“All right, Pink Floyd girl, I’ve been postponing this discussion because I know it’s not your favorite topic, but I guess this is as good a time as any to bring the subject to the table. We’ve been on this road for quite awhile now, sleeping in motels, stopping by gas stations, rest stops and small cities to get supplies and all. Now it’s time to bring new balls to the court, as we say in tennis.”
“When you finally get to the point, you know where you can find me. I’ll be the girl behind the wheel.”
“Where are we going anyway? What’s the limit? Are we ever going to stop?”
“Ahead, sky, not for the moment” Lily yawned. “Those are the answers to your three questions.”
“Right. You are aware of course that, at a certain point, we’ll run out of land and there’ll be nothing but ocean in front of us.”
“I considered that.”
“Ah please, don’t tell me this contraption can also turn into a boat!”
“I’ve never tried, but I don’t think so. But perhaps it floats. Daddy was full of surprises. I just didn’t try each and every button and lever in this thing because I’m afraid the seats can be ejected.”
“Do me a favor, please, don’t try each and every button and lever in this thing.”
Lily smiled.
However, an exaggerated billboard by the side of the road could definitely not escape their attention. It read
your destination is here, so is your destiny. Come to us and suffer never more
.
“A nice promise” Clark commented, gazing at the gigantic sign.
“And surely in big letters.”
“Yes.”
“It’s a little overdone considering the overall situation.”
As they drove, smaller signs appeared along the road, practically at every mile -
keep on going, we’ll take care of you; we can give you food, we can give you dignity; you are close, don’t stop now; you are almost there, be more than welcome
.
“They believe in signs.” Clark observed.
“I don’t like it, too much publicity.”
Lily had to stop. The road ended in two huge gates, so tall it was not possible to see beyond them. Equally big walls extended on both sides of such entrance until the eyes could see.
“What do you make of it, Lily?”
“I don’t know, mate. I mean, Clark.”
“It looks protected though.”
“Too protected.”
Loud noises resembling gears moving echoed through the air all around. The gigantic gates started to move backwards from Lily’s truck and some seconds later, they were wide open, revealing what seemed to be a nice, civilized village behind the walls.
“They’re inviting us in.” Clark realized. “It looks cozy.”
“I definitely don’t like it, too good to be true. What do you think?”
“I believe we’d better give this issue some thoughts before stepping in.”
“I agree.”
Lily turned the vehicle around and sped away from the gates.
“Only problem is driving around this thing.” Clark said. “Whatever is beyond those gates is goddamn big.”
“We try to find some back roads.”
“I hope there are gas stations on them.”
“There will be. Besides, I trust my dad’s wisdom. I wouldn’t be surprised if this rig could also run on urine.”
“Now that you mentioned…”
“We stop, don’t worry. Let’s just put some distance between us and those walls, whatever they are.”
“Okay. A thought just hit me.”
“What is it?”
“Maybe this rig can also run on alcohol, like those cars in Brazil.”
“Then all I have to do is breathe on the tank.”
Clark laughed boyishly at that comment. Lily couldn’t resist and laughed too.
Nick, Paul, Susan, Frank and even Becky were doing quite well.
Susan had always dreamt of becoming a teacher; then, Shane got her a position in a prime elementary school, within a very prosperous district in town.
Nick and Paul leaned toward architecture and civil construction. Because of this, they were allocated on projects to maintain protection around the city, also participating in futuristic plans to build more houses and expand the village.
“Those are the layouts.” Nick handled some papers to the chief engineer, a very nice, sportive boss by the way.
“Great!” He responded. “Perfect, that’s exactly what we need. You and your friend Peter…”
“Paul.”
“And Mary!” The boss joked. “Sorry about that. You and Paul will surely be a great addition to the team.”
“We’re happy to help.”
“You’ll fit in just fine. Now, take a break.”
“Really?”
“Yes! You surely earned it.”
“Thanks. Um, Mister Noble…”
“Yes, young man.”
“The structures to improve security along the walls are ready for shipment. Just say the word and I deliver them to our field personnel.”
“Oh, you just leave those on the patio, by the trucks. We have people to do that for us.”
“Okay.”
Frank became a competent system analyst. Computers, firmware and software were his passion. He did a very good job, between one videogame and another.
Becky was the fashion celebrity in town. Shane made her the main ad girl for a large variety of products, ranging from cosmetics to clothes, sometimes advertising even tools and general hardware. Pictures of her pretty face and sculptural body were all over town, on walls, public buildings and billboards. And she loved all attention received.
Like many other souls, in the middle of a growing hell, that small breakfast club seemed to have found their places in the sun.
After a hard and productive day in the office, even breaking some personal records on
Until Dawn
game, Frank came back to his apartment, way bigger than he needed, but he did not complain.
He was taking the t-shirt off when somebody knocked on his door.
“Great, just my luck!” He growled to himself, putting the t-shirt back on. “Better be important. They’re about to show the
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
, director’s cut, double gore version, on the local TV.”
He opened the door. To his incredible surprise, Becky was standing by the doorway.
“Hi.” She said.
“Um, hi” He mumbled the courtesy back.
And she didn’t need any invitation to come right in.
“I need to talk to you.” She said.
“Yeah, I mean… Okay. Why don’t you come on in?”
“I’m already in.” She spoke with a soft smile.
“Oh yes.”
“You’ve always had a crush on me, right?”
She was close, her well built belly almost touching his. Obviously, her voluptuous breasts were already compressing his chest. Such proximity caused him to break in cold sweat.
“Um, I…” He stammered “kind of.”
“You know, I’ve always liked you too.”
“You have?”
“Right from the start.”
“Jeez, I mean, you treating me like garbage since middle school really got me fooled.”
