t remember the old days like I do. To be honest, she didn’t even have a chance to learn how to think anythin’ different from what’s been spoon-fed to her. They don’t teach about all the pretty words and ideas we learned in the past, just the basics that will allow them to read the signs that rule everybody’s lives. Most are taught a trade and kicked out when they turn twelve like she was. Life isn’t about learnin’ anymore. It’s just one dreary work day after another. But today seems different. I haven’t seen people so energetic in many years. Our numbers must be up. Maybe we’ll get … what was it they used to call it … a raise … or at least a food bump. I feel my hungry gut rumblin’ as we move closer to the crowd. I keep my thoughts to myself. Thought is a dangerous thing.
Ceizu
I can’t stand moving through the streets, even inside of a cab. There are so many people filling every open space, some of them dead and some alive. The cleaners don’t pick up the dead for days sometimes. I know it stinks to high heaven out there even though I can’t smell it. Thank the King, all of the cabs are odor-proof. But you can see the stink on the faces of the others out there in the streets, especially the sick ones on the sidewalk. And the oozy stuff flowing around them … it’s disgusting! I don’t understand how they can live that way. I think I’m going to have to buy a Hover vehicle so I can fly high above the buildings. I can’t stand looking at this stuff anymore. After all, I work at the second-most important place in the country, the Citadel. We’re the people who make life livable for everybody else in the land. So we’re almost as important as the White Palace.
Something big is happening at the office today. I don’t know what but I overheard that something important would be announced today. I guess I’ll find out soon enough. The cab’s connecting to the entry-chute. Answers are just steps away. It’s kind of exciting to be in on things that have a big impact on the country. That’s what it’s like working in my office.
Oh, my King, there’s my sector manager at the elevator. I hope it goes on up before I get there. I don’t mind being a good sport like the King commands, but he’s grabbed my pussy every day this week in the lift. I’m still sore from yesterday, and I know I’ll never get away without a repeat performance if he sees me. I’ll just slow down a little and hope for the best.
Jenny
Everybody’s jostlin’ around at the shaft entrance. There’s a big television screen loomin’ up from the middle of a stage. I see Billy up ahead and walk toward him. We work together in the deepest part of the Mine. We get along pretty well … at least most of the time. I look back and see Bella’s still following me. I wish she wouldn’t. She only thirteen and doesn’t know much of anythin’ yet. But she’s from my side of the valley … so I decide to take her under my wing. You gotta stand for your people.
“I’m goin’ over to see Billy. He might know somethin’.”
Billy’s face lights up when he sees me. We’ve been courtin’ a bit. I could do worse. He’s a good man even if he’s a lot older than me and not much to look at. “Hey, Billy.”
“Hey, Jenny, it’s a good thing you got here in time. They’re about to start.”
“Start what?”
The Chief AKer’s face looms up above us on the television screen. I know this is going to be big. He wouldn’t be talkin’ to us if the King didn’t have a real important message.
Billy whispers, “They’re going to cut food again. I can already feel it in my gut.” He turns to me with real fear on his face. “And you know we’ve scraped every scrap of coal out of the Mine. They keep talking about opening up new section … but I know … there’s nothing else out there. I know this land better than any government geologist.”
I turn to my almost boyfriend with sharp words on my tongue. You shouldn’t even think things like he just said out loud. There’s power in words and sayin’ ‘em out loud gives them even more power. I turn and see the fearful look on Bella’s face. The power of his words has already hurt her, given her thoughts of hunger to come. I don’t want to scare her even more so I soften what I’m gonna say. I punch his arm and say, “Shush that nonsense, Billy.” I turn back to her and add, “Aw, don’t believe him. He’s just bein’ a cry-baby. This could be somethin’ real good.”
I see how Bella’s face changes as she realizes she might have somethin’ on Billy for just sayin’ what he thought. It almost makes me wish I hadn’t said a thing. I hate that she thinks that way, but I understand. She’s grown up bein’ taught that we can’t say anythin’ that doesn’t praise Country and King … and complainin’ is considered a crime. She’s probably thinkin’ she could get a morsel more of food if she turns him in. I wish I could think of some way to make her understand how bad thoughts like that are.
