“I believe I insulted you earlier. I assure you that wasn’t my intention.”
“I would hope not.” Her voice was curt. “I assume you wouldn’t say such things on your world.”
“Most women genetically sculpt their bodies, sometimes daily.”
“It must be nice.”
That was it. On this world, people couldn’t body-sculpt. They were stuck with whatever their genetic code gave them. Anyone might be sensitive about their body if they couldn’t change it.
“I’m afraid I’m not as familiar with your culture as I would like to be. I hope you’ll forgive me if I… stumble from time to time.”
For a moment she didn’t react, and he thought he got the euphemism wrong.
Then her shoulders relaxed as she gave a short sigh. “I’m afraid I also must apologize.”
“For?”
“It appears they are attempting to enter your spacecraft.”
“Yes, I know.” She cocked an eyebrow, and he smiled. “My ship makes me aware of anything going on within its vicinity. It’s unlikely they can harm it and impossible for them to enter.”
“Please understand we are merely curious.”
“I do understand.” He waved the issue off. “Feel free to examine the outside of the craft.”
“Thank you, Mr. Gold.”
“Jester.”
She put her hand to her mouth to cover a smile. “Yes, Jester.”
“Is something wrong?”
Her smile broke into a grin that became laughter. He couldn’t help but laugh with her. It was infectious. He could’ve stood there all day and watched her.
“Forgive me,” Sasha said, “but may I ask about your name?”
He’d expected this question. “You mean how it translates?”
She nodded, putting her hand to her lips to stifle another laugh. “So you do know what it means, then.”
“A clown.”
“As in a court jester.” She smiled meekly. “That’s what I thought of when I first heard it.”
“Only the most royal court, mind you.”
Her face lit up when she laughed. Enchanting, he thought. Just like everything else about her.
“To answer your question,” he said, “I knew my name was derived from old English, but that language is incomplete to us. It’s a surprise to find it spoken here.” He tilted his head. “It is English, yes?”
“We’re not sure ourselves,” she said. “We know our ancestors spoke it, but we don’t know how much it changed over the generations it took for them to arrive here.” She shrugged. “We may never know for sure.”
He nodded, and then they stood for a moment of awkward silence. He wanted the conversation to continue, but he couldn’t find the words. Every subject he could think of seemed inadequate or silly. It was peculiar, considering they were from different worlds. They should have plenty to talk about, but he was, as the expression went, tongue-tied.
What was it about her?
“So,” she said, “I hear you’ve been granted access to the city.”
He’d almost forgotten that. “Yes. I’m looking forward to it.” He glanced up at the city, which towered over the base. “Looks like it’s a long walk, though.”
“Maybe I can help with that.”
~~~~
The car glided down the rural highway, crossing into the shadow created by the massive city structure. If he had to guess, he’d say the city stretched upwards nearly a kilometer.
“Impressive,” he said. “I’ve never seen an arcology of this size, at least not planetside.”
“Arcology?” Sasha had remained quiet up until then.
He gestured out the window. “That’s what we call cities like this.”
“Your cities are not like this?”
“No. Individual buildings stretch pretty high, but our cities tend to grow out instead of up, mostly out of tradition.” He rubbed his chin. “All your cities are like this?”
“Each has a unique silhouette, but yes they all go up instead of out.”
“What’s this one’s name?”
“Capella,” she said. “After the captain of the vessel that brought us here.”
He nodded. She had her hands clasped together, as if to hide the fact that her palms sweated. Did he make her that nervous?
“So, how many people live here?”
“About fifteen million,” she said. “It’s fairly average in size.”
He knew from his preliminary analysis that there were in excess of ten billion people on this world, and yet most of the surface consisted of wilderness. For whatever reason, people crammed themselves into these giant structures. Likely, their ancestors had grown used to enclosed spaces aboard the vessels that brought them here. They probably felt more comfortable within the close confines of the arcologies.
The road connected with a larger highway, and in the blink of an eye, tall buildings surrounded them. Ahead, ground vehicles of many styles crossed multiple lanes at once, arranging themselves to allow others to exit onto side roads that lead into various districts. They moved through traffic with ease, traveling in excess of a hundred kilometers an hour. Even though cars were less than half a meter apart, they never touched. Jester marveled at the complexity of whatever system kept them from colliding. He glanced behind them. Somehow, the vehicle with security personnel managed to keep up with them.
Jester pressed his head against the window, looking up at the buildings around them. It was a contradiction that such an enclosed city could also be so open. The entire city consisted of multiple tiers that grew smaller at higher levels. Sunlight filtered in to most lairs of the city. Very few areas didn’t receive the sun. It was a remarkable feat of design as well as engineering.
The car veered to the right, exiting via a spiraling ramp that carried them upward. Artificial light lit the tunnel at intervals, creating a strobe effect inside the vehicle. The car emerged into sunlight a minute later. The road passed over the wilderness once more—at least, that was what Jester thought at first. Smaller buildings surrounded the tiny slice of wilderness, all of which was well above ground level.