“No, I was a fool.”
She was nearly inside of him.
“Becky…” He stepped away from her. “Not that I don’t want to live up the American dream, and every boy’s dream for that matter, but are you alright?”
“Never better!”
She came to him again. He gave two steps back, but was almost touching the wall.
“Becky… What about Lucas?”
“He was a jerk.”
“He was? I mean, hey, don’t talk like this! He was my best friend!”
“He mocked you on your back.”
“He did?”
“He called you
pool naked wiener
.”
“Damn it! That only happened once and I was in my underpants! I wasn’t even in the pool!”
“Are you in underpants now?”
She took off his t-shirt so fast it made his head spin, in both technical and figurative senses. A second more and her hand was into his pants, her mouth and tongue running along his chest and belly.
“That’s right, let’s skip foreplay…” He whispered, already engulfed by waves of extreme pleasure.
Frank woke up next morning feeling the king of the world. And better yet, he stretched one arm to his left and felt his companion still lying in bed with him.
“Great!” He thought. “She actually spent the night with me after we had sex! I guess I broke another record today.”
And, to make his caldron of happiness overload even more, he soon found out she wasn’t quite sleeping. Becky turned around and mounted on him, their bodies touching in aphrodisiac contemplation. She brought his right hand to her left breast, while she kept her other hand behind her back.
“Good morning!” He said all so happy.
“Good morning, my darling.” She returned very softly.
“So, what else you got in your tool box just for me?”
“Now that I purified your inner side, time to work on your outer side.”
“What?” He frowned.
Becky put a cloth soaked in chloroform right on his face. She firmly compressed it with both hands against the boy’s nose and mouth. He struggled, desperately shaking legs, hands trying to take the cloth off his face, but all in vain, her grip on him was just too strong.
He passed out under the gorgeous, perfect body of his night companion.
“I hope you enjoyed my so precious gift to you, honey dear.” She spoke to the unconscious body. “Now sunshine will bring you redemption.”
Nick was taking a coffee in one more moment of relaxation when Shane appeared in the break room.
“Hello Nick.” She said. “How’s work?”
“What work?” He answered. “I almost don’t get to do anything, unless the very easy part.”
“You don’t like it?” Shane frowned.
“Of course I like it! What’s not to like? It’s actually a dream work.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“It’s just that… it doesn’t feel right. I don’t think Paul and I are contributing enough.”
“Do you like this job?”
“Well, I don’t think it’s about…”
“Just answer my question, do you like what you do here?”
“Yes! My call in life is civil engineering. That much I know.”
“So, that’s it.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You’re doing what you like the most, so to you this barely looks like work at all. Believe me, I talked to Mister Noble and he told me you and Paul are real hard workers, but you don’t realize it because your job is also your hobby.”
Nick pondered those words for a moment.
“Yes, you may get a point there.” He finally agreed.
“Don’t worry, Nick. I totally understand your scruples and I appreciate very much you having them. We walked a long hard road to make this place what it is now and we still have a lot of work to do. Believe me, we don’t take bums in here.”
“We’ll help the best we can.”
She smiled and went for some tea. Nick sipped a little more of his coffee.
“Um… Shane?”
“Yes?”
“Actually, I’m glad you stopped by, there’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”
“Sure, what is it?”
“How come I’m never allowed to visit the field personnel?”
“The field personnel?”
“Yes, you know, the guys who really get their hands dirty, the ones who actually raise the things I design.”
“Yes, I know who they are. I’m asking why you want to meet them?”
“Just to get a better grip on the reality of things and how the stuff is really done, maybe even help them in whatever they need.”
“Do you have any experience in field work?”
“No, but I didn’t have any experience in design matters either, only some knowledge I got from high school and from my family business every time I helped dad. But your people taught me a lot and I just thought dealing with some hammers and nails for a change wouldn’t hurt, also a great addition to my skills.”
“You never get tired of surprising me, don’t you?” She smiled again. “I know I said this before, but I’m sorry if I just repeat myself. I’m really lucky I’m bumped into you and your friends.”
“Do I get to know the field guys?” He asked suspiciously and impatiently.
“I can’t see why not! I’ll arrange everything with Mister Noble.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Shane made herself a chamomile tea. Nick finished his coffee, threw the paper cup in the garbage bin and headed to the door.
“Nick…” She called him.
“Yes.” He turned back.
She walked to him with the cup of tea in her hands. She drank a little and fixed eyes on him. He could no longer take his eyes off hers, as if some strange force was holding his head completely still, like nails attaching it to the neck.
“Listen to this, my dear…”
Then, Shane said:
“The sunshine springs, happiness it brings.
Those eyes you should follow, to keep away sorrow.
Seek the giant bird you must, on her you shall blindly trust.
For the good science you will urge, from all impurities to purge.”
All expression disappeared from the man’s face. Shane spoke:
“You’ll continue with your design work and let the little people fulfill their filthy; otherwise, so necessary duties. You’re not going to get anywhere near the field personnel. It’s better this way.”
“It’s better this way.” He agreed like a robot.
“Great!”
At that very moment, Paul showed up in the break room.
“Hello chaps.” He said. “What’s up?”
“Hi Paul!” Shane walked to him.
“Hey Shane. Hi Nick!” He talked to his friend over her shoulder.
But Nick kept looking stupidly at nothing.
“Hey dumbass, I’m talking to you!” He insisted and turned to Shane. “What’s with him?”
“Oh nothing” Shane replied. “He’s fine, very fine. Now, I’m glad you’re here, Paul. I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”
“Shoot.” He responded.
She fixed eyes on him and he hopelessly got lost in hers.
“Listen to this.” Shane said.