It’s not just that I want to protect Billy. In those days long ago, we would probably be married and I’d be at home with the babies. I’m twenty nine years old. I’d be considered an old maid back then if I weren’t hitched. Now I’m a Respected Worker. It sounds good … but I have to admit it doesn’t really feel good. I feel more like a slave than anythin’ else. I remember readin’ about that at school … how all the black folks had to do whatever they were told to do by white people who were their masters. I remember havin’ a nightmare the first time I learned about that.
I truly do want Bella to understand how much better it was to be able to think without the government controllin’ your ideas. I can remember when we could still say whatever we wanted. I’ve learned to check my tongue, but I wish the old ways were back. It was when we were makin’ America great again, that’s when they gave us all titles and told us we were heroes for workin’ in the mines every day. When the North and South Walls were finished and all of the ports were closed, everybody had to lend a hand. And we did. But it wasn’t because we were heroes. It was because we knew we had to do it or we’d get beaten up or sent to jail or somethin’. I can’t remember exactly how it happened. Everythin’ changed so fast after the King took over.
Uh-oh. He’s startin’ to speak. I better get my mind right and listen good.
Ceizu
I start the day with a smile. I was able to avoid an incident in the elevator with my sector manager. I’m told by my robo-assistant that I have a staff meeting and grab a cup of soy milk latte on my way. I’m ten minutes early but there’s almost nowhere left to sit. This must be a multi-sector meeting.
I grab the last seat at the table just as the General walks in. He only shows up when major changes are going to happen. No worry. My sector has been on top pf the pile for the last year. Nothing he could say will hurt us.
After shaking hands all around … including with my creepy sector manager … he stands at the podium. I lean forward to make sure I don’t miss a word. I have a perfect memory so I’ll be able to write a report without even taking notes.
The General smiles at the people sitting around the crowded table. “I’m here to congratulate you all on this stellar year.”
Tension I didn’t even know was there dissipates and I relax. Even though we’ve had a good year, you never know what might come down from the White Palace. I’ve heard lots of crazy stuff over the years, but it seems to have gotten worse lately. Some whisper that the King is losing it. Those who have access to forbidden radio broadcasts from other countries say our country is on the verge of economic collapse. Others whisper that the UN has issued sanctions against us for human rights violations. All of this is, of course, very hush-hush. Thank the King they haven’t invented thought detectors or I’d be in trouble for even thinking about these things. I shake my head to clear it and shift forward to the edge of my seat to hear the General’s next words.
“Even so …”
My heart goes into overdrive. What’s up? I thought production this year was great. What could possibly be wrong?
“We all know that coal has been the stuff of dreams. It’s what made America great again. It’s fed us well since we learned how to convert it to food.”
Everyone stands politely and applauds. It’s expected, but we really are proud of what our work has done. Coal is the main source of nutrition since we stopped growing crops during the Dust Bowl years. All imports had been banned by then. The King said Americans shouldn’t be contaminated with products from the shithole countries outside our borders. That’s all just history. And he’d always said coal would make us great again, but that was when his words came true . Coal was actually not that great as a machine oriented energy source, but then our scientists discovered how to open up the door to infinite food supplies hidden inside a grain of coal. America’s Manna, that’s what they call it. Most people would’ve starved to death without it. And this last year my sector has been responsible for all coal production in the country. We’ve pulled so much of the stuff out of the ground that everybody ate well. It may not taste great, but it’s listed as both a vegetable and a meat at every school cafeteria in the land. The factories where it’s transformed can make it taste like just about anything you can think of even though it‘s always just a little off. So far, so good. It sounds like we might be looking at a bonus.
“Unfortunately, our over-production has resulted in something we really didn’t expect.”
I feel a chill even in the rather warm room.
“It’s not every sector … we still have some reserves … but we’re shutting down the Mines where there’s nothing left on the walls.”
My heart is pounding. At the least, we’ll be looking at pay cuts. I’m at the top of the heap. My salary is only thirty percent less than the lowest paid man in my sector. That’s top pay for a woman. The cuts are going to hurt. Everything is so expensive since the inflation wars started last year. It costs nearly three hundred dollars to just take a cab to work in the morning.
The General smiles and continues, “I don’t want to worry you too much. We’ve got a plan in place that will take care of this problem. As you all know, nothing happens that the King can’t use to make our Country even greater.” He pauses for the applause he knows will come. Then he continues, “It’s going to take some sacrifices.”
I don’t like the sound of this. Sacrifices always start at the bottom. Women and minorities are always reminded how lucky they are to be here before they take the biggest hits.
“But there will be benefits too.”
That sounds a little better.
“Our scientists have come up with a new energy source that can be used to supplement the food banks around the country. We’ve had a special task force working on this for several months and the results look good. We’re closing down mine production and concentrating on a temporary solution until we can get the new system into play.”
Okay, sounds complicated, but we should be okay.
“We have some great news for all workers over twenty-five.”
That’s me. I just turned twenty-six. I could use some great news.
“Most of you are going to have the gift of early retirement. A few of you will have to stay on, but I promise you’ll be able to join your co-workers in the luxury of a work-free life once the transition is made.”
I like the sound of the word “luxury” but the idea of early retirement is a little scary. No one ever gets that. I don’t know one person who’s gotten to retire. It’s a word from the distant past.
One of my co-workers who hasn’t worked here for long and doesn’t understand office politics makes the brutal mistake of asking a question. He says, “What’s the new breakthrough that we’re transitioning to?”
Unbelievably, the General smiles. I can’t believe that guy got away with a question like that.
The General says, “Good question. We have been working on thousands of miles of natural food production farms and solar power generators throughout the western part of the country. Within two years, those centers will be capable of feeding the country. We just have to make it through to then. We had hoped that the coal would last long enough for the transition, but it’s just not going to be enough.”
The guy stands again and says, “So what’s the transition source?”
The General’s face turns a little red but he has an answer ready. “We’ve begun production, but the supply will only last a couple of years so the big emphasis is on the western production fields. Meanwhile, we’re taking steps to ramp up the transition source. There will be no problem.”
Emboldened by the new guy’s success with questioning, one of the other employees says, “But what are the coal workers going to do?”
The General clears his throat and glares at the new questioner. “Those people have given their lives to our production process. The King would never let the little guys down after he saved them from being forgotten by those at the top. We’re relocating most of the coal division’s Respected Workers and giving them an honorable retirement. All others will be placed somewhere else in the work force. That’s all for now.”
I can’t help myself. My curiosity overcomes my good sense and I call out, “Are the Respected Workers going to be retired at the same place we’re going?”
The General glares at me and turns to leave. I feel like an idiot.
Jenny
I never expected I’d reach what they call retirement. But the AKer told us all we’d done such a good job that we were being honorably retired to a luxury retirement center. They called out a few names and said those would have to continue working in the White Palace. I was sad when they called Bella’s name. All of the names called were the prettiest girls from the valley. I hope they’ll get to do somethin’ excitin’. They told us to go home and pack our things. Some of us said we wanted to stay, but they said there’d be no way … no food or anything. So we all went home and packed up what we could carry.
I’m on my way to the electric train station. They said we’d have a little bit of a crowd on the ride over, but we’d be thrilled once we got there. I’ll miss bein’ here where my mama and daddy are buried. But I guess I have to go.
Ceizu
I got chewed out by my section leader for asking where they were shipping the Respected Workers for retirement. He dragged me by my ponytail into his office and made me do despicable things to him for an hour. Afterwards I met Kirsten, one of the Real Solutions Workers, at the cafeteria. She told me they’re sending all retirees to the same Transition Center on the other side of the city, both us and them. I shivered a little when I heard that. I’ve never been close to one of them. It’s a little scary to think of sharing lines with those people. But I guess I can live with that for the few minutes it will be. I hear our retirees are going to a spa on a tropical island where we’ll have massages on command and real coconuts, something I’ve seen in movies but never tasted.
I got my final report completed so I’m headed home to pack up and then to the bus station for transport to the Transition Center. I wish I could take a cab, but they said no private vehicles would be allowed to connect to the entry shoot because of the large crowds they expect. I guess I can stand a public bus since I’ll be in spa-land tomorrow.
Jenny
They weren’t kiddin’ when they said it would be a crowded train ride. All of the rail cars are filled to the brim and they’re still stuffing people in. It’s standin’ room only. I think about going home and tryin’ again tomorrow. But when I look back, the gate is closed and guards are pushin’ people in the direction of the train. I don’t think I could get out of this place, but it’s probably a good thing. I feel like I’m already long gone. It’s time to move on.
I see Billy and suddenly everythin’s all right. We’ll stand next to each other and at least I’ll be smushed into someone I know. Maybe bein’ smushed into him won’t be such a bad thing!
Ceizu
The bus ride was bad enough. It was wall to wall standing room only. But it was nothing compared to this crazy Transition Center. I’m in the biggest room I’ve ever seen. It goes on forever and the forever room is jammed solid with bodies. There are trains dumping out people on every side. The bus I took was filled with people from the Citadel and surrounding offices. We’re all headed for paradise. But the train cars pulling up on the other sides are from the Mines, filled with older workers who are also retiring. They’ll be sent somewhere decent, but nothing like where we’re going. I heard they set up centers for them in between the massive farms that now cover the entire western part of the Country. Maybe they’ll actually do some work out there too. I don’t know. I am now officially outside the loop.
One thing I have to say is that the Public Cleaners have really been doing their jobs well. Maybe the busses take a different route, but I don’t think so. Anyway, the streets were the cleanest I’ve seen them in years on the way over here. So the government’s still working well even if our overproduction of coal did cause a little bit of a hitch. It’s nice to think that we’re that good. It makes me thankful and excited. I can’t wait to see what my government has ready to thank me for my years of hard work. I know it’s going to be great.
I feel like I’m standing in a forever room waiting forever for a ticket to forever paradise. Hey, maybe I could be a poet or a songwriter.
Jenny
I can’t breathe. I can’t even feel the floor. Billy is right beside me, but I can’t tell where his body ends and another person’s body begins. It’s like being stuck inside a can of coaladines. I’ve got my face pointed upward trying to get a breath, but the air is filled with other people’s breath … and that ain’t all. We’ve been in this car for hours and there’s no way to move, much less go to the bathroom. Some of the people around me have just let it go. The stench is terrible. I have to pee so bad I can hardly hold it, but I don’t want to embarrass myself, especially in front of Billy. So I keep holdin’ on.
Ceizu
It’s really remarkable that the government can transition this many people in such a short amount of time. I’m sure someone at the Citadel is in charge. That guy who asked the questions this morning said he was working on a transition. I wonder why he was asking questions. He should’ve known what was happening if he’s in the Transition Sector.
I just wish I’d worn something more comfortable. I packed my leisure clothing, but I wanted to leave the city dressed for success. I look smoking hot in my designer suit and six inch heels that cost me a fortune. Unfortunately, there’s nobody to notice, at least nobody I care about noticing. I was hoping to meet someone cute on the trip. It would’ve made the first days of paradise even more fun. Oh well, maybe once we’re separated from the masses I’ll spot the right person … or they’ll spot me.
Jenny
The heat is unbearable. I want out so bad. It’s all I can think about. My arms are so sweaty or maybe it’s sweat from the people around me. We’re all rubbin’ sweaty arms and legs together. It’s not at all nice bein’ smushed even against Billy, but I don’t know if I could stand if I weren’t held up by the wall of people around me.
I just realized somethin’. The slippery stuff on my arms and legs might be more than just sweat. Gross! The smell keeps getting’ worse. I went to a slaughter house with my daddy when I was little. This smells sort of like that. I think fear makes sweat smell worse than anythin’, and I feel like everybody’s a little scared about this change. It happened so suddenly, and so far retirement is nothin’ to celebrate. The smell of fear mixed with a little pee and maybe a dash of number two would put a damper on any vacation. But I’m not givin’ in to fear. I’m still hopin’ for a wonderful place where we can all live and be happy.
Ceizu
This is intolerable. I can’t believe the government I’ve worked for is this incompetent. I finally got to the front of the line and the person behind the counter gave me a card and told me I had to follow all of the other people going through the back portal to get to the transport. At least she was able to tell me that my bags were being forwarded to the spa separately so I wouldn’t have to carry them. All I have to carry is my overnight bag in case there’s a longer wait than anticipated.
But now I’m in another line moving toward a sort of entry-chute. It’s the biggest entry-chute I’ve ever seen, but it seems to be working well. People are moving through at a pretty good clip.
Jenny
We finally got out of the train. I almost fell down when the mass of human flesh around me started moving toward the doors, but I made it down the steps. Now we’re in this huge room and the guards told us to just keep movin’ and we’ll get where we’re supposed to go. They said we needed to just keep followin’ the people in front of us. We’re all movin’ toward what looks like a huge door that keeps openin’ and closin’ as people fill up the space outside of it. It’s movin’ pretty fast.
I finally make it through the door. We’re getting’ herded into another room. It looks like they’re separatin’ us when we get up to the front. I hold onto Billy’s sweaty hand. I don’t want to be separated from him.
When we get to the front, a guard grabs Billy’s shoulder and pushes him to the side. He says, “You go that way.”
I try to follow Billy, but the guard says, “No, you go the other way.”
“I want to go with him.”
The guard smiles at me and says, “No, you don’t.”
I’m a little perturbed. Who is some city guard to tell me what I want? I push past him and say, “I’m with him.”
I didn’t expect the guard to stop me. What does it matter? But he grabs me and yanks me into the other line. “No, you’re in the other group.”
“But I came with him.”
Billy says, “Yeah, we’re together.”
Other people around us are pickin’ up the cry. I feel a sudden rush of pride that country folk stand together even with all the new rules and everythin’.
The guard glances around and says softly, “You two will be back together before you know it.” He points at a stain on Billy’s pants and whispers, “He just needs a shower before he goes on to the new destination.”
Billy turns red and I know now where some of the odor came from during the ride. But I don’t care. “I need a shower too.”
The guard’s face turns mean. “You don’t qualify. He’ll be back with you in a few moments.”
Billy is pulled away toward another door. I give up and go with the crowd. I tell myself we’ll get back together once his shower is over. The people around me start stumblin’ toward another big door. I look back and see Billy goin’ through some doors into another room. Then he’s gone and I go through the big doors.
I’m surprised. I figured it would be just another room, but it’s not. I’m outside standing on concrete with the sun heatin’ up the crowd. The guards are pushin’ us out onto what looks like a big city sidewalk. Everybody is walking on. The guards tell us to keep walkin’ and we’d know it when we got to the place we need to be to get on the train to the West where we’ll be livin’. Once we’re out on the sidewalk, I move aside to wait for Billy.
Ceizu
I don’t understand the logic of sending two huge groups of people headed for different destinations through the same line. I’m surrounded with people I know didn’t work at the Citadel. There’s no way out except through the same entry-chute so I just move along with the crowd.
Finally I make it to the entry-chute and breathe a sigh of relief when I step through the door. It closes behind me as I realize it’s not like any entry-chute I’ve ever seen before. There’s no transportation vehicle attached. I’m basically standing outside on a concrete sidewalk. I turn to go back. This has to be a mistake.
A uniformed guard stands beside the chute-door. I walk up to him to ask about the mistake. He pushes me aside and says to keep walking and I’ll get to the right place.
I’m not buying that, but when I try to argue, he says, “Move on. Your choices are staying here and getting arrested or following the crowd to the Transition Center.”
“But I thought this was the Transition Center.” Something’s way off here. Nothing is making sense.
“You’re still transitioning, lady. Just move along.”
“But …” I stop my next question when he turns a gun in my direction.
“Move on.”