“You built a piece of wilderness inside the city?”
Sasha nodded. “It’s called a park.”
“Yes, of course.” He recalled the word now, but he hadn’t put it together with what he saw. “But why?”
“People like to visit such places.”
“Why not just go out into the wilderness?”
She nodded out the window in the distance where the city edge was still visible. “There are creatures out there that will actively hunt humans. We have some areas close to the city fenced off to keep out most wild animals, like the area where you landed. Most people aren’t used to such wide-open spaces, though. Smaller parks like this are a sort of compromise.”
“Do you enjoy going outside the city?”
She shrugged. “At one time. Andrew…” Her smile disappeared as her hand went to her chest. “I used to go on expeditions well outside the city.”
Andrew? “So, you’re an adventurer, are you?”
“Not for a while now.”
“Why’d you stop?”
Her shrug was almost imperceptible. “I haven’t had the time.”
She stared at her hands as they rested in her lap. Shadows danced across her face as they passed under roads connecting levels above them. For a moment, her shoulders shook.
She then shook her head and looked at Jester once more. “Would you like to see it?”
“It?”
“The park.”
“Oh.” He could still see the park outside the window. “Yes, I’d like that.”
~~~~
The driver—Sasha called him Mr. Greyson—waited patiently in the car. The two of them went deeper into the park, surrounded by the security personnel that came in the other car. They kept their distance, but the lack of privacy still annoyed Jester.
Multi-story structures lined one edge. Jester coul
dn’t see the opposite edge of the park. On the other side, the higher levels of the city superstructure towered over the lower levels. For a second, a feeling of terror swept over him as he imagined the entire structure toppling over onto him. He shook off the irrational fear and tried to enjoy the beauty of the architecture.
People milled about, divided into couples. Each couple kept a respectful distance from the others, as if they sought privacy out in a public place.
He imagined he and Sasha alone together in some private room. The idea intrigued him, but not in the way it usually would when thinking of a woman. She was beautiful in her own way, but the feelings he had were different somehow. He couldn’t quite define it. “Is this the only park within the city?”
Sasha turned with a start at his question, wiping her eyes. Was she crying, or about to? She had been watching the people as they walked hand in hand.
“Oh, no,” she said. “There are others. There’s one not far from where I live. But Creek Park is the largest.”
“Creek Park?”
She pointed at a very young couple who strolled on a bridge that crossed a small stream. “The creek is mostly collected rain water. It carries it to lower levels for processing.”
“I see.” He gestured around them. “Are there always so many people around?”
“Usually it’s like this only on the weekends, but with the bliss so close, more people are out and about.”
It was that word again. He understood the word, but not the context. “I heard the prime minister mention it in his speech on the net. What is this bliss?”
Sasha turned. She regarded him with her head tilted. “The bliss?” She looked at a loss for words. “Your people don’t bliss?”
“I’m sure we do. We probably call it something else.”
She glanced at the security personnel. She spoke in low tones as if she didn’t want them to hear. “It’s… it’s the way in which we propagate ourselves.”
“You mean sex.”
Her face went crimson. It was such a strange taboo, but it was their world, after all.
“I didn’t mean to offend.”
“Oh, no. You didn’t offend me, it’s just…” She rubbed her hands on her dress. “Your people are rather abrupt.”
“We don’t have any taboos about such things, if that’s what you mean.”
“It’s not taboo, really. It’s just… private.”
Jester smiled. He wondered if he had made her too uncomfortable. If he had, would someone else take her place as her liaison? The thought worried him.
She gazed across the park toward a grove of trees. They looked similar to ones on his world, which meant they probably had a common ancestor.
“We have similar trees back home,” Jester said.
“They’re oak trees,” she said. “Our geneticists say they are virtually identical to those found on Earth, but who can say for sure? It was so long ago.”
The wind picked up and blew the loose strands of her hair across her face. She tucked one behind her ear. It was endearing. No, he didn’t want anyone to replace her. He wanted to live in that moment for as long as possible.
He started to say something, anything, when her face went ashen. She stared at him, and for a moment he thought he had offended her again. Then he realized she wasn’t staring at him, but behind him. He turned. People had gathered around them. There must have been a hundred people present, and more were arriving.
Sasha stood rigid, her hands gripping the edge of her dress so tightly he thought she might tear it.
“Sasha?”
She ignored him, staring at the crowd that now surrounded them. Jester put his hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him in horror.
“Sasha, what’s wrong?”
“I…” Her voice shook. “I need to go.”
The security team had already gathered around them, shouting into their radios. They kept the crowd back as it pressed in closer, asking a dozen questions at once.
“Do you like our world?”
Jester wasn’t sure who asked it, but he answered it. “It’s quite lovely, actually.”
“How long will you stay?” another asked.
“I, uh, haven’t quite decided yet.”
The questions continued. He swore silently. He was new to the idea of being a celebrity. The crowd didn’t look malicious, only curious, but Sasha reacted as if her life was in danger, and that was all the prodding he needed.