I turn and walk with the crowd. My heart is racing but I don’t want him to see it. This is bullshit and I’ve never taken anything like this from any man … except when I needed to. But that was different. That was just following the Good Sport Directive. This is about my life, about where I’m going to live. I feel like I should do something, but I can’t decide what to do. I keep moving. As soon as I turn the corner, I see I’m on the street that so horrified me from the safety of a cab only this morning.
In less than a heartbeat, a group of thuggish looking guys surround me and start touching me. It’s kind of weird. They seem more interested in the fabric of my suit than my body which is a little humiliating. One of them grabs my overnight bag. I try to fight back, but there are too many of them and nobody walking by even looks our way.
I scream as they rip my clothes from my body and take my shoes from my feet. They laugh at my discomfort. I’m prepared for the worst. I do what I always do when someone like my section leader forces sex. I make my mind go to another place. I’m waiting for it to happen when I hear another voice shouting. A country-looking woman is banging on the backs of the men shouting, “Leave her be.”
They turn and run away, leaving me in my underwear on a city street. So far, this retirement bullshit is even worse than sex with my sector manager.
Jenny
The people walkin’ these streets are mean and nasty. I’ve never seen filth like this even at the bottom of a coal mine. It stinks to high heaven and I can see hunger all around me. These people haven’t eaten in a while. I’ve known hunger, but not like this. You can see a huge difference between the people comin’ out the door and those just passin’ by. I wonder why I’m standin’ here in a place I didn’t know existed in the land I thought was bein’ fed by my labor. It’s obvious that those around me weren’t bein’ fed enough to keep soul in body.
A girl comes out of the door lookin’ prettier than anybody I’ve ever seen. She’s wearin’ clothes that make her look like a queen, I think I’ll ask her about why I’m here. She looks like somebody who knows things.
A group of hungry-lookin’ men reaches her before I do. They’re out of control. I’ve never seen what they call rape, but it looks like that’s what they’re gonna do to her. I’m not one to stand by and watch another human bein’ get hurt. I run over and start whalin’ on them. They grab her clothes and shoes and run. Maybe that’s all they wanted. Maybe they can sell the clothes and eat. Even so, they shouldn’t act like that.
She still looks like a queen. Her underwear is like a silky dream all covered in lace. But her face is distressed. I try to sooth her, but she just keeps cryin’ like a baby. I know how to comfort a baby. I take her in my arms and hold her while she lets her grief out.
Ceizu
Even my creepy sector manager wasn’t as bad as those guys. I’ve never felt like this. I can’t stop crying. This wonderful woman is the only thing keeping me together. I don’t want to let go. She’s keeping me safe and alive and feels like she could be my mother or Mother Earth.
She pulls me over to the side out of the sidewalk traffic. I sit with her against a wall and finally stop crying.
“Thank you,” I say.
She takes her arms from around me and I feel vulnerable. I grab her hand. She smiles and squeezes my hand.
“Anybody would’ve done the same,” she says as she digs through a bag she’s holding. Her voice is musical. She has a strong accent that makes me think of mountain meadows.
I look around at the flow of people who don’t even seem to see us. “Well, obviously not.”
She pulls a muslin shift from the bag and says, “I brought my nightgown. I think it might be good to cover you up.”
I gratefully take the gown and pull it over my head. The fabric is sort of scratchy, not like anything I’ve ever worn, but I’m thrilled to be covered. “Thank you, again. You are my hero on this crazy day that I still don’t understand.”
“I don’t think I understand it either. I thought I was goin’ to a retirement center.”
“So did I. I was headed out for a tropical isle.”
“I was goin’ someplace far out in the west.” She smiles and continues, “I guess I’m still goin’ there. I think we’re supposed to just follow the crowd and we’ll end up at the center.”
“Yeah … that’s what they said. It seems pretty weird to me, but I guess we should just get in line and keep moving.”
She smiles yet again. I’ve never encountered anyone with a face as kind as hers. I don’t want to leave her presence until I get to the actual embarkation point for the spa island. I get up and start to walk, but she just sits there. She says, “You go on, I’ve got to wait for a friend.
I sit back down. I just feel safer with her at my side. “Who are we waiting for?”
“Just a boy from home. They sent him to get a shower because he …”
“He what?”
“It’s kinda embarassin’ …”
“Nothing embarrasses me.”
“Well … it was a strange ride here from the Glorious Mine.”
“You’re a Respected Worker then. I mean I thought …”
“Yes.”
“I heard you guys were going to a retirement center.”
“How did you hear that?”
“Well, I used to work for the sector in charge of … well, just about all aspects of management of the mine projects. I was also given a retirement when the mines closed.”
“Yes we knew something’ was up when the Chief Aker showed up on the management screen.”
“The Chief Aker? What in the hell is that?”
The country girl blushes and says, “You shouldn’t oughta use that word. It’s a real serious thing.”
“Sorry … I didn’t mean anything. But I never heard of an AKer, much less a chief one, and I would know … oh, wait a minute.” I begin to giggle when I remember a story from a few years before. Somebody made a joke at the office about what a King’s ass kisser the head manager was. An announcer said the chief ak was going to be speaking and a clip with that phrase was made public. The guys at the top didn’t want to admit what they meant so they made up a title that meant nothing … Chief Aker. I laugh harder when I realize the name is still being used. That’s just too rich.
The country girl looks at me curiously as I continue to laugh. I can’t stop. I’m overcome with laughter. I guess the day has just gotten to me.
` She says, “I always wondered what the title meant.”
I almost roll over I’m laughing so hard. Then I think about the ooze I’ve seen running through this same street and carefully pull myself together. It would be too complicated to tell her the story so I just say, “It’s like a manager or something. Hey, my name is Ceizu. What’s yours?”
“I’m Jenny.”
“So who is this boy we’re waiting for? Is he a child?”
“Oh, no … he’s older than me. I just call him a boy, but he’s really a man.”
“Oh, a boyfriend?”
Jenny blushes. “Maybe. We’ve courted some.”
“Is courting like … having sex?”
I can see she’s blushing again and I start to apologize. But then I see the guy from the transition sector who asked the questions this morning. He’s wearing a uniform … like all of the guards that were standing next to the exit doors. I squeeze Jenny’s hand and say, “I’ll be right back. I have to ask that guy something.”
I run over to the guy. He probably won’t recognize me in this rag I’m wearing, but I have to ask if he knows where I’m supposed to go.
I walk up to him and say, “Hey, I saw you at the meeting this morning.”
He jumps a little and stares down at me.
I think he actually recognizes me. That makes me feel good. He must have liked my looks to remember. “I’m supposed to be transported to a spa island and I’m not sure where to go.”
He turns red and says, “You’re going in the right direction. Just stay on the sidewalk.”
His red face makes me suspicious. “What’s up with this crazy transition plan? I don’t understand how it’s a good idea to put Citadel employees with a bunch of mine workers who are headed to a different destination. What’s up?”
He glances around and leans down. He whispers, “You’re right. It’s not a good plan. I wish I could help you … but I can’t.”
“What do you mean?” I remember his question this morning and a light goes off. “Oh, you asked what they wanted you to ask.”
He nods sheepishly. “I can’t believe … such a waste.”
I smile. I can tell he really likes me which is pleasing even under the circumstances. “Thanks but I need help not compliments.”
“Look … I’ll say you’re lying if you tell anybody this. But I always wanted to ask you out and I can’t believe they included you in the discards.”
“The discards?”
He looks like he’s going to keel over with fear as he glances around. When he sees there’s no other guard anywhere in sight, he turns back to me and says, “They’ve tossed you out. You’re going nowhere but to this street to live out an existence eating garbage until you die or get harvested.”
“Harvested? What …”
“I can’t say anymore. Just get out of the city. Don’t go the way they want you to go. Head in the opposite direction and don’t stop until there are no more buildings. You might be able to make it out there. You won’t on these streets.”
I’m in shock, but somehow not surprised. I know we’ve done some pretty bad things before. I say, “So I should go west?”
He nods vigorously. “Now.”
“I have a friend who I want to take with me.” I point to Jenny. “But her boyfriend was separated from her inside. They told him he needed a shower. Could we go in and get him before we leave?”
He shakes his head. “Good god no. Don’t even think about going back in there.”
“But she won’t leave without him.”
“She’ll never see him again.”
“Why? What did they do … what did you mean by harvested?”
He turns redder. “I can’t say.”
My mind is reeling. “Is this something to do with the transitional food source? They’re killing the older workers to feed the rest of us, aren’t they?”
His face is anguished. I know I’m right. All of the craziness falls into place. Jenny said the boyfriend was older. They must be harvesting the older workers first. They cleaned the streets to harvest those people too. That’s why things looked so different on the ride over. They may have already killed Jenny’s boyfriend and butchered him to serve on the tables of the safe households here in this great country that has closed its doors to the markets of the world. I whisper, “Why don’t you come with us?”
He wants to. I can see it in his eyes in that moment of truth. But then another guard comes up and says, “What’s going on? Is she causing trouble?”
The man who asked the wrong questions that morning answers them rightly now. He says, “No, she was just telling me she’s enjoying the transition and excited about retirement.”
The two men walk away.
Jenny
Ceizu is a really smart woman. I didn’t want to believe her at first when she told me Billy was dead. I refused to leave and sat on that corner for hours waiting for him to come out the door. She waited with me even though she said we were in danger every minute we stayed there. I’m still not sure how it could be possible that the government would do the things she says it’s doin’, but I think I believe her. Where could Billy have gone? How could all of those people be starvin’ when we were always told our labor fed the country as a whole? There was a time when I thought that all of the little people really were taken care of by the King. At least I wanted to believe it.
We’ve been travelin’ west for a while now. We don’t see many people. We started sleepin’ through the day and walking west when the sun sets. We’re far away from the city now so maybe we can change back to day time travel, but Ceizu is very careful. She says they might be lookin’ for escapees by satellite or plane. I don’t think we’re important enough for anybody to go to all that bother, but I go with what she says. She knows lots more than I do about things like that. I know how to get along in the country better than her.
This is different than the country around the mines where there was nothin’ left but dirt and rocks. We’ve seen pretty little streams and fish swimmin’ in those streams. I worked up a sort of net and caught a few of those fish. We cooked them over a fire. It was so good, the best food I’ve had in years. We’ve see a few birds. It’s worth the trip just to hear the sound of a cardinal chirpin’ again. I wouldn’t ever want to eat a cardinal. They’re just too pretty … like Ceizu. She’s a beautiful woman. I miss Billy sometimes still, but she makes me smile like I’ve never smiled before. I guess we’re a couple now. I never thought I could feel like this about a woman, but I do.
I don’t know where we’ll end up, but I feel free again and I know the power that bein’ alive brings. People always said the changes we made to America were important, that they saved our lives. I don’t think I ever really bought into that. It just seemed there was nothin’ else I could do. One thing I know now. Bein’ free is a lot more important than bein’ safe. We might get eaten by a coyote out here in the woods, but I’d rather take the chance and live on the land than stand in lines for fake food that never tastes good.
Maybe someday we’ll meet up with others. Maybe we could band together and really make America great again. Maybe we could be the beacon of hope in the world for all of those who want to feel the magical wonder of freedom. Maybe we could be what we were before the King came and turned greatness into fear.
Once again, I marvel at your words. You listed the story as fantasy, but I would prefer science fiction or humor, because it is such a satire. I tried to envision what would come next as I read, but I like so many stories like this that I have read or watched on movies and television, you took a new twist and certainly incorporated all of the "great" and "secure" principles that our fearless and fake leader has spouted as some kind of proper mantra for society. AKers caught me by surprise and was genius. Kudos!
The Kalugu is the third book in the fifteen book series, The Adventures of Lord Belmundus, a remarkable tale of others worlds, strange customs, beauty and warfare; and, in its grips, lands a young celebrity, who has the chaps to play the many parts t
The first book in the series takes place on Klairn, a post apocalyptic, yet provincial world where an elite core of Protectors keep watch over those who would cause harm. Becoming a Protector of Klairn is about as hard as making the Olympics on Earth