He took her by the arm. “We’re leaving.”
She didn’t resist at first. Once she realized the way to the car was through the people, she pulled back. Jester put an arm around her waist to steady her, only realizing after he did it that he might be violating a taboo. Instead, she relaxed in his arms as he guided her. The security personnel kept the crowd at bay as they moved through the crowd to the car.
Crowds didn’t bother him as they seemed to bother her, but her anxiety infected him. He wanted to knock everyone aside, angry at their pointless questions. He forced himself to remain calm. It wasn’t their fault. They were curious, nothing more.
“Excuse us, please.” Jester kept his voice as cheerful as he could, hoping it would placate the gathering crowd. “We have a schedule to keep. I hope you understand.”
The people parted, but only enough to get through. Sasha started to shake, and over the din of the crowd, he thought he heard her moan. It wasn’t much further to the car.
“Almost there,” he told her, but he didn’t think she heard, over the babble of questions coming from the crowd. He couldn’t see the car, and could only guess where he was going. Hopefully, the security personnel were guiding them in the right direction.
Soon, the crowd parted. Mr. Greyson stood ready by the car door. The security made a hole for them in the crowd as Jester continued to hold on to Sasha. As soon as the door opened, he pushed her inside.
“I’ll be right back.” He shut the door before she could say anything and turned to face the crowd.
One of the security team, a man in the nondescript suit, pointed at the car. “Sir, get inside.”
“They’re just curious. I’m going to answer a few questions.”
The man shook his head and turned back to the crowd, helping the other security personnel keep them back.
Jester stood with his back straight. They had a right to speak to him, as far as he was concerned. “I can answer a few questions, but we are in a hurry.”
The questions seemed mundane to him. How far is your world, how long was your journey, have you met such-and-such famous person? He answered them as best as he could, answering with an authoritative tone. Soon, the crowd calmed down.
After a few minutes of questions, he decided that was enough. “You’ll have to excuse us now. I’ll answer more questions in the future, I promise.”
“Mr. Gold?” A young woman stepped forward, waving her hand. She couldn’t have been more than fifteen. “Are you two…?”
She made a gesture with her hands he didn’t understand. Some of the people nearby either laughed or shook their heads.
“What? Oh, it’s…” He felt his face get warm. Some people laughed at his reaction and apologized on her behalf. Jester tried to cover his embarrassment with a smile. Based on Sasha’s reaction earlier, he suspected such topics were taboo. “That’s a little personal of a question, don’t you think?”
She blushed and mouthed something that might have been an apology. The question was innocent. He could understand why people would make such an assumption, yet it felt so personal, for some reason.
Was that how Sasha felt when he mentioned the bliss?
“I have to go now.” He waved and got into the car. The security team held back the crowd as Mr. Greyson drove away. Jester didn’t look back to see if the crowd followed them. He was too concerned about Sasha.
She sat facing him, her back to the door.
“Are you all right?” Jester asked.
She drew a deep breath, and let it out sl
owly. Her body relaxed with every breath. She removed her back from the door and put her feet firmly on the floor of the car.
“Yes, thank you.” She gave a quick shake of her head. “I must apologize. I don’t know what came over me.”
It was the crowds, he thought. Why, he didn’t know, and asking felt like prying. “I should’ve realized something like this might happen.”
“You couldn’t have known.”
“I should have. I’m responsible. I…” He let the words trail off.
The car jostled through traffic, to where Jester didn’t know, and he didn’t care. They sat quietly for several moments, not speaking or moving. They were alone together, just as he had daydreamed earlier. He hadn’t noticed before, but simply being there with her was wonderful.
How could someone be so mesmerizing?
After a moment, she gave him a weak smile. “I’m sorry.”
He smiled. “I’m sorry, too.” He held out his hand, a custom here as it was on his world. “Forgiven?”
“Only if you forgive me, as well.” She took his hand.
The warmth of her gentle grip was electric. He nearly released his grip, but he forced himself to hold her hand for a while, and when he let go, the feeling remained for a moment.
She turned forward again, the traces of a smile still lingering on her lips. The moisture from her hand remained on his. Normally, such excretions disgusted him, but all he wanted was an excuse to touch her. She kept her hands in her lap. In her right hand, she clutched something small. It looked like a bottle.
~~~~
Standing in Blessed Park, Andrew kissed her and said he had to leave. Sasha begged him to stay, but he shook his head. He said good-bye, and when she blinked Andrew was gone. In his place stood Jester.
“You have my condolences,” he said.
~~~~
Sasha opened her eyes. Bad dreams had haunted her since that day long ago, but this was one was different. There were no tears, and that longing feeling that kept her staring at the ceiling wasn’t there. If anything, she felt at peace.
She arose, pushing the dream aside and went about her morning routine. Analyzing her dreams did little good. The problem was clear. She just couldn’t do anything about it.
Out of habit, she reached for the thermostat to raise the temperature. It showed the usual setting she kept overnight, but she felt warm and comfortable. She left the thermostat alone